Support Coordinator

The Support Coordinator - Community Resource Specialist is responsible for managing Support Coordination services for each participant. Support Coordination services are services that assist participants in gaining access to needed program and State plan services, as well as needed medical, social, educational, and other services.

• Community Resource Utilization: Utilize and coordinate community resources and other programs/agencies to ensure that waiver services funded by the Division will be considered only when the following conditions are met: 1. Other resources and supports are insufficient or unavailable; 2. Other services do not meet the needs of the individual; and 3. Services are attributable to the person's disability.
• Service Access and Coordination: Access these community resources and other programs/agencies by: 1. Utilizing resources and supports available through natural supports within the individual's neighborhood or other State agencies; 2. Developing a thorough understanding of programs and services operated by other local, State, and federal agencies; 3. Ensuring these resources are used and making referrals as appropriate; and 4. Coordinating services between and among the varied agencies so the services provided by the Division complement, but do not duplicate, services provided by the other agencies.
• Service Planning and Development: Develop a thorough understanding of the services funded by the Division.
• Individual-Centered Planning: Interview the individual and ensure he/she is at the center of the planning process and in determining the outcomes, services, supports, etc. that he/she desires. Also interview, if appropriate, the family or other involved individuals/agency staff; review/compile various assessments or evaluations to make sure this information is understandable and useful for the planning team to assist in identifying needed supports; and facilitate completion of discovery tools, if applicable.
• Planning Team Meetings: Schedule and facilitate planning team meetings in collaboration with the individual; inform the individual and parent/guardian that the service provider(s) can be part of the planning team, ask the individual and parent/guardian if they would like to include the service provider(s) at the ISP meeting, and invite the service provider(s) to the ISP meeting; write the PCPT and ISP; and distribute the ISP (and PCPT when the individual consents) to the individual, all team members, and the identified service providers; and review the ISP through monitoring conducted at specified intervals.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Ensure that, for individuals assigned an acuity, that the Addressing Enhanced Needs Form is updated at least annually and revised more frequently during the plan year as necessary. Ensure that there has been a discussion regarding the medical needs of the individual and that these needs are documented in the ISP.
• Service Provider Management: Write the PCPT and ISP; and distribute the ISP (and PCPT when the individual consents) to the individual, all team members, and the identified service providers; and review the ISP through monitoring conducted at specified intervals. Obtain authorization from the SC Supervisor for Division-funded services.
• Quality Assurance: Monitor and follow up to ensure delivery of quality services and ensuring that services are provided in a safe manner, in full consideration of the individual's rights.
• Case Record Maintenance: Maintain a confidential case record that includes but is not limited to the NJ Comprehensive Assessment Tool (NJ CAT), completed Support Coordinator Monitoring Tools, PCPTs, ISPs, notes/reports, annual satisfaction surveys, annual physical and dental examinations (for those who reside in a licensed residential program), and other supporting documents uploaded to the iRecord for everyone served.
• Reporting and Compliance: Ensure individuals served are free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation; report suspected abuse or neglect in accordance with specified procedures; and provide follow-up as necessary. Ensure that incidents are reported in a timely manner in accordance with policy and follow-up Responsibilities are identified and completed.
• Resource Linkage: When a Support Coordinator is alerted that an individual assigned them has had an interaction with law enforcement/court system that results in a criminal charge, summons, or complaint they will discuss the availability of resources with the individual/guardian.
• Service Changes and Termination: Notify the individual, planning team, and service provider and revise the ISP whenever services are changed, reduced, or services are terminated.
• Contract and Certification Compliance: Report any suspected violations of contract, certification, or monitoring/licensing requirements to the Division.
• iRecord Management: Enter required information into the iRecord in an accurate and timely manner.
• Service Provider Selection: Ensure that individuals/families are offered informed choice of service provider.
• Service Provider Linkage: Link the individual to service providers by providing information about service providers; assist in narrowing down the list of potential service providers; reach out to providers to confirm service capacity, determine intake/eligibility requirements, gather and submit referral information as needed, establish provider capacity to implement strategies to reach identified ISP outcomes, and confirm start date, units of service, etc.
• Pre-Service Preparation: Become aware of items/documentation the service provider will need prior to serving the individual and assist/ensure they are provided prior to the start of services.
• Expenditure Notification: Notify the individual regarding any pertinent expenditure issues.
• Regular Contacts and Visits: Conduct contacts on a monthly basis, face-to-face visits on a quarterly basis, and in-home face-to-face home visit on an annual basis that includes review of the ISP and is documented on the Support Coordinator Monitoring Tool.
• Reporting and Data Entry: Complete/enter notes/reports as needed. Provide support, as needed, in relation to supporting the individual in their decision making as outlined in section 7.1.1 Individual as Decision Maker.
• Reporting to the Division: Report data to the Division as required and upon request.
• Additional Responsibilities: At the direction of Division staff, completion of surveys that may be required, etc. Include the Individual Supports – Daily Rate service provider in the planning process. Alert the planning team that, with a doctor's order, certain charting can occur as medically necessary such as food intake, blood glucose levels, etc. Ensure involved service provider(s) have received notification to begin services. Ensure that the individual is aware of different housing options that can be utilized in the community (including those that are not disability specific) so that they are supported in the least restrictive setting based on their individual needs and preferences. This includes assisting them in application for housing assistance. In relation to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), the Support Coordinator shall be responsible for confirming with the individual/family which staff, if any, are live-in caregivers paid by DDD through the participant's individual budget. AND all other duties that are assigned.