Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Professional
2 days ago
Fremont
Job Description:\n\nPosition Title: Adaptive Skills Training Professional (Senior Direct Support / Behavior Case Manager)\nLocation: Fremont, CA\nEmployment Type: Full-Time\nPay Range: $30 - $40 / hourly (depending on qualifications and experience)\nWorking Schedule: Mondays - Fridays (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)\n\nAbout Us\nFriends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN) is a Bay Area non-profit organization founded in 1996 and focused on helping individuals with special needs and their families find love, hope, respect, and support through integrated community involvement. \n\nProgram Overview\nOur Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program is seeking an energetic, patient, detail-oriented, and reliableAdaptive Skills Training Professional. The position is responsible for providing training and supervision to adults with developmental challenges.\n\nThe Adaptive Skills Training (AST) Program provides 1:1 individualized services to adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities. The program aims to enhance existing skills, remediate deficits, and promote independence, social participation, and self-determination.\n\nAdaptive Skills Training (AST) Program services enhance an individual’s existing skills. They also may remedy an individual’s skill deficits in communication, social function, or other related skill areas, including, but not limited to, the following categories: (a) safety skills; (b) skills needed to access the community; (c) hygiene and dressing skills; (d) skills needed to access technology; (e) skills needed to buy and prepare food; (f) competency training; (g) housekeeping skills; (h) toileting skills; (i) feeding skills (including addressing picky eating, food refusal, and sensory-based issues with food); (j) staff and personnel training; (k) communication; (l) challenging behavior; (m) sleep and sleep hygiene; (n) choice making; and (o) specialty counseling. \n\nAll AST staff comply with CDSS, DDS, HIPAA, Title 17, and Title 22 regulations, maintain documentation, and ensure dignity, safety, and client rights.\n\nJob Responsibilities and Essential Functions\nReports To: AST Director and AST Assistant DirectorRole Focus: Designs and implements adaptive skills training plans and provides supervision to Adaptive Skills Training Specialists and BMTs as appropriate. \n\nBehavioral Support\n\nDesign AST curriculum and adaptive skills programs\nConduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and develop intervention plans\nOversee implementation of BIPs, ABA, and behavior support across staff \nLead implementation of BIPs and ABA strategies\nMentor BMT staff in behavior support and crisis prevention\nParticipate in behavioral assessments and intervention planning\nImplement Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs), positive behavioral support strategies, and individualized programming as developed under supervisor direction.\nApply Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, CPI intervention techniques, de-escalation strategies, sensory integrations, and environmental modifications to support emotional regulation and reduce challenging behaviors.\nTeach, model, and reinforce functional communication, coping skills, and replacement behaviors.\nMonitor participant behaviors and respond appropriately to behavioral, emotional, or safety concerns in accordance with program protocols.\nMaintain participant dignity, privacy, personal rights, and confidentiality at all times.\nImmediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, injuries, safety concerns, or participant rights violations in accordance with organizational policies and mandated reporting requirements.\n\nAdaptive Skills Training & Direct Care\n\nSupervise Specialists and BMTs in teaching adaptive skills as appropriate\nProvide direct care when needed and ensure skill generalization across settings\nApprove instructional materials and activity plans as appropriate\nAdapt curriculum and materials for individualized instruction\nMonitor skill acquisition for multiple clients and mentor BMTs in delivery\nProvide individualized support and adaptive skills training to promote participants independence, self-care, vocational readiness, emotional well-being, and community integration.\nSupport participants with activities of daily living (ADLs), including feeding, toileting, hygiene, grooming, dressing, mobility, and meal preparation using person-centered and least-restrictive approaches.\nPlan, prepare, adapt, and facilitate structured classes, vocational training, recreational activities, life skills instruction, and community-based activities tailored to participant needs and goals. \nEncourage participant active participation, engagement, social interaction, and positive peer relationships during program activities.\nSupport participants in accessing community resources, volunteer opportunities, recreational outings, and other community integration activities.\nSafely transport participants to program activities, volunteer sites, community outings, appointments, and other approved locations as assigned.\nRespect participants’ needs and choices while facilitating and motivating them to learn.\nBuild and maintain a supportive, trusting relationship with each participant to promote engagement, comfort, and meaningful progress toward their individual goals. \n\nData Collection & Documentation\n\nReview and approve all data, ISP reports, and compliance documentation\nEnsure program-wide adherence to CDSS, DDS, HIPAA, Title 17, and Title 22 requirements\nReview BMT data for accuracy and completeness\nPrepare ISP progress reports and monthly check-ins\nCollect and maintain accurate daily documentation related to participant behaviors, skill acquisition, progress, participation, and incidents.\nComplete Daily Progress Reports, incident reports, ISP objective tracking, monthly summaries, and other required documentation in a timely manner.\nAssist with semi-annual and annual ISP progress reports and other participant-related documentation as assigned.\nMaintain confidentiality of participant information in compliance with HIPAA, CDSS regulations, and organizational policies.\n\nCollaboration & Communication\n\nLead ISP meetings, parent check-ins, and interdisciplinary team collaboration when needed\nCoordinate with Regional Center staff, community partners, and families when needed\nMentor Specialists and BMTs in communication, documentation, and professional standards\nParticipate actively in ISP meetings and parent check-ins as assigned\nCollaborate with AST Professionals, BCBAs, families, and staff to ensure program fidelity\nCommunicate effectively, respectfully, and proactively with participants, families, team members, and supervisors regarding participants' needs, progress, safety, incidents, and concerns.\nAttend and participate in staff meetings, team meetings, ISP meetings, and parent check-ins; contribute meaningfully to the development and review of care plans. Attendance at all staff meetings and training is mandatory.