Bilingual Newport School Liaison, Children with Special Needs

Rhode Island Parent Information Network; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 28,929 - 31,684; Full time

Job summary

The Rhode Island Parent Information Network is seeking a Bilingual Newport School Liaison to provide peer support to families with special health care needs. This role involves conducting family assessments, care coordination, and building partnerships with schools and communities.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, fluency in English and Spanish, and experience in special health care or education settings. This full-time position is based in Warwick, RI, and involves outreach and mentorship for families.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting families and individuals with special health care and/or educational needs required.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required.

Responsibilities

• Provide care coordination of services and supports.
• Conduct family needs assessments and develop care plans.
• Mentor families navigating the special education system.
• Assist in statewide system analysis and coordination.

Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Excellent organizational skills

Ability to provide a peer perspective

Advanced knowledge of education systems

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to present to audiences

Proficiency in computer and internet navigation

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health or related field

Community Health Workers certification preferred

Job description

Job Title: Bilingual Newport School Liaison, Children with Special Needs

Location: Rhode Island, Warwick, RI 02888

Position Type: Full Time, Shift: Day

Pay: $21 - $23 per hour

Job Summary

Bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) provides peer-to-peer support to families and children with special health care needs; completes family assessments; works with families to determine goals and implement a plan for achieving those goals; links families to an array of supports and resources; provides input regarding services and programs in RI and works to mitigate system barriers to accessing services. This CHW works in collaboration with Newport Public Schools and surrounding communities to increase family/school partnerships, and create awareness of parental/caregiver rights in the educational success for at‑risk students and those with disabilities.

Essential Functions

• Provide care coordination of services and supports while educating parents and primary caregivers in navigation of systems of care for their CSHCN, promoting person‑centered care and medical home model
• Outreach to referred families within agency guidelines
• Conduct a family needs assessment for referred families and develop an individualized family care plan as appropriate
• Identify family strengths, concerns, and natural supports; utilize motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to support members in achieving their goals
• Support each family in finding geographically convenient supports and services; collaborate with other service providers, helping families make necessary connections
• Mentor families encountering special education concerns, assisting families with navigating the education/special education system
• Assist families as they transition to independence /case closure; provide follow-up support as needed
• Assist in statewide system analysis, planning and coordination with state agencies, state and local boards, community-based organizations, and community rehabilitation programs
• Actively participate as an effective team member in assigned agency meetings and team meetings and make constructive use of individual and peer supervision/one‑on‑one meetings
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
• Ability to provide a peer perspective as an individual or family member of an individual with a disability, chronic condition, and/or special health care need
• Advanced knowledge of special health care and education systems in RI and other human service systems supporting families of children with disabilities and/or special health care needs
• Problem‑solving skills to facilitate empowering experiences and positive outcomes with families
• High level of interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills to interact on a professional level with diverse stakeholders, including parents and professionals
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and programs
• Proficiency in computer and internet navigation, maintaining and updating program related materials, reports and database
• Willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively with multiple constituents to carry out the mission and philosophy of RIPIN
• Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers, stakeholders, and professionals on RIPIN programs’ operations, mission, and focus
• Deep understanding, commitment, and ability to carry out the mission, vision, philosophy, and values of RIPIN
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office, computer skills to enter data, prepare reports and correspondence

Education and Experience

• High school diploma/GED required; Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health or related field strongly preferred
• Experience supporting families and individuals with special health care and/or educational needs required
• Demonstrated life experience as a consumer, parent or family member of a consumer with special health care and/or special education needs
• Demonstrated knowledge of RIPIN’s programs, mission and vision
• Experience working with and outreaching to diverse populations
• Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
• Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish required

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to talk or hear
• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, and controls, and reach with hands and arms
• Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand, and bend
• Required to have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time

Working Conditions / Work Environment

• Primary work location is a climate‑controlled indoor office environment; may also be required to conduct visits in private homes, climbing up to three flights of stairs
• Travel to Newport schools and to RIPIN home office required
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of a valid driver’s license, RI minimum requirements of auto insurance

EEO Statement

RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

This description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations required of his/her position. As the nature of the Agency’s work changes, so too, may the essential functions of this position.