Special Needs Advocate

Broward Childrens Center; Pompano Beach (FL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Broward Children’s Center seeks a Special Needs Advocate to educate, guide, and coach families on advocacy for their child’s needs, including IEPs, ESE programs, and benefits.

The role focuses on expanding the Advocacy Program through community marketing, partnerships, and client outreach, with duties tied to ensuring access to services and supports for families.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience in advocacy.
• Minimum of one year working with children with special needs.
• Knowledge of special education law and the ADA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Inform parents/guardians of their child’s rights and suggest appropriate services.
• Assist families in preparing for IEP meetings and developing strategies.
• Review IEPs and 504 documents and accompany parents to meetings.
• Maintain case notes and track monthly program billing.
• Collaborate with Social Services to market the program and recruit clients.

Skills

Communication

Advocacy

Parent coaching

Program marketing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work

Experience with children with special needs

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Social Services - Pompano Beach, FL 33060
Position Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
Travel Percentage: Road Warrior
Job Shift: Day
Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services

Under direct supervision of the Social Services Administrator, the Special Needs Advocate is responsible for administering the Advocacy Program services.

The Special Needs Advocate’s role is to educate, guide, and coach parents to become their own advocate for their child’s special needs services, relevant to community support, ESE programs and IEP development, public benefits, and more.

The incumbent is to focus on the development and expansion of the program through marketing in order to grow client caseload.

Qualifications

Broward Children’s Center (BCC) is dedicated to transforming lives by providing specialized care to children and young adults who are medically fragile and developmentally disabled. Our comprehensive services range from 24/7 skilled nursing at our pediatric care facility to developmental education programs, therapeutic support, and family-centered services like respite care, social services, and in-home health support.

With unique programs including ABA therapy, developmental preschools, K-12, Home Health and PPEC outpatient care, BCC ensures each individual receives tailored support to thrive. Our team also takes part in community events, such as our annual 5K and golf tournament, creating a vibrant, mission-driven workplace.

“With your support, Broward Children’s Center (BCC) provides quality programs to infants, children, and young adults who are developmentally disabled and/or medically fragile through a continuum of services designed to meet the needs of children and their families.”

If you’re passionate about impactful work and a supportive team environment, BCC may be the perfect place for your career.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, Education or, equivalent combination of education and related experience working in the education advocacy field and/or with persons with disabilities. Minimum of one year of experience working with children with special needs. Knowledge of special education law, the ADA and the processes that govern special education proceedings preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida Driver's License
• First Aid/CPR
• HIV/Aids
• HIPAA

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Inform parents/guardians of their child’s rights and suggest appropriate special education services and programs to meet their needs
• Facilitate understanding of the child’s educational needs by explaining reports in plain/ native language to families and educators
• Help families prepare for IEP meetings, including considering goals, reviewing evidence and materials, and help develop strategies
• Review special education and section 504 documents, including student files, evaluation assessment reports, IEPs and Section 504 Plans
• Accompany parents to IEP, Section 504, and other school meetings and provide advice and assistance as needed throughout the process
• Work with parents to get their concerns heard by the district and help resolve disputes that may arise
• Educate oneself on relevant resources, benefits, support services, educational plans, programs, and trainings in the community and utilize this information to educate parents of children with special needs
• Promote community and institutional advancement by representing the rights, desires and interests of individuals with developmental disabilities with the community, educational institutions, and/or other relevant agencies and service providers
• Assist Social Services Director with network within the special needs community and community outreach to market program, establish and maintain relationships with community partners, and recruit clients
• Maintain accurate case notes on services delivered, develops service plans with parents, and tracks and submits monthly billing
• Assure that the program is in compliance with contractual requirements, utilization of program units, funding, Company policies and procedures and all applicable state and federal laws
• Collaborate with Social Services team members from other programs and departments to cross refer clients and ensure clients are benefitting from all relevant BCC programs
• Facilitates client access to community resources, including locating recreational activities, housing, food, clothing, school programs, vocational opportunities or services, life skills providers, and relevant mental health services; assists client to develop natural resources and make contact with social support networks
• Provide crisis intervention for immediate housing needs, medical, mental health and substance use issues
• Assists with the development, implementation, and administration of the Advocacy Program
• Assist with any community inquiries on all agency services, client referrals to community resources, and represent the program at occasional community events and/or presentations
• Maintains appropriate records and reporting for the Advocacy Program
• Seeks guidance from the Social Services Director when appropriate
• Attend all Social Services Department in-service training and community workshops/seminars when needed
• Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet the child and family’s needs which include evening (2-3 per week) and weekend hours as needed
• Other duties as assigned

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Florida Driver's License
• CPR and First Aid

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively to clients or employees of organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

Other Duties

Employee Childcare

• Step Up Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (Pre‑K up to 8th grade). We offer Private Therapy Services for those that qualify. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included.
• Early Learning Coalition of Broward County School Readiness Program (for children ages 1 up to 3 years old). Early Steps Therapy Services for those that qualify. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included.
• Employee Daycare (for ages 1 year through 5 years old), inclusive of breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
• Broward County Non‑School Days: We offer our employees childcare when Broward County has non‑school days (winter break, spring break, thanksgiving break), with the exception of major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas day, etc.)

BCC/CCC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.