Stay informed about coronavirus – COVID-19

April 13, 2020April 29, 2020

PCA program changes

If you receive PCA services but are struggling to access these services during the COVID-19 outbreak, call the MassOptions hotline at 1-844-422-6277

IA’s changes in response to COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, Independence Associates is making some changes to protect the well-being of our consumers and staff. As of Monday, March 16^th, the following policy changes are in effect until further notice:

IA staff are being asked to implement Social Distancing. What this means is effective Monday March 16, 2020 we will not be having any un-scheduled (Walk in) appointments at our office.
Face to face meetings with staff will only occur with scheduled appointments for which staff will call with you to confirm and ask a few questions that we have been advised by our funders before visiting you or having you come to the office. For some of our programs we will be making minimal in person visits only as necessary.
Skills training will continue via video chat, telephone, or email until it is deemed safe to return to in-person meetings. We apologize for any inconvenience and will do everything we can to help you as much as possible during this time.
All in-person social events at IA are canceled until further notice. This includes our monthly Board & Committee meetings, youth and DDS event as well as Dungeons and Dragons, BTV, and other groups facilitated by us. IA may explore virtual options to hold some of these groups remotely, check IACIL.org for announcements.
IA staff may be working remotely from outside of the office. This will cause a few changes. Please have patience as we implement these and learn together:
- Staff not in the office will not be able to directly answer phone calls. To reach your skills trainer by phone, leave a voicemail message on their extension as all staff will still have access to their voicemail and can return calls during business hours.
- Staff may return calls from a number you are not familiar with or an unlisted private phone number so please consider answering your phone from an unlisted number if you are expecting a return phone call from us.
- All staff have access to email outside of the office so please consider contacting them that way.

The wellbeing of our consumers is our highest priority and Independence Associates will remain open during our regular business hours unless otherwise announced. If you are having difficulty reaching your skills trainer and require additional assistance, please email rmacleod@iacil.org and this will be looked into as quickly as possible. This is a very challenging time for our community and Independence Associates will be there to assist you as much as we possibly can while doing everything we can to protect the health of our consumers and staff.

Thank you very much,
Independence Associates Management

Full Time – Youth Resource Coordinator

February 24, 2020April 13, 2020

POSITION: Youth Resource Coordinator

STATUS: Full Time 37.5 hours/week (typically normal business hours but there will be required nights and weekends; reasonable notice will be provided for any mandatory nights or weekends)

REPORTS TO: Youth Programs Coordinator

JOB SUMMARY: Youth Resource Coordinators serve many functions for the organization primarily in terms of supporting a caseload of consumers and providing peer counseling, skills training, advocacy, and service coordination to consumers (typically 14-22 years old) with a disability. Typically work days are spent meeting one-on-one with consumers, leading skills training sessions (for example, leading a driving permit study group, cooking and food preparation group and other activities related to independent living), contributing to group and departmental projects (such as spending time working on projects at a television station, planning/attending events, etc.), entering notes and units into an online system, and performing other duties as assigned.

ABOUT INDEPENDENCE ASSOCIATES

One of ten Independent Living Centers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that covers a 31 cities and towns service area.
A grassroots civil rights organization that believes in and advocates the rights of persons with disabilities.
Values the work-life balance of employees; workers are not on call outside of business hours
IA supports persons with disabilities to exercise self-determination and live successfully in the community as they choose with appropriate supports and services.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

Please email rmacleod@iacil.org with a cover letter or quick note explaining why you believe you are right for this position as I decide who to interview.
Must have a passion to make a positive difference in the lives of young persons with disabilities in line with the independent living philosophy.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: An ideal candidate for this position exhibits many of the following characteristics:

Teaching/public speaking/tutoring/coaching/skills training experience working with. Relating to, and holding the attention of 14-22 year olds.
Work/Lived experiences as or living/working with persons with disabilities.
Self-starter who is responsible for meeting broad departmental objectives.
College graduate and/or experience and passion
Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills; second language proficiency preferred.
Able to think outside of the box and be a creative problems solver.
Strong technology skills (Office, Internet, Email, Scheduling, Web based notes system, etc.)
Hard working passionate person who wants to work hard and make a positive difference.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Maintain an active caseload and provide appropriate supports and services to consumers.
Identify community partnership opportunities to provide consumers with community based vocational experiences.
Perform outreach that leads to the formation of groups and lead them in schools, our office, and in the community.
Maintain positive relationships and strong communication with Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Counselors and other funders.
Maintain excellent communication with Youth Programs Coordinator and appropriate staff.
Meetings, supervisions, agency and departmental requirements as appropriate.
Must be an appropriate and responsible role model for youths with disabilities.
Other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Independence Associates offers generous paid time off and benefits that will be discussed at the initial interview.
A driver’s license, insurance, and a reliable automobile are required; IA reimburses at $0.50/mile.
Must pass CORI, SORI prior to onboarding. May require fingerprinting background check to enter schools.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, MINORITIES AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS PROVIDED.

January Youth Event

January 2, 2020April 29, 2020

Join us on the last Friday of January as Independence Associates hosts its monthly youth event at our office in East Bridgewater. As usual, we will provide pizza, drinks, snacks, and games for us all to enjoy as we make friends with one another. All are welcome!