Job Announcement
Indigenous Advocate

About us:Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC) is the premier organization in Colorado advocating for disability rights. Our mission is to advocate for social justice for people with all types of disabilities (what we call cross-disability). We work with individuals, service providers, businesses, and government agencies to ensure that people with what we call cross-disability have equal rights and equal access. Cross-Disability means we all work together regardless of what our individual disabilities may be. We are run by and for people with all types of disabilities: from Down Syndrome to Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Autism, people with brain injuries, people with mental illness, those who are blind or deaf, and much more. Our arms, our hearts, and our services are open wide. We know those of us with disabilities have a lot to offer.

 

About this position:

The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition is looking for a caring and thoughtful individual with an upbeat attitude to help keep American Indian and Alaska Native families strong, whole, and healthy. We are adding a new Indigenous Advocate position to support the work of our dedicated Family Engagement team. 

 

Reports to:  

• Reports to the Executive Director unless you are related to the Executive Director, you will also report to the Human Resource Director as well.  

• Internal customers will include Donna Sablan, Marlene Murillo, Hillary Jorgensen, and Jose Torres-Vega 

• ​External customers include Ute Mountain and Southern Ute Tribal Council, Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Tribal Members, Shawn Davis, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, County Department of Health Services, County Social Services, and any other Colorado State or County departments or other business we are or will be working with. 

 

Full Job Description:

This position provides individual advocacy services to members of the Ute Mt. Ute Tribe, the Southern Ute Tribe and other indigenous people upon request.   Individual advocacy consists of doing whatever it takes to get people on benefits that they need and deserve.  

 

The qualified candidate will be an excellent problem solver, culturally competent to interact with Tribal members and able to interact with government systems such as County Human Services agencies.   Training will be provided to understand eligibility rules and programs but the advocate will be expected to keep notes, organize their work, and follow up without prompting on cases.   

 

Specific Duties include:

• Manage information and referral process by responding to all referrals within 2 business days.  This includes ensuring all information is logged into the Legal Server (CCDC’s case management documentation system).   Assure that follow up is done on each case checking on status at least twice a week until the case is resolved. 

• Act as liaison between CCDC and other organizations that provide services to our members and coordinate when necessary. 

• Help Native Americans and other Indigenous People sign up for Medicaid, Long Term Service Support Systems (LTSS), Colorado Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS), and food stamps (SNAP). Advocates will be expected to learn and keep abreast of the rules and eligibility criteria.  

• Supports outreach event participation, including set up booth/table, collateral materials, engagement interactions, and other supplies for exhibits and meetings with the community.

• Assign all new cases that come in from Advocacy Coordinator/Intake.  Advocate must be able to follow the procedure to have the AC reassign/notify the client, if the client is not appropriate or does not qualify for the program.

• Oversee the process of advocate/client engagement-make sure advocates clearly communicate with an assigned client about expectations, needs, and what we are doing.

• Assist advocates as they work a case with technical and non-technical matters.  

• Assure advocates are following up with clients promptly throughout the case.

• Oversee cases and assure that advocates properly close cases upon completion and do follow-up as needed.

• Assure that all individual advocates are aware of CCDC policies and are able to work within guidelines including reporting requirements.  

• Work with the Executive Director to be sure that all advocacy processes are understood and written down. 

• Oversee “ongoing” cases and assure client needs are met.

• Follows all organizational policies

 

Essential Qualities:

•  Open to taking feedback and adjusting work accordingly

• Interested in working on a team while being able to work independently

• Ability to organize time and juggle multiple tasks

• Problem solver with “can do” attitude

• Deep belief in social justice for Indigenous people, particularly indigenous elders and people with disabilities 

• Interest and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and a variety of identities

• Capacity and interest in learning new programs and new technology

 

 Essential Skills:

• Ability to explain various programs like the LTSS, CDASS, Medicaid, SNAP, and other services

• Ability to provide individual training on how to use CDASS

• Strong problem-solving skills

• Ability to learn new essential skills needed for advocacy such as research, listening skills, and then quickly demonstrate use of these skills.  

• Proficiency to use basic technology such as the google suite, and Microsoft office, Zoom, etc.  and willingness to learn new technology 

• Skill to build and maintain relationships with other organizations without compromising ability to strongly advocate for clients

• Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Directing Eligibility Site leadership on where the site is out of compliance

• Participating in the oversight, development, and approval of Eligibility Site Improvement Action Plans (IAPs) and Corrective Action Plans (CAPs)

• Providing regional eligibility site support for the administration of the Medical Assistance programs

• Providing recommendations to program administration on program operations and future planning

• Analyzing and recommending program enhancements

• Directs Department leadership in identifying the point of occurrence in which the gaps in compliance are found during ME reviews, which is the first step of determining systemic changes needed for improvement.

 

Desired Skills:

Ability to speak additional languages particularly Ute

 

Education or other Requirements:

• At least 1 year of experience providing direct individual advocacy

• Understanding of laws and regulations in at least two major systems with demonstrated ability to generalize between systems 

• Demonstrated ability to work with people with a vast variety of disabilities 

• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural setting (at least five years)

• Have an Associate’s degree, on the job experience or the willingness to learn 

 

External Customers:

• Clients

• Agencies with whom our individual advocate’s work

• Funders

• Other independent advocacy organization

 

Our Belief System:

Our team offers wrap-around care services to meet the unique needs of each of our participants and support them to remain living independently in their homes and communities. Our approach to care is based on our respect for the human spirit and the belief that the right to dignity doesn't diminish with age. Compassion, empathy, personal attention is at the core of how we serve each and every program participant. Unlike other settings, getting to know our participants and building meaningful relationships are key to our success.

​

Inclusion, Diversity and Equity:

The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition and the Western Slope Native American Resource Center believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.  CCDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.