Youth Transition Coordinator, Access Living - Chicago, IL

Basic Job Function

The Youth Transition Coordinator works within the Disability Innovation Fund-Pathways demonstration project and provides services to youth with disabilities. The Coordinator is responsible for assisting youth with disabilities in preparing for transition out of high school. The coordinator educates youth on Independent Living skills, disability awareness, preparing for and placement in employment, and exploring continuing education options. The Coordinator assists in connecting youth to wrap around services.

Specific Duties

Work with students with disabilities in Chicago Schools to:

• Enroll consumers into the Pathways to Partnership program with Access Living by completing all necessary intake paperwork.
• Develop and maintain relationships with work sites, Office of Diverse Learners (ODLSS), Chicago Public Schools and staff, Division of Rehab Services, other Centers for Independent Living (CILs) that are involved in the project, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), UIC, and other entities throughout Chicagoland area.
• Maintain relationships with college admissions and disability service offices in the Chicagoland area
• Facilitate the program curriculum that focuses on educating youth about Independent Living skills, disability history and awareness, self-advocacy, and job readiness skills.
• Assist in modifying lessons as needed
• Complete pre and post-test for each lesson
• Provide wrap-around services by consulting with and assisting youth regarding issues they will need to manage to be successful upon transition (e.g. accommodation needs, medication management, etc.)
• Assist in leading informational sessions for parents, as neededParticipate in annual college and transition fairs for people with disabilitiesTrack program results and report on program progress

Job coaching and job placement:

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with employers
• Assist and aid consumers in job searching, resume and cover letter development, applying for employment, preparing for interviews, guidance on follow-up, and employment retention upon receiving a job.
• Assess the professional strengths and weaknesses of employeesAssist employees with disabilities in learning and excelling in their job functions.

Post-Secondary Education:

• Assist youth in exploring and applying for post-secondary education and financial support.
• Connect youth to the disability resource center.
• Provide youth with wrap-around services; as needed.
• When needed: assist in performing travel training with students when utilizing public transportation.
• Maintain database system(s) for each consumer enrolled.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Complete reports as needed.

Education and Training

College degree preferred.

Experience

• Employee must have basic knowledge of disability rights laws and experience in the field of independent living, disability rights and self-determination movements. 
• Experience facilitating lessons or presentations to groups.
• Experience with job placement and job coaching preferred.
• Good presentation, organization, and written and inter-personal/communication skills needed. 

Physical Demands

Must be able to travel within Cook County.

Equipment

Computer, telephone, fax, copier and printer.

Working Environment     

Office area is a shared workspace divided by cubicles. Access Living staff operates on a hybrid work model; two days per week in the office.

SUPERVISED BY:    Youth Team Supervisor

Salary Range

$50,000-$53,000

Apply Today

Email a resume and cover letter to Emily Garmager egarmager@accessliving.org and Katie Blank Kblank@accessliving.org

Housing Locator, Access Living - Chicago IL

BASIC FUNCTION: 

Access Living seeks full-time employees to serve as Access Living’s Housing Locator for Colbert Consent Decree. Each Housing Locator is responsible for implementing programs that achieve andadvocate for consumers to obtain integrated housing options when they have a goal to deinstitutionalize from congregate care facilities.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1. To assist consumers in finding and moving into safe and habitable housing in neighborhoods that meet the desired amenities of the consumers
   •  Locate housing, conduct pre-inspections of units for accessibility and consumer’s safety, and complete required documentation for funding requirements
   • Offer each consumer 3-5 safe andsecure units that meet or can meet (with modification) the accessibility requirementsProvide or arrange for transportation for consumers and accompany consumers during viewings of offered units and orient her/him to unit’s neighborhoodSubmit an applicationfor housing subsidies
   • Support the consumer in getting an executed leaseShop for or with the consumer for household goods for the new unit and first month’s food supply
   • Transport consumers and their personal belongings on the day of discharge
2. To promote integration and independent living philosophy for people with disabilities
3. To develop working and cordial relationships and conduct regular meetings with IDHS, Contractor agencies, Comprehensive Class Member Transition ProgramOrganizations, and other agencies
4. Work collaboratively with external multi-disciplinary teams of care coordinators, nursing facility staff, home modification staff, fiscal agencies and other organizations on behalf of Colbert class members
5. To learn the housing rights of people with disabilities
6. Develop partnerships with private owners and providers of subsidized, supportive, and affordable housing
7. To provide regularweekly updates and complete reports when necessary
8. To properly complete and maintain clients files, including entering data into internal and external online databases in timely fashion
9. To act as spokesperson for Access Living
10. To complete other duties as assigned

