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Information & Referral Advocate

The Information & Referral Advocate maintains resources and information materials, builds a catalog of resources, and provides information and referral services to consumers and community members. The Information & Referral Advocate position also supports disabled people who wish to apply for and receive the benefits to which they are entitled at a state and Federal level. The position also is charged with developing independent living skills training modules, then offering those trainings to community members in a peer-to-peer support setting. The position will facilitate community presentations as requested to community groups and organizations regarding programs and services. The position is responsible for documenting their work in Progress Center databases, and completing reports as required by Progress Center and funders. For day to day activities, the Information and Referral Advocate reports to the Advocacy Manager. This position is full-time in-person at the Forest Park office location. This position is expected to report to the office at 9:00 A.M. and end at 5:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Duties:

• Report to and coordinate activities with the Advocacy Manager
• Develop and implement independent living skills training modules in program areas such as: Budgeting, Scheduling, Banking, Benefits Counseling, and others as necessary
• Provide information and referral services to consumers and the public
• Build a catalog of disability and service related resources
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and human service agencies within the service area
• Serve as a resource person in regard to independent living issues
• Be knowledgeable concerning the benefits and programs available to people with disabilities of all ages at the federal, state and local level, including application processes (E.g.: Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, etc.)
• Complete all documentation and evaluation systems requirements
• Comply with all established policies and procedures of Progress Center

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, equivalent experience accepted
• One-year professional work experience with people with disabilties preferred
• Familiarity with state and federal benefit programs
• Organizational skills
• Knowledge of disability community and community resources
• Knowledge of Suburban Cook County communities and services available
• Ability to work independently with self-direction
• Experience working with disability community or first-hand experience with a disability
• Ability to travel within service area
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Public relations and interpersonal communication skills
• Computer skills required

Since 1988, Progress Center for Independent Living has been the Center for Independent Living serving Suburban Cook County.  Progress Center is a member of the nationwide network of Centers for Independent Living that provide peer support, independent living skills, information and referral, and advocacy to persons with all types of disabilities. Progress Center is also a member of the statewide network of centers for independent living, the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living.  Throughout the country, all centers for independent living are governed and staffed by a majority of people with disabilities.

People with disabilities and people of color are encouraged to apply for Progress Center’s Information and Referral Advocate Position.

To apply, send a resume, cover letter, and references to ehostetter@progresscil.org

Personal Assistants

Progress Center is looking for caring and dependable people to work as personal assistants for people with disabilities and seniors in their homes in Suburban Cook County. Experience is helpful. Both full and part-time hours are available.

Anyone interested in becoming a personal assistant must first complete a personal assistant orientation. Progress Center offers several orientations every month.

For more information, contact Art Johnson at ajohnson@progresscil.org or call 708-209-1500.

Personal Assistant Outreach Video: Spanish Language

Personal Assistant Outreach Video: English Version