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Mental Health Advocate

Employer
The Georgia Advocacy Office
Location
Decatur, Georgia
Salary
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Closing date
May 31, 2022

View more

Focus Areas
Civil Rights / Advocacy
Job Function
Advocacy / Lobbying
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
25 - 50%
Experience Level
Professional

This position serves as Advocate for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program of the Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO). The GAO is the federally mandated protection and advocacy system for individuals with disabilities or mental illness in Georgia pursuant to 42 U.S.C. §10801 et seq. Protection and advocacy (P&A) systems are mandated under federal law to protect people with disabilities from abuse and neglect and to advocate for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities. The priorities of GAO's PAIMI program are to (1) protect individuals with psychiatric disabilities from, and to pursue a remedy for, incidents of abuse and neglect; (2) respond to allegations of discrimination and legal rights violations of people with psychiatric disabilities; and (3) promote the integration and self-determination of people with psychiatric disabilities.

The PAIMI Advocate will engage in individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of people with psychiatric disabilities who are subject to abuse or neglect, or who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated a deep sense of identification with people with disabilities, particularly people with psychiatric disabilities, and will have advocacy experience. This position reports to the PAIMI Director.

Major Tasks and Responsibilities

  1. Investigate complaints or requests for advocacy from people with mental illness.
  2. Investigate abuse and neglect in institutional and community-based settings.
  3. Provide individual advocacy to people with mental illness. This includes meeting with the person, identifying issues, determining a course of action, developing appropriate advocacy strategies, and encouraging self-advocacy, when appropriate.
  4. Consult with professionals such as attorneys, physicians, psychologists, therapists, educators, and others to identify options and barriers for individuals.
  5. Monitor state and private facilities such as institutions, group homes, personal care homes, day programs, and others for compliance with federal and state laws protecting the rights of individuals with mental illness.
  6. Assist people with mental illness in their community with their advocacy and systems change efforts.
  7. Support organizational projects and initiatives that foster self-determination and self-advocacy and that support ordinary citizens to stand by and with people with mental illness.
  8. Participate on task forces, coalitions, and committees.
  9. Maintain accurate, confidential files documenting advocacy services provided.
  10. Assist in preparing reports to funding sources.
  11. Perform related tasks consistent with skills, abilities, and general responsibilities as required.

Skills

  1. Effective and professional communication skills, including demonstrated writing skills.
  2. Interpersonal skills to maintain productive working relationships with all staff and to work in interdisciplinary teams with other professionals.
  3. Organizational skills to successfully complete multiple priorities and tasks and meet self-imposed and externally set deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications

  1. A sense of identification with people with disabilities, particularly people with mental illness, and a dedicated commitment to the rights of people with disabilities.
  2. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field or a combination of life experience and education demonstrating a likely capacity to perform the requirements of the position.
  3. A strong commitment to the improvement of quality of life and protection of rights for people with disabilities in Georgia.
  4. Ability and willingness to travel throughout the state of Georgia.
  5. Ability to pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications

  1. Background in Social Role Valorization (SRV) and related training.
  2. Specialized knowledge in disability or related field.
  3. Experience advocating with and for persons with disabilities.
  4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, Excel, web-based report creation, and generic database management.
  5. Reliable transportation, insurance, and valid driver’s license or access to transportation.
  6. Experience providing training to diverse groups of people.

To apply, please submit a cover letter explaining your qualifications for the position, a resume, and a list of references by Tuesday, May 31, 2022 by email to:

info@thegao.org

or by mail to:

PAIMI Advocate Search

Georgia Advocacy Office

One West Court Square, Suite 625

Decatur, GA 30030

FAXED APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATIONS WITHOUT A COVER LETTER WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. GAO provides excellent benefits such as health insurance, 403B plan, and paid vacation and holidays. Information about the Georgia Advocacy Office can be found at www.thegao.org and on our Facebook page at bit.ly/fbthegao.org. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse workforce. Applicants with disabilities and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply. We are a busy office and a rewarding place to work.

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