Requirements:
- Eighteen (18) years old and has a high school diploma or GED; or
- Twenty-one (21) years old;
- Meets the personnel and training requirements established in Section 3 of SCL regulations
- Has the ability to communicate effectively with a participant and the participant’s family;
- Read, understand, and implement written and oral instructions;
- Perform required documentation; and
- Participate as a member of the participant’s person-centered team if requested by the participant;
- Demonstrates competence and knowledge on topics required to safely support the participant as described in the participant’s person-centered service plan
ALSO Has:
- Previously qualified or been credentialed by the department to provide community access services before April 1, 2017; or
- At least one (1) year of experience in the field of intellectual or developmental disabilities; and
- Completed a department-approved training program within one (1) year of application while providing community access services under the direct supervision of a community access specialist; and
- Meets the personnel and training requirements established in Section 3 or 10 of SCL Regulations.
Job Description
- A community access service:
- Shall be provided by a community access specialist;
- Shall be designed to support a participant to participate in meaningful routines, events, and activities through various community organizations;
- Shall be designed to empower a participant in developing natural supports.
- May be participant-directed;
- If participant-directed, may be provided by an immediate family member, guardian, or legally responsible individual of the participant in accordance with Section 10 of this administrative regulation;
- Shall stress training that empowers a participant in acquiring, practicing, utilizing, and improving skills related to:
- Connecting with others;
- Independent functioning;
- Self-advocacy;
- Socialization;
- Community participation;
- Personal responsibility;
- Financial responsibility; and
- Other skills related to optimal well-being as defined in the participant’s person-centered service plan;
- Shall be designed to result in an increased ability to develop natural supports and access community resources, including educational, recreational, religious, civic, or volunteer opportunities, with an outcome of:
- Less reliance on formal supports; and
- Greater reliance on natural or unpaid supports as established in the participant’s person-centered service plan;
- Shall have an emphasis on the development of personal social networks, membership opportunities, friendships, and relationships for the participant as established in the participant’s person-centered service plan;
- Shall be provided outside the participant’s home or residential setting and occur during the day, in the evening, or on weekends;
- Shall not duplicate residential support or day training services, or authorized therapies;
- Shall be provided to a participant with a:
- One (1) to one (1) staff to participant ratio; or
- Ratio of one (1) staff to no more than two (2) participants according to the participant’s person-centered service plan, if the participant invites a friend;
- Shall occur in an integrated community setting;
- Shall be an impact service, and the participant’s person-centered service plan shall define steps to decrease the provision of the service as the participant becomes more independent in accessing and becoming part of the community;