Monthly Archives: July 2025

Independent Living Advocate : Community Reintegration

The Community Reintegration Advocate plays a pivotal role in assisting disabled residents of institutions in their pursuit of a more integrated and independent living environment. Operating within the framework of existing State Consent Decrees, which mandate the transition of individuals with disabilities out of institutional settings, the Advocate ensures compliance with legal requirements. For consumers who are members of a Class within a Consent Decree, the Advocate collaborates closely with the designated transition agency to address challenges and advocate for the consumer’s needs.

In cases where the consumer is not part of a Consent Decree Class, the Community Reintegration Advocate assumes a comprehensive role in coordinating essential services for a successful transition. This includes scheduling service assessments, securing necessary support services post-transition, arranging suitable housing, ensuring the availability of required services and furnishings on the day of transition, and facilitating appropriate independent living skills training.

Essential Functions:

– Offer personalized transition support to disabled residents of long-term care facilities, including housing assistance, independent living skills training, service coordination, securing home services, personal assistants, and other community care services.

– Collaborate with long-term care facilities to recruit and work with consumers.

– Advocate for residents who belong to a designated Olmstead Consent Decree Class but are not receiving necessary assistance under the Colbert, Williams, and Ligas Consent Decrees.

– Partner with agencies that provide transition services under State of Illinois Olmstead Consent Decrees.

– Document program activities in the Progress Center Consumer and Community Database.

– Generate monthly and quarterly reports as required by Progress Center and funders.

Qualifications:

– Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

– Proven problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

– Familiarity with the Illinois system of long-term and community care.

– Personal experience with disability, either directly or through family or friends.

– Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong organizational skills.

– Ability to travel independently within suburban Cook County.