Program Manager, The Arc's Center for Future Planning - The Arc, Washington, DC
Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2014
The Arc, the nation's leading nonprofit advocating on behalf of and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial, self-motivated professional to serve as Program Manager. The Program Manager will be a key member of a dynamic team that will be responsible for managing the start-up and ongoing operation of The Arc's new Center for Future Planning.
The initial focus of the Center will be to support the estimated 6-700,000 families in the United States where an adult with I/DD is living with aging family members and there is no plan for the individual's future. The Center will empower aging caregivers to plan for the future of their adult son/daughter with I/DD, providing families with information, resources, and practical assistance in the following subject areas and more: person-centered planning, guardianship and supported decision-making, housing/residential options and supports, special needs trust and representative payee services, financial planning, and personal care and independent living supports.
The Program Manager will work closely with the Senior Executive Officer for Individual and Family Support and other professional staff on a self-managed team, and will tap the knowledge and expertise of volunteer and staff leaders from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters. Knowledge in one or more of the subject areas described above, creativity, ability to manage complex projects, entrepreneurship, excellent written and oral communications skills and five (5) years of relevant experience required. To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected]. EOE. Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.
Position Summary
The Program Manager will be a key member of a dynamic team that will be responsible for managing the start-up and ongoing operation of The Arc's new Center for Future Planning.
The initial focus of the position will be on the start-up of The Arc's Center on Future Planning, an initiative to serve the estimated 6-700,000 families in the United States where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are living with aging family members and there are no plans for the individuals' futures. The Center will empower aging caregivers to plan for the future of their adult son/daughter with I/DD, providing families with information, resources, and practical assistance in the following subject areas and more: person-centered planning, guardianship and supported decision-making, housing/residential options and supports, special needs trust and representative payee services, financial planning, and personal care and independent living supports.
The Program Manager will work closely with the Senior Executive Officer for Individual and Family Support and other professional staff on a self-managed team to create and sustain a vibrant, user friendly resource for people with I/DD and their families. The Center's program components will include:
- Online Resource Center - an interactive/user-friendly website geared toward older learners, with robust, vetted content, including but not limited to subject guides and manuals, toolkits, FAQs, reports and white papers.
- Telephone and Online Information and Referral - connecting people to help in their communities.
- Resource Database - a searchable, web-based database of sources for local-and state-based information, people, and related organizations.
- Provider Database - a searchable, crowd-sourced review platform and quality rating system for local service providers.
- Locally Delivered Planning Services - Best practices protocols for Chapters of The Arc to use in providing a full range of future planning services within their local communities.
- National Pooled Special Needs Trust - The Arc will create a master trust and provide operations, legal, financial, investment, and quality management structure and oversight to enable chapters of The Arc to provide beneficiaries with access to a pooled special needs trust.
- Trust Company Beneficiary Services - The Arc will develop protocols and business infrastructure to provide private trust companies with outsource assistance in servicing existing and future beneficiaries under individual special needs trusts.
- Training and Networking - The Arc will develop and provide interactive training and networking online through webinars, discussion boards and email lists, as well as in person through regional and national training events and conferences where families convene.
- Outreach and Public Education - The Arc will promote awareness of the new Center, as well of future planning issues and resources, directly and in collaboration with both national and local community partner organizations through their networks, websites and social media.
- Volunteer Advocate Network - The Arc will create a nationwide volunteer program, paring self-advocates with volunteers without disabilities to visit people with I/DD in community settings and monitor their satisfaction and quality of life.
The Program Manager will interact with executives, program staff and volunteer leaders from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters, as well as with other experts and professionals in the field.
About The Arc
The Arc is the world's largest nonprofit, community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of about 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. In addition to individual advocacy and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level, The Arc is the largest provider of services and supports for people with I/DD and their families.
Essential Job Functions
- Actively participate in the development and launch of the Center for Future Planning, including research, design, feasibility assessment, business process documentation, launch and ongoing support.
- Develop and manage relationships with external partners, including state and local chapters of The Arc, clients and customers, and experts in the field.
- Develop content and actively participate in implementation of The Center's web site and public communication strategy.
- Organize, facilitate and support National Advisory Council composed of experts in aging and disability fields.
- Organize, facilitate and support Future Planning Work Group composed of people with I/DD, parents and support providers, and professionals.
- Assist in conducting research to identify best practices in person-centered planning and design protocols for locally delivered planning services.
- Provide one-to-one information and referral and technical assistance to people with I/DD and their family members.
- Develop educational materials, information and resources, including training curricula, fact sheets, toolkits, and other project materials.
- Develop in-person and online training and educational programming, online resource library and online databases resources.
- Assist and actively participate in developing specialized services (e.g. pooled special needs trust, trust company services, representative payee services).
- Assist with evaluation data collection and budget tracking.
- Work collaboratively across departments.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Knowledge of individual and family programs, services and supports for people with disabilities, or equivalent.
- Creative leadership and entrepreneurial instinct
- Minimum of five (5) years relevant experience
- Bachelors degree in relevant field; Masters preferred
- Collegial team player with proven project planning and implementation skills
- Ability to manage budgets.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities.
- Deep interest in issues and concerns of people with I/DD and their families
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
Competitive salary based on education and experience. Excellent benefits including Health, Dental, Life, AD&D, and LTD insurances; Retirement plan; 4 weeks of vacation.
To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected]. EOE. Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.