Rhode Island Parent Information Net

RIPIN
Job Posting
Early Intervention Parent Consultant
Salary Range: $20-$22/hour
About RIPIN:
RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN's peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.
Job Summary:
The RIPIN Early Intervention Parent Consultant Program is funded through the Executive Offices of Health and Human Services, the lead agency for Rhode Island's Early Intervention system. RIPIN oversees the hiring, training and placement of a parent consultant in each of the Early Intervention Programs, located throughout the state. The primary purpose is to provide the Early Intervention system with an authentic parent voice and to support, educate and inform families whose children are enrolled in an Early Intervention Program (EIP).
Essential Functions:
• To help the Early Intervention Program (EIP) by using the skills you've gained as a parent or primary caregiver of a child who has been in an EIP
• To act as a resource to families and Early Intervention Providers
• To help families by providing support, education, accessing community resources and facilitating both in-person and virtual workshops and support groups
• To empower families with information and support as they transition from the EIP
• To help families get more involved with the EIP and understand their important role
• To represent the families in EI and their voice/perspective at various meetings
• Attend RIPIN, program, and other meetings as assigned
• To actively engage with families to participate in the yearly Family Outcomes Survey
• Complete and submit all required paperwork accurately and in a timely manner
• Promote RIPIN programs in Rhode Island
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Parent or family member of a child recently involved in an Early Intervention Program
• Strong communication skills to speak to groups, including staff, providers, and parents
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others
• Knowledge of Early Intervention services and the Transition Process
• Ability to work with a broad cross-section of Rhode Island parents and professionals in community and office settings
• Ability to cooperatively work on a team
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of RIPIN and the community
• Bilingual skills preferred but not required

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Parent Consultants are required to conduct home and community visits and travel between multiple provider sites.
The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions/ Work Environment:

• May need to work in a variety of "uncontrolled" venues/environments
• Night/weekend hours required to meet the needs of the program
• Travel to any and all cities and towns in Rhode Island as assigned
• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of RI minimum requirements of auto insurance

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of the Agency's work changes, so too, may the essential functions of this position.
RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.