Job Description
Who is Disability Rights Wisconsin? Disability Rights Wisconsin is Wisconsin’s Protection and Advocacy system. The agency is charged with protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and keeping them free from abuse and neglect. Employing a variety of means, our advocates and attorneys use individual casework and systems advocacy to achieve positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We are seeking employees who value this work. In turn, we treat our employees well, offering a supportive environment, talented colleagues, excellent benefits, and generous leave. Disability Rights Wisconsin arose out of a disability civil rights movement demanding that the abuse of people with disabilities end and that people with disabilities be included in life, school, workplaces, and communities. Our core values include: Diversity, Dignity, Independence, Accessibility, Inclusion, Human Rights, and Liberation. Our Programs Include Protection & Advocacy for people with disabilities (addressing abuse/neglect, discrimination, and access to services) Disability Benefits Specialist program (helping people access Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance) Family Care & IRIS Ombudsman program (supporting people to remain in community-based settings) Victim Advocacy services for crime victims with disabilities About This Position The Supervising Advocacy Specialist - Investigations and Monitoring position oversees investigations and monitoring activities under DRW’s protection and advocacy authority, including supervising a team of advocates responsible for collecting case information, conducting investigations, and providing information, guidance, self-advocacy support, consultation, and referrals. This role ensures the timely and accurate collection of relevant data, the monitoring of facilities and trends, and the coordination of reports. In addition, this role oversees the development of case strategy and workload management. Key Responsibilities Facilitate and oversee investigations and monitoring related to abuse and neglect of people with disabilities - 35% Conduct and oversee investigations of abuse and neglect. Utilize interviewing skills to gather relevant information and determine if complaints are substantiated. Analyze records, reports, and relevant documents. Review and track complaints and facility deaths, and maintain information stored in DRW databases. Draft letters, requests, and follow-up correspondence for investigations and monitoring. Properly store any materials & documents collected during the investigation or monitoring. Strategically plan and coordinate monitoring trips and continue to communicate with providers and stakeholders. Alert respective parties of problematic findings from investigations and monitoring activities. Prepare written reports and summaries regarding investigations and monitoring trips. Work collaboratively with external entities and internal stakeholders. Administration – 35% Monitor and track information in notifications mailboxes, and distribute correspondence as needed. Coordinate and implement team meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and updating investigation tracking documents. Create and maintain a system to ensure investigations and monitoring work are appropriately prioritized, tracked, and reported. Edit and proofread investigative reports; ensure that all necessary redactions have been properly performed, secure and attach all relevant documents to investigative reports; ensure external reports are transmitted to the proper recipients. Maintain both electronic and paper files in compliance with DRW data reporting and confidentiality requirements, compile and organize statistical data. Implement, coordinate, and monitor system for complaints; Coordinate and review all complaints and open as investigations when appropriate; integrate complaints with monitoring efforts as necessary; track complaint trends Lead and support team efforts –20% Facilitate check-in meetings and advise on projects, casework, workload, and development. Onboard and mentor new Advocacy Specialists. Provide overall supervision, including performance reviews, recruitment, professional development, etc., of Advocacy Specialists Outreach- 10% Cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with other local, state, and federal agencies, stakeholders, and organizations responsible for investigating, preventing, or otherwise responding to incidents. Attend meetings with state officials. Occasio