Community Services Coordinator

Community Services Coordinator (Case Manager / Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional) Department: Community Day Services Status: Full-time Who We Are At Sertoma Star Services, we're on a mission to empower individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness to reach their goals and lead fulfilling lives.

With a strategic presence in South Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, we proudly serve over 2,000 consumers through a diverse range of vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs. Sertoma Star Services’ roots trace back to the merger of two dynamic social services organizations, New Star and Sertoma Centre combining over 125 years of expertise in providing cutting-edge, person-first services.

Our united commitment is straightforward: to transform lives through delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities to those we support in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success. By joining the Sertoma Star Team you will have a unique opportunity to challenge limits and change lives.

Together, we can shape a brighter future for those we serve.

Your Role

As the Community Service Coordinator, you will coordinate services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities participating in the agency’s Community Day Services, Home-Based Services, and Residential Services programs. You will collaborate with individuals served, their families and guardians, staff members, Independent Service Coordination agencies, and other members of the interdisciplinary team to promote continuity of care.

You will also support person-centered planning, self-advocacy, community integration, independence, and access to essential services and resources.

Responsibilities

Build collaborative relationships with individuals served, families, guardians, staff members, Independent Service Coordinators, and other members of the support team. Promote self-advocacy by educating individuals about their rights, how to protect themselves, and how to report potential rights violations. Advocate for individuals who may be unable to independently identify or report concerns involving their rights.

Complete and analyze required assessments, which may include Personal Outcome Measures, risk assessments, rights assessments, support assessments, and other program-specific evaluations. Use assessment results to identify each person’s interests, strengths, preferences, goals, and support needs. Participate in the person-centered planning process and support the development of each individual’s Person-Centered Plan.

Advocate for outcomes that reflect the individual’s preferences and needs while promoting personal rights, independence, and community integration. Develop implementation strategies that address priority outcomes identified in the Person-Centered Plan. Monitor services to ensure they are delivered as outlined in the plan and revised when necessary to address the individual’s changing needs and preferences.

Prepare detailed reports, consents, and other required documentation within established timeframes. Maintain case files in accordance with agency, Illinois Department of Human Services, Medicaid, and Council on Quality and Leadership standards. Educate and support individuals and families in accessing benefits, programs, and community resources.

Assist individuals and families with accessing resources such as SNAP, Medicaid, Medicare, SSI, SSDI, ABLE accounts, therapy services, assistive devices, and medical services. Train and support Direct Support Professionals in implementing and tracking outcomes identified in each individual’s implementation strategies.

Collaborate with the behavior-support team to develop strategies that build skills and reduce behaviors that may interfere with the individual’s goals or well-being. Schedule and facilitate special team meetings when additional support or plan revisions are needed. Address concerns involving changes in support needs, refusal of services, behaviors, risks, or changes to individual outcomes.

Review incident, injury, and illness reports and communicate with the individual’s family or representative when appropriate. Participate in follow-up planning intended to reduce the risk of future incidents, injuries, or illnesses. Participate in professional development designed to strengthen knowledge, job skills, and program services.

Complete all required in-service training and a minimum of 12 continuing education units annually. Follow safe work practices and maintain a clean and safe working environment. Attend all agency-mandated training within the required timeframes. Maintain compliance with applicable licensing, funding, accreditation, and state and federal regulatory requirements, as well as agency policies and safety procedures.

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Home-Based Services Responsibilities Service Coordinators assigned to Home-Based Services will also: Complete service agreements with individuals and families to identify needed services. Ensure authorized services remain within applicable monthly and annual budget allocations.

Monitor compliance with service agreements and authorizations through home and site visits, as requested by the family and required by Medicaid. Support individuals and families with hiring, directing, training, and managing Personal Support Workers when requested. Residential Services Responsibilities Service Coordinators assigned to Residential Services will not be responsible for the Home-Based Services duties listed above.

They will also: Collaborate with nursing and residential teams to ensure individuals participate in required medical, dental, follow-up, and other appointments. Maintain required appointment and healthcare documentation in accordance with Illinois Department of Human Services standards. Provide support for initial medical specialist appointments when needed.

Provide the nursing team with documentation related to medical follow-up instructions and recommendations. Conduct visits to residential homes as required by agency policies and procedures. Monitor compliance with implementation strategies and other components of the individual’s Person-Centered Plan.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a human-services field required. Candidates with an alternative bachelor’s degree must have at least 30 semester hours in human-services coursework approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services to meet Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional certification requirements. Certification by the Illinois Department of Human Services as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional, or the ability to complete the required training and obtain certification within six months of employment.

At least one year of experience working with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or mental illness preferred, or the ability to obtain one year of qualifying experience within six months of employment. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively with individuals served, families, guardians, staff members, community providers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team.

Strong organizational, time-management, documentation, and follow-up skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accurate and timely records. Proficiency in computers and software applications, including Microsoft Office Suite programs. Valid driver’s license, current automobile insurance, and an acceptable motor vehicle record required.

Ability and willingness to travel to agency facilities, residential homes, community locations, and appointments as needed.

Benefits

Generous paid time off 12 Paid holidays Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans Employer Paid Insurance: Basic Life/AD&D and Long-Term Disability Employee Assistance Program 403(b) with company match Tuition assistance Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Ongoing training and development opportunities Health, Safety, and Culture Sertoma Star is an equal opportunity employer that embraces the uniqueness of every person.

Sertoma understands that in order for you to work effectively and be an advocate of inclusivity, we must foster an environment that is respectful and sensitive to persons of all gender identities and from every cultural, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and racial background. Our open-door, team-building concept supports both agency goals and employee success.