QIANA HANKINS

Center for Independence of the Disabled is a Open Doors Program that is in partnership with the Department of Health to assist the Homeless, mentally ill, aging, HIV/AIDS, developmentally disabled adults, and formerly incarcerated individuals who reside in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters and intermediate care facilities to determine if clients are appropriate for discharge to the community from referrals through the Department of Health Section Q questionnaire

• Receive and review referrals to determine housing needs
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation in the NYAIL database
• Conduct field visits to inquire new rental opportunities for nursing home residents
• Collaborate with clients, family members, clinical team, legal guardians, and power of attorneys to create a individualized service/initial assessment plan for discharge from skilled nursing facilities and hospitals
• Conduct initial assessment for newly referred clients to determine services
• Escort clients to various community resource agencies such as DSS, SSA, HRA and other non-profit agencies to maintain positive rapport
• Engage with community constituents on various housing barriers affecting nursing home residents, homeless population and advocate for improvement
• Educate clients on leases and sublease agreements
• Educate/train nursing homes staff/community agencies on various rental subsidy programs to improve clients obtaining permanent housing
• Collaborate with landlords, real estate agents and superintendents about available housing within the community
• Calculate income from employment, social Security Administration, Human Resource Administration, retirement plans Unemployment.
• Compute monthly rent based on income and NYS income guidelines and Fair market rate rents according to rental subsidies provided by agency and HPD section 8
• Apply for community resources through the Transition and Diversion Medicaid Waiver Program, Olmstead Housing program, Rapid Housing Transition Program, HASA, OPWDD, Non-profit organizations that provide housing and clinical case management to ensure successful transition to the community
• Report allegations of abuse from nursing home residents to the Department of Health, social workers, and Administration
• Ensure client obtain appropriate home care aide services and Health Homes as needed
• Contact health care insurance to verify Medicaid and other insurance through Managed Long- Term Care providers and problem solve barriers to health home care hours through Independent Consumer Advocacