The Arc Central Chesapeake Region Seeks Director of Person Centered Planning

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The Arc Central Chesapeake Region’s mission is to promote respect, create opportunities, and advocate for equal rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As we focus on person-centered planning, we are seeking a thoughtful, hands on-manager who will keep the needs of the Arc’s clients at the forefront of every decision.

The Organization

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region (The Arc) was founded in 1961 to provide services and supports to people with I/DD in Anne Arundel County, MD and has experienced a history of growth and expansion since then. We now proudly serve Anne Arundel, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Our organization is committed to providing superior programs and services to those with I/DD who are of any age and in any stage of their lives.

Our core values are evident in all aspects of our programs and services.  We believe that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities:

  • People First: Are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value.
  • Equity: Are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety, and security accorded to other members of society, and are equal before the law.
  • Community: Belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.
  • Self-Determination: With appropriate resources and support, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.
  • Diversity: Society in general and The Arc in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability.

We live our values in our programs and services which include:

  • Community Living
  • Employment
  • Family and Children’s Services
    • Respite Services
    • Educational Advocacy
    • Life Transition Series
    • Resource Guide (tailored by county)
  • Self-Directed Fiscal Management Services

The Arc advances all of our programs and services to individuals and families in five of the nine counties that comprise Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The Arc has:

  • 218 individuals supported in their communities and homes
  • 111 individuals enjoying employment and day services
  • 36 Employers
  • 144 Individuals and families served through the Family Support Program
  • 420 Individuals and families having fiscal control
  • 19 Children and families served through our Educational Advocacy Program

With a current staff of 425, The Arc is led by the CEO and a 13-person senior management team. We are governed by a 17-person Board of Directors, which includes self-advocates and family members of individuals with I/DD as well as community and business leaders. The current budget is approximately $30M. For more information about our organization, see www.thearcccr.org.

The Position

The Director of Person Centered Planning will work across the organization to implement a systems approach to person-centered planning in order to enhance The Arc’s programs and services.  This new position aims to develop an internal behavioral supports program and reduce the use of outside consultants. The goal for this position is to enable person(s) served to achieve their vision for themselves and support The Arc staff at every level to facilitate this empowerment. The Director will lead and support the individual planning process across the organization to ensure that each supported person’s plan is aligned and implemented according to the person-centered planning process. S/he will develop and manage behavioral support services programs, facilitate person-centered behavior plans, oversee resources & benefits counseling, and program admissions and transitions. The Director will be an active member of The Arc’s senior management team, will manage staff (a Resources & Benefits Specialist and an Admissions Coordinator) and will provide indirect coaching and support to Program Directors and Program Managers.  S/he will report to Martha Brown, Chief of Staff.

Key responsibilities for the Director of Person Centered Planning include:

Organization-wide focus on person-centered planning

  • Developing organizational policies, procedures and practice as they relate to The Arc’s person-centered philosophy
  • Managing implementation, review and benchmarking for person-centered planning across the organization, in close collaboration with Coordinators of Community Services (CCS) and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)
  • Training and coaching Program Managers, Team Leaders and other staff with case management responsibilities on person-centered planning and thinking
  • Representing The Arc with local, state and national groups and organizations
  • Ensuring compliance with person-centered planning and plan implementation/training in partnership with Quality Enhancement

 

Behavior support service program and person-centered behavior plans

  • Overseeing the research, development and implementation for Behavior Support Plans to reduce targeted/maladaptive behaviors as well as increase adaptive/appropriate skills for those supported by The Arc
  • Facilitating initial and ongoing assessments for Behavior Support plan implementation and attending any meetings regarding behavioral concerns, change in placement, needs, etc. for persons served
  • Evaluating Behavior Support plan effectiveness based on data, reviewing progress notes, with annual input from the management team; also reviewing all Incident Reports of behavioral concerns and monitoring the number of restrictive techniques used
  • Monitoring psychotropic medications monthly and compiling medication reference lists with any changes
  • Consulting with other agencies, and participating in meetings on Behavior Analytic practices to ensure compliance with standards & regulations

 

Resource & benefits management and organizational admission/discharge process

  • Developing an admission and transition process for all programs at The Arc; chairing the Admissions & Transition Committee and assisting the CEO in the discharge planning process
  • Working with the Resource and Benefits Specialist to ensure maximum utilization of entitlements, including Social Security, Food Supplement Program, Medical Assistance and housing resources for new admissions
  • Participating in intake meetings/screenings for people potentially seeking services (including visits to hospitals, other agencies, etc.)

 

Cross organization and interdisciplinary initiatives/projects

  • Developing and facilitating one-on-one and group training on quality support topics in collaboration with Talent Development
  • Managing the relationships with clinical providers, Coordinators of Community Services, local and state agencies, and other groups
  • Supporting Quality Enhancement efforts with the Director of QE and the Chief of Staff, including participating in the QE Committee as a nonvoting member
  • Fostering collaborative relationships internally and externally
  • Assisting with special projects by conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, drafting reports, and preparing presentations for internal and external stakeholders
  • Managing and coaching staff, consultants and contractors
  • Supporting the development of other clinical focused programs within The Arc

Experience and Attributes

The Director of Person Centered Planning must possess:

  • Seven+ years of professional experience providing person-centered planning and behavioral supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
  • Four years of professional experience developing behavior plans for people with disabilities for use in a community-based setting
  • A deep understanding and passion for person-centered planning and self-direction for people with disabilities
  • Experience working across cultural, socio-economic, geographic, and programmatic lines to positively support person(s) served
  • Experience in planning and executing meetings and trainings with a wide range of stakeholders
  • Track record in proposing and successfully implementing improvements to systems, processes and practice
  • Excellent oral and written communications; strong interpersonal skills with the ability to manage positive communication in difficult situations and the ability to provide candid/constructive feedback
  • The ability to work autonomously, in ambiguous situations with little direction, running toward problems without being asked, solutions oriented
  • The ability to remain flexible, calm under pressure and adaptive to change as priorities shift, being a model and resource for staff
  • A Master’s degree in clinical psychology, social work or related field
  • Must be a LCPC or LCSW in the state of Maryland; Licensed Behavioral Analyst is a plus (will have backup LCSW on-staff)
  • Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and knowledge of outcome systems is required

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Arc offers a robust compensation package.

Application Process

To apply, e-mail your resume, cover letter and salary requirements to: DPCP@raffa.com (e-mail applications are required and only complete applications will be considered). For other inquiries, contact Ginna Goodenow at ggoodenow@raffa.com.

The Arc CCR is an equal opportunity employer. Resume reviews begin immediately.