06/75 L0665

COORDINATOR, FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

Definition: This is responsible administrative work at a state facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities supervising and coordinating a Foster Grandparent Program.

An employee in this class directs and coordinates the program and supervises the employment of all persons as Foster Grandparents at a state facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Work includes developing local contacts for recruitment, conducting and arranging for training courses, hiring persons to be employed as Foster Grandparents and coordinating the activities of Foster Grandparents with the various departments within the facility. The employee gives guidance and direction to all persons working within the program, as well as interpreting the program and its objectives to other staff members and the community. Work may include developing and implementing policy under Federal guidelines for the Foster Grandparent Program. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative supervisor who establishes guidelines and evaluates performance through conferences and reports concerning the effectiveness of the program.

Examples of Work: Develops and implements policy for an institutional Foster Grandparent Program.

Directs and coordinates the program and supervises the employment of persons serving the Foster Grandparents in a state facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Develops local contacts for recruitment of Foster Grandparents.

Conducts and arranges for the conduct of training programs.

Coordinates the activities of Foster Grandparents with the various departments within the facility.

Conducts and arranges pre-service and in-service training courses to be given to persons employed as Foster Grandparents.

Counsels Foster Grandparents on various problems of daily living, such as social security, employment opportunities, housing and health services.

Provides program interpretation to community agencies and facility staff.

Evaluates the effectiveness of the existing program to determine improved methods and procedures.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills and Abilities: Considerable knowledge of economic and social problems of older persons.

Knowledge of community resources.

Some knowledge of administrative principles and practices.

Some knowledge of training practices and techniques.

Some knowledge of personnel practices and counseling.

Ability to speak effectively in public and to express ideas clearly both orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with older persons, professional personnel and community leaders.

Ability to work with community agencies and planning bodies toward program development.

Minimum Experience and Training: Three years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, employment placement, vocational guidance, adult group activity, community organization work, education, casework or nursing, one year of which must have been in a supervisory or counseling capacity; or any equivalent combination of experience and training. 

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST07