Advocates·Massachusetts
Provide person- and family-centered navigation and service coordination for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Develop and monitor individualized service plans while coordinating with schools, providers, and DDS to increase independence and community participation.
At Advocates, we provide comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges. We're a nonprofit, mission-driven organization with a person-centered approach, empowering the individuals we support to make choices, build independence, and live full, meaningful lives. Our work is rooted in respect, compassion, and inclusion, and we envision a world where individual differences are appreciated and celebrated. At Advocates, we value the ideas, experiences, and contributions of every employee and are committed to fostering a supportive, welcoming culture where people can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. Minimum Education Required High School Diploma/GED
Provide person-centered navigation, supports in a family-centered, culturally responsive, and aligned with DDS and agency requirements. Partner with individuals and/or families to identify strengths, needs, priorities, goals, and barriers related to service access, skill development, independence, and community participation. Develop, implement, and monitor individualized service plans, goals, budgets, and support strategies in collaboration with individuals, families, DDS staff, schools, providers, and other team members. Support families in understanding DESE/DDS, Agency with Choice, flexible funding guidelines, staffing models, documentation requirements and budget utilization. Assist families with identifying, arranging, onboarding, and sustaining approved staff and services, including Skills Trainers, respite, community integration supports, family training, professional supports, and other approved services. Maintain regular contact with individuals and families through phone, email, text, virtual meetings, home visits, and community-based meetings, with increased outreach during periods of transition, crisis, or service disruption. Support individuals and families in implementing individualized strategies that build skills, promote independence, strengthen routines, and increase participation across home, school, and community settings. Build trusting, respectful relationships with individuals and families to support engagement, service planning, and continuity of support. Assist individuals and families in identifying goals and practical strategies that support skill development, family capacity, community integration, and progress toward the individualized service plan. Support generalization of skills and strategies across home, school, and community settings by coordinating with families, caregivers, schools, and providers. Coordinate with DDS Service Coordinators, school teams, clinical providers, therapists, ABA providers, healthcare providers, and community resources to support consistent planning and reduce service fragmentation. Participate in IEP meetings, DDS meetings, Support Plan reviews, ISP meetings, case reviews, and team planning meetings as appropriate and with required consent. Provide responsive support during emergent or crisis situations, connection to clinical, psychiatric, behavioral health, emergency, school-based, or DDS supports as needed. Monitor service delivery, documentation, billing, budget utilization, expenditures, ancillary requests, and required program records to ensure compliance with DDS and agency expectations. Prepare and maintain required documentation, including service notes, contact logs, individualized plans, goal progress updates, budget materials, quarterly, mid-year, and year-end reports, indirect time forms, and other required DDS or agency documentation. Promote self-determination, informed choice, dignity, safety, inclusion, and the individual’s/family’s role as the primary decision-maker in service planning. Participate in supervision, team meetings, case consultation, training, and quality improvement activities Complete required documentation, service notes, indirect time forms, communication with DDS, and other paperwork in accordance with program and contract requirements. Attend training assigned; maintain necessary certifications (CPR, First Aid, Safety Care) Attend and actively participate in supervision and staff meetings. Ensure that individuals we support are treated with dignity and respect in accordance with Advocates’ Human Rights Policy. Perform all duties in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures. Strictly follow all agency performance standards.
Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, psychology, education, special education, or a related field preferred. Equivalent experience supporting individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and/or complex family support needs may be considered in lieu of degree. Experience working with individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and/or complex family support needs. Knowledge of DDS services, DESE/DDS programming, Agency with Choice, family navigation, self-direction, IEPs, community-based support, and service coordination preferred. Strong understanding of person-centered planning, family-centered practice, self-determination, cultural responsiveness, and community inclusion. Strong communication, documentation, organization, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Bilingual or multilingual skills are preferred. Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and ability to use good judgment. Must have sensitivity to the needs of the population. Basic computer knowledge. Superior interpersonal skills and ability to function in a team atmosphere and independently. Must have valid driver’s license, car insurance, and access to auto. Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.
Requires a High School Diploma/GED, with a Bachelor's degree in human services or a related field preferred. Must have experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and possess a valid driver's license and vehicle.
Market context
In Massachusetts, Person-Centered Services Family Navigator roles are often tied to ongoing demand for community-based support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. These positions can be competitive because employers typically look for direct disability-support experience, a valid driver’s license and vehicle, and a background in human services; a bachelor’s degree is often preferred even when a high school diploma is the minimum. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your experience with developmental disabilities and transportation access before applying.
