Behavior Support Specialist

Job Title

Behavior Support Specialist

Job Description

At the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD), we believe every person deserves the opportunity to live, learn, work, and thrive as a valued member of our community. We support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families at every stage of life, connecting them with resources, creating opportunities for inclusion, and empowering them to achieve their goals. Our work is driven by compassion, collaboration, and a deep respect for the dignity and potential of every person we serve. Joining our team means more than just starting a new job, it is becoming part of a mission-driven organization where your skills make a lasting difference in the lives of others and in the heart of our growing community.

Mission: To inspire, empower, and support people to achieve their full potential.

Vision: All people will lead personally fulfilling lives.

Candidates must model the following established core values: Inclusion, Equity, and Integrity

Primary Objective: Completes specialized work in developing, coordinating, and monitoring all facets of behavior support with a focus on increasing the quality of the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities served by DCBDD.

Job Standards

Minimum Qualifications: Hold a valid license issued by the Ohio Board of Psychology OR hold a valid license issued by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, and Marriage and Family Therapist Board OR hold a valid physician license issued by the State Medical Board of Ohio OR hold a bachelor's or graduate level degree from an accredited college or university. Minimum of three (3) years paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in developing and/or implementing behavioral support and/or risk reduction strategies or plans. Must be able to obtain and maintain DODD Service and Support Administration Certification. Must possess a valid State of Ohio Driver's License and acceptable driving record as stipulated by the Board's insurance carrier.

Physical Requirements: Light work strength level. The physical requirements of the position are identified as light work, which may require the lifting of up to 25 pounds occasionally.

The physical activity of the position is manual dexterity, talking, hearing, reaching, and navigating your environment.

Ability to operate standard office equipment in the performance of essential functions (e.g. copy machine, fax machine, personal computer, and telephone).

Other Requirements: Successful completion of a criminal records check (BCI and/or FBI) and registry/database check as required by DODD, driving record checks, and DCBDD receiving favorable reference reports. Schedule may need to be flexible based on DCBDD operational need and/or the individual or families served.

Essential Functions

Serves as entry point for all behavior support referrals. Coordinates and tracks all behavioral assessments. Communicates regularly with individuals served and teams in the community; adheres to the guidance in OAC 5123-2-06 to create, implement, and maintain restrictive strategies as needed. Provides guidance and oversight on positive behavior support practices and implementation, collects and analyzes data, performs assessments to determine the functions of behavior as well as to define triggers, defines target behaviors, develops a format for behavior data collection, and measures effectiveness of interventions; makes on site observations of individuals; develops structured environments and programmatic interventions to support individuals with challenging behaviors. Assures that behavior assessments identify risk of harm and support strategies are implemented to reduce the risk of harm; ensures behavior supports are provided in the least restrictive manner possible while ensuring the health, safety, and dignity of risk for the person. Develops, implements, and monitors all facets of behavior support, both positive and restrictive, for individuals served; partners with Service and Support Administrators (SSA) to write strategies into Individual Service Plans (ISPs); ensures restrictions in plans are temporary in nature, tracks reductions of restrictions over time, and the elimination of restrictions from plans. Provides regular training to DCBDD employees, designated provider staff, and parents on behavior strategies, restrictive measures, and specific interventions necessary to correctly implement and monitor the interventions; develops trainings based on identified areas of need, including but not limited to, curriculum, instructional materials, visual aids, training manuals, etc. Supports SSAs and teams by providing technical assistance with behavior strategies and/or restrictive measures. Serves as a non-voting member of the HRC; recruits new HRC members. Presents assessment and recommendations for restrictive measures to the Human Rights Committee (HRC); reviews restrictive measures quarterly, submits semi-annual summary to the HRC, and provides annual analysis of all behavior support strategies to the HRC in accordance with OAC 5123-2-06. Completes Restrictive Measures Notification process on DODD website. Ensures completion of annual assessment when plans contain restrictive measures. Completes Targeted Case Management (TCM) notes in a timely manner. Maintains confidential records. Creates, maintains, and provides annual Behavior Support training to DCBDD employees and HRC members. Develops and revises Behavior Support policy and procedures as needed in accordance with OAC 5123-2-06. Provides referral for contracted behavior support services if needed; serves as a liaison for contracted behavior support services. Works closely with the MUI Department on cases where a risk of harm is occurring and with all prevention plans with restrictive measures. Attends meetings, seminars, and conferences, and other job-related training sessions. Adheres to all ORC, OAC, and DCBDD policies and procedures. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information

DCBDD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

In addition to a competitive compensation plan, DCBDD offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees which includes, but is not limited to, medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance and the option to enroll in a Flexible Spending Medical or Dependent Care Account (FSA). Additional benefits include employer and employee paid supplemental life insurance, pension through the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS), supplemental deferred compensation, a professional development allotment, tuition reimbursement, and an EAP program. Paid time off is offered in the form of vacation, personal, sick leave, holidays, and bereavement.