\nCollaborate with interdisciplinary team members to ensure consistent implementation of participant support plans. \nProvide close supervision, assistance, and engagement to ensure participants' safety, well-being, and needs are consistently met.\nBe a collaborative and supportive team member; support coworkers and actively promote a positive team culture and morale.\n\nProgram Flexibility & Team Support\n\nParticipate in cross-training to develop skills and effectively support multiple participants across program settings.\nDemonstrate flexibility in accepting participant assignments based on program and participant needs as determined by supervisors.\nProvide consistent, quality support to all assigned participants and collaborate with team members to ensure continuity of services.\n\nSafety & Emergency Procedures\n\nEnsure staff compliance with CPI, First Aid, CPR, and emergency procedures\nOversee safety protocols across all direct care and community activities as assigned\nSupervise BMTs to ensure proper application of CPI, First Aid, CPR, and emergency protocols\nMaintain a safe environment for all participants across all program settings, including the facility, community, and home-based activities.\nFollow established safety protocols and emergency procedures; intervene promptly and appropriately as situations require.\nEngage in proactive, precautionary practices to identify and mitigate health, safety, and other risks to participants' well-being.\nApply CPI, First Aid, CPR, and other emergency protocols, including evacuations, as appropriate to participant needs and circumstances.\n\nAdministrative Duties\n\nLead program evaluation and continuous improvement\nOversee HR compliance, staff training, and program documentation as assigned\nApprove schedules, reports, and training compliance for Specialists and BMTs when appropriate\nAssist in staff training, onboarding, and program compliance tracking\nParticipate in program evaluations and quality improvement initiatives\nComplete all required HR paperwork including timekeeping, mileage reporting, and training documentation accurately and on time.\nMaintain current certifications, clearances, and compliance documentation as required for the position.\nParticipate in required training, organizational events, and program activities.\nWhen assigned to support participants during scheduled meal times, staff are expected to provide active supervision and assistance during lunch as part of their compensated work hours.\nPerform other duties as assigned. \n\nQualifications\nEducation:\n\nMust be at least 19 years of age.\nMaster’s degree in Education, Psychology, Nursing, Social Work, Applied Behavior Analysis, or behavior medicine, speech and language, rehabilitation, marriage and family therapy, or a comparable degree in a human services related field.\nMinimum one (1) year of experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities preferred.\n\nProfessional Skills:\n\nProficient oral and written communication skills in English; Mandarin or Cantonese preferred. \nAbility to implement positive behavioral support strategies and respond effectively to challenging behaviors.\nAbility to facilitate structured activities, adaptive skills training, and participant engagement.\nStrong interpersonal, organizational, problem-solving, and time-management skills.\nAbility to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining professionalism and sound judgment.\nProficiency in Microsoft Office, email communication, and electronic documentation systems.\nAbility to adapt to changing participant needs and program priorities.\n\nCertifications & Compliance:\n\nCPR and First Aid certification required within one (1) month of hire.\nCPI certification required within three (3) months of hire if not already current.\nSuccessful completion of DOJ and CDSS fingerprint clearance, health screening, and TB testing prior to employment.\nA valid California Driver's License and a clean driving record are required. Transporting participants to community activities, outings, and appointments is an essential function of this position that cannot be comparably performed using alternative transportation (California Government Code §12940, SB 1100, effective January 1, 2025). \nCurrent automobile insurance required if transporting participants in a personal vehicle.\n\nPersonal Traits:\n\nPatient, caring, empathetic, and genuinely committed to enhancing the quality of life, independence, and well-being of adults with developmental disabilities.\nReliable, punctual, and accountable; takes initiative and follows through on responsibilities with a strong work ethic.\nCreative, innovative, and solution-oriented, with a positive, can-do attitude.\nFlexible and adaptable, with the ability to work effectively across program, community, and home-based settings.\nCollaborative team player who supports coworkers, respects diverse perspectives, and contributes to a positive and inclusive work environment.\nCommitted to upholding the dignity, rights, and privacy of all participants at all times.\n\nPhysical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:\nThe physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, in accordance with the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).\n\nAbility to stand, walk, and remain on feet for extended periods throughout the workday.\nAbility to bend, stoop, kneel, and assist with participant transfers, mobility support, personal care, and hygiene tasks.\nAbility to push a manual wheelchair for participants who require mobility assistance during facility activities, community outings, and transportation as assigned. \nAbility to lift and carry up to 25 pounds unassisted on a regular basis.\nAbility to operate electronic devices, including tablets and computers, for documentation and communication purposes.\nAbility to drive and transport participants in personal or company vehicles during community outings, field trips, and other program activities; a personal vehicle with valid registration and current automobile insurance is required when transporting participants.\nMust be available for varied assignments across program, community, and home-based settings as operational needs require.\n\nCompany-Wide Hiring Requirements\n\nMust pass CDSS and DOJ fingerprint-based background clearance prior to employment\nMust pass a health screening and TB test prior to employment\nMust possess a valid driver's license and have a clean driving record\nObtain valid CPR and First Aid Certificate within one month of employment (employer-covered)\nUse of mask when recommended/required by the local Public Health Department.\n\nEmployee Benefits:\n\nHealth Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)\nLife/AD&D Insurance\nLifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for Wellness & Fitness\nPaid Time Off (PTO)\nPaid Sick Leave (PSL)\n401(k) & company matching\nHoliday Paid Days\nSign-On Bonus\nReferral Bonus Program