Join Us as a Community Advocate! If you're passionate about empowering individuals with disabilities and ensuring their voices are heard, this is your opportunity to make a real difference! As a Community Advocate, you'll play a crucial role in supporting people living independently or with their families, championing their safety, well-being, and independence. You’ll coordinate their medical and financial needs, provide vital self-advocacy training, and act as a bridge between them and their support networks. If you're ready to inspire change and foster an inclusive community, we want to hear from you! 

Position Summary:

The Community Advocate provides essential services to people with disabilities who live independently or with their families. The role is centered on ensuring the general safety and well-being of the person, coordinating and advocating for their medical and financial needs, and fostering their independence and self-advocacy skills. The Community Advocate also acts as a liaison between the Aspire team and the person, their family, their guardians, their medical professionals, their state caseworkers, and the community. The Community Advocate plays a pivotal role in people’s day-to-day lives, by ensuring their rights, safety, well-being, and goals are met. The role oversees a caseload size of a minimum of 5 people, providing weekly individual and group services and support, equivalent to 15 hours of billable services per person. 

Position Responsibilities:

The following represents the primary position responsibilities, but other related duties may be assigned to meet the organization's needs.

General Safety and Well-being:

• Monitor and ensure the general safety and well-being of people with disabilities.
• Provide support in daily living activities, as needed

Medical and Financial Coordination:

• Coordinate and advocate for the person’s medical and financial needs. 
• Assist with scheduling and ensuring transportation to and from medical appointments, appointments related to benefits maintenance, and grocery shopping. 
• Support people with budgeting and financial skills training. 

Skills Training and Advocacy: 

• Provide self-advocacy training to people with disabilities, empowering them to speak up for their needs and rights.
• Conduct community safety training to enhance people’s awareness and preparedness.
• Train people in using public transportation or other independent transportation methods. 
• Ensure living environments meet the required standards for health and safety. 

Documentation and Communication:

• Accurately document all activities, goal progress, and incidents in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. 
• Communicate regularly with the Aspire team, especially with the Life Consultant and Manager, who acts as the liaison between Aspire and the person’s caseworker and family. 

Reporting to this Position: None

Required Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Minimum of one year of experience working with people with disabilities.

Additional Licensing/Certifications:

• Valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Ability to obtain a CPR/First Aid certificate within 3 months of hire and maintain the ongoing certification, as required. 
• Ability to obtain and a Non-violent crisis intervention certification within 3 months of hire and maintain the ongoing certification, as required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Illinois-certified Direct Support Professional (DSP) certification within 4 months of hire.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Abilities: 

• Effective communication, advocacy, and relationship-building abilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish rapport with people from diverse backgrounds, including people receiving services, families, employees at all levels, and the general public.
• Basic computer literacy skills and the ability to document services provided in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. 
• Ability to maintain confidential information and professional relationship boundaries with people receiving services and their families. 
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently with minimal supervision.
• Commitment to the principles of inclusion, diversity, and equity.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Abilities:

• Experience in the medical field.
• Experience with documentation in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. 
• Experience in training others in the use of public transit, such as the Chicago RTA Travel Training program. 
• Ability to obtain and maintain PACE Certification
• Compassionate, empathetic, and culturally sensitive approach to interactions.
• Flexibility, quick problem-solving, and the ability to pivot priorities. 
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning and professional development in the field of disability support.

Aspire Values (POWER):

P = We believe anything is possible

O = We all own it 

W = We welcome everyone 

E = We evolve and try new things 

R = We build powerful relationships

Voted as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in Chicago!

We know that Together, We’re Better!

Aspire was founded in 1960 and is recognized as a leader in providing bold, pioneering, and uncompromising services to adults with developmental disabilities, their families and the community. In 2019, we joined forces with NorthPointe Resources to be one of the most recognized and respected disability service providers across the Chicago metropolitan area, Lake County (Illinois), and southeastern Wisconsin areas.

Full-Time Pay and Benefits (regularly scheduled to work more than 37 1/2 hours per week)

• Health Insurance
• Benefit Time (Vacation, Sick, Personal)
• 13 Holidays
• 403(B) Retirement Savings Plan with matching contribution
• Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Voluntary Insurances available

Aspire’s priority is keeping our team members and participants healthy and safe. PPE is provided and regular cleaning and disinfecting regiments are followed to maintain a safe work and living environment. Hand sanitizer is available throughout our facilities. 

Aspire is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Aspire is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities so that an applicant may complete the essential functions of a position. The essential functions of positions are outlined in a position’s job description. To request an accommodation or if you have a question regarding what the essential functions of a position are please contact the People Team at 708.632.5777.