- Professional
During the transition and significant program changes in the new Ontario Autism Program (OAP), parents/caregivers will require essential support and guidance. AccessOAP, as a crucial partner, will directly assist families by providing comprehensive information, orientation, and practical assistance to access the newly available supports, pathways, and programs. Moreover, AccessOAP will work closely with families to determine their child/youth's strengths, needs, and priority goals, utilizing a well-defined process. This dynamic role necessitates individuals who possess creativity, flexibility, solution-oriented thinking, and a collaborative approach.
Program Objectives:
Provide direct support to families who are accessing or are interested in accessing the OAP by helping families:
- Understand and make informed choices about their service options in the OAP.
- Make informed choices on how to receive funding.
- Find and select qualified service providers.
- Complete and submit required documentation and reconcile invoices.
- Feel supported in connecting to available resources and services in their local communities.
Key Responsibilities
- Educate families thoroughly about the program, ensuring they have a comprehensive understanding of available options and services.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date applicant information in the database.
- Assist families in making informed decisions regarding the next steps for Core Clinical Services.
- Empower applicants and communities to recognize and support Autistic Children and Youth by acknowledging their strengths, competencies, expertise, resilience, and capacities. Foster their inclusion, self-development, and active participation within communities.
- Actively engage in team meetings and training sessions to contribute to the achievement of operational goals.
Dedicated Role Specific Requirements: Determination of Needs
- Attend mandatory training on the determination of needs process, data collection tools, and related business processes.
- Conduct determination of needs interviews following a defined process, gathering essential information about the child and family to assess the child's support requirements and determine the funding amount for Core Clinical Services through the OAP.
- Continuously contribute to the evaluation process by collecting information and providing feedback to enhance the determination of needs tool and process.
- Serve as a second reviewer when necessary to support quality measures, including components such as inter-rater reliability in the review process.
Along with, Supporting the organization’s operational goals including other aspects of the business.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience in human services, social services, or a clinically related discipline, including providing support to families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or developmental disabilities. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
- Possesses a family-centered, person-directed approach to support. Demonstrates a commitment to understanding and addressing the unique needs and goals of families.
- Exhibits flexibility in engaging with families and displays comfort in navigating challenging conversations with compassion and empathy.
- Experience working with children and youth on the autism spectrum and their families, including conducting assessments or interviewing families, is an asset.
- Demonstrates a sound understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with autism, intellectual, or developmental disabilities throughout their life course.
- Possesses extensive knowledge of the developmental services sector and community-based resources within the designated region.
- Demonstrates excellent relationship-building, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills within a system-wide environment.
- Exhibits strong critical thinking skills, enabling effective problem-solving and decision-making.
- Possesses an understanding of clinical terminology and the ability to communicate effectively with families using a family-friendly language.
- Demonstrates general knowledge of typical child development.
- Fluency in written and oral French, Mandarin or Cantonese is strongly preferred, and proficiency in additional languages, as well as experience working with Indigenous families, is considered an asset.
- Must demonstrate sound professional judgment, effective problem-solving skills, the ability to manage multiple priorities, and work independently with flexibility.
- Proficient in various computer programs, including database management, email, Microsoft Office applications, and familiarity with social media and other technology tools and approaches.
- Detail-oriented, able to accomplish administrative tasks in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to principles of social justice, equity, inclusion, and cultural competency.
- Up-to-date police reference check is required.
- The role requires the ability to regularly work evenings and weekends to accommodate the availability of families and meet their needs effectively.
