Watertown, Massachusetts, United States · On-site
$25/hr–$26/hr
Home & Community-Based Support Professional / LifeNet Support Partner Organization and Department Description: The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) is a non-profit human service organization that helps au…
Skills: Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Time Management, Problem-Solving
Watertown, Massachusetts, United States • On-site
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The LifeNet Support Partner facilitates activities for neurodiverse adults to support their independent living goals. They work closely with Clinical Case Managers and build trusting relationships with clients.
Candidates must have professional experience supporting neurodiverse adults and a valid Massachusetts driver's license. Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are essential.
Home & Community-Based Support Professional / LifeNet Support Partner
Organization and Department Description: The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) is a non-profit human service organization that helps autistic adults or other individuals with neurodiverse profiles build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with information, education, community, support, and advocacy - all in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect. The LifeNet department aims to empower neurodiverse adults (often autistic individuals without intellectual disability) to pursue the lives they want. Our department’s offerings were started to help fill a gap in adult services for this population.
Job Description: The LifeNet Support Partner is a key member of LifeNet, AANE’s Clinical Case Management and Independent Living Support department for autistic adults. The Support Partner is responsible for working with clients in both 1:1 and group settings to facilitate activities toward their desired independent living priorities. The Support Partner works closely with other team members, especially Clinical Case Managers who oversee their work with shared clients. The Support Partner reports directly to a leadership team member (Program Director, Clinical Director, or Associate Director). All Support Partners are invited to bring their ideas to the team and the program, and following orientation and training, are offered ongoing professional development, individual, and group supervision.
Key Responsibilities:
Travel to and perform scheduled in-person, home- and community-based visits with each assigned LifeNet adult (typically within ~60 minutes of AANE’s office in Watertown), to carry out activities aligned with the adult's LifeNet Support Plan
Please note: each visit is typically up to 2 hours each, and travel time is compensated/reimbursed in accordance with policy
Work closely with Clinical Case Manager(s) to implement each adult’s strengths-based LifeNet Support Plan, which outlines specific independent living support activities in areas that include, but are not limited to:
home organization and housekeeping
meal prep, nutrition, and food safety
healthcare appointments and medication reminders
mail, bills, benefits, and money management
companionship and social engagement
recreation and exercise
personal hygiene and self-care
shopping and errands
travel and transportation support
Build a professional, trusting relationship with each LifeNet adult, while setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries
Carefully observe the status of, and changes in, a LifeNet adult’s personal health and living environment, and communicate issues back to the respective Clinical Case Manager
Participate in regularly scheduled and ad hoc virtual meetings with colleagues from one’s home office (or AANE’s office in Watertown, if desired)
Initiate and complete virtual support meetings with one or more adults when indicated
Organize and facilitate in-person or virtual small-group social/recreational events for LifeNet adults to encourage social engagement and peer-to-peer relationships
Track time, mileage, and case notes in the secure LifeNet case management system
Manage a GoogleCalendar with accuracy for work commitments
Effectively, professionally, and respectfully communicate with colleagues, clients, and other community members in both proactive and responsive contexts in person and via Zoom and Google video call, work email, work phone text messages, and work phone voice calls
Perform additional duties as assigned, which may include researching resources, organizing client data, making telephone calls, planning events, drafting guidance for adults or staff in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, or Excel, and others
Qualifications:
Professional experience with providing in-person support to neurodiverse adults (or equivalent/transferable professional, personal and/or academic experience in human services contexts)
Must have valid Massachusetts driver’s license, clean driving record, and a reliable vehicle (mileage reimbursed at federal rate)
Ability to commute to multiple client homes within a ~1 hour radius of our Watertown, MA office daily (see mileage reimbursement and compensation policy)
Openness and ability to, on any given day, engage in conversations or pursuits with LifeNet adults involving music, theater, dance, art, anime, comic books, animals, nature, sports, science, computers, history, mass transit, aviation, travel, TV shows, movies, games, and more
Excellent interpersonal and communications skills
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Ability to exercise patience, persistence, flexibility, and problem-solving during independent work and work with colleagues and clients
Ability to collaborate and work as part of a team, including the ability to ask for help when needed
Ability to learn and use new technologies/apps in service of LifeNet adults, including but not limited to Zoom, GoogleSuite, Microsoft Word, etc.
Must agree to state and federal background checks
Salary & benefits:
Competitive salary ($25-26/hour, based on experience)
Generous paid time off and paid holiday closures (eligible employees)
Health and dental insurance, FSA/DCA (eligible employees)
Mileage reimbursement
IRA match after 1 year
PSLF eligibility
Weekly supervision + professional development
Robust orientation and onboarding
AANE’s Commitment to Recruiting and Retaining Racially Diverse Professionals: As a global leader in promoting neurodiverse environments in all aspects of society, AANE is deeply committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the communities we serve and in our own workplace. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a racially diverse team, and we encourage professionals of color to apply for this and other job opportunities with our organization. Please consider joining us
AANE is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [email protected]
Empowering Individuals. Building Community.
The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) helps Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with education, community and support, in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect.
Offices: 85 Main St, Suite 3, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, US
Empowering Individuals. Building Community.
The Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) helps Autistic and similarly Neurodivergent people build meaningful, connected lives. We provide individuals, families, and professionals with education, community and support, in an inclusive atmosphere of validation and respect.
Offices: 85 Main St, Suite 3, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472, US