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

REQUIRED:Driver’s license and reliable insured vehicle required.Ability to travel throughout program required areas. Analytical, problem solving, networking, and knowledge of skill-building techniques. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

PREFERRED: BA/BS degree. Experience working with landlords, locating housing, other housing related experience. Experience (personal orprofessional) working with people with disabilities.

EXPERIENCE: 

Six months will be the length of time required to develop knowledge of accessible integrated housing providers within Cook County, and the system of housing subsidy program.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Ability to lift up to 50lb.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

Office area is a shared workspace divided by cubicles. Access Living operates under a hybrid office plan.

SUPERVISED BY:

Supervisor of Colbert and Williams Housing Location services

SALARY:

$54,000 – $55,000

How to Apply:

Cover letter is required. Email your cover letter and resume to Dariusz Barwacz at dbarwacz@accessliving.org

People with disabilities, members of other oppressed communities, and those with personal experience with disability are highly encouraged to apply.

Access Living Community Development Organizer - Chicago IL

Position Title: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZER

BASIC FUNCTION:
Development and implementation of community organizing campaigns on topics including but
not limited to: racial justice, community integration, transit and other disability issues. Base
building and recruitment of grassroots leaders of all ages to build Access Living’s capacity for
advocacy mobilization through Power to the People coalition (PTP).

DUTIES:
 Campaign Development: In coordination with manager and fellow organizers, design
and coordinate advocacy/organizing campaigns for systems change and reform at the
local, state and Federal levels which support Access Living’s mission and strategic goals;
 Base Building: Recruit new grassroots leaders for PTP through any combination of the
following: social media, tabling at community events, phone banking, canvassing, one-
on-ones, house meetings, presentations at/referrals from AL independent living services,
 Training and Leadership Development: Provide grassroots leaders in the disability
community with leadership development and organizing training; Train people with
disabilities on advocacy, legislative processes, and direct action,
 Coalition Building: Increase PTP’s political power by building and cultivating
relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, and government agencies
to create broad coalitional support for disability rights issues,
 Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with Access Living legal and direct services staff as
needed, and to recruit members for PTP from those clients assisted,
 Policy Work: Provide support to the Manager of Organizing and Policy in monitoring
campaign-relevant policy and legislation at local, state and Federal levels; coordinating
public and written testimony and comments on proposed legislation and policy/rule
changes; and promoting new policies and policy reform efforts to further the disability
movement.
 Community Education/Outreach: Conduct popular education efforts around disability
and racial justice and specific policy and legislation, including through the use of media;
Provide internal and external workshops as needed
 Miscellaneous Duties: Conduct written quarterly project activities reports; Ensure
compliance with grant requirements through regular data entry; act as a spokesperson for
Access Living on campaign-specific issues as assigned; and execute any other duties as
assigned.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Bachelor’s degree or applicable life/work experience. Good communication skills, both for
public presentations and written reports. A writing sample may be required. Proficiency in
Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook.

EXPERIENCE:
Extensive experience (3-5 years as paid staff or key strategic leader) in community organizing
strongly preferred. Knowledge of racial justice issues, disability issues, and/or independent
living philosophy is strongly preferred. Understanding of social media is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to travel extensively and independently within the City of Chicago, as well as
occasional travel outside of Chicago.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resumé to:
rmata@accessliving.org
No phone calls, please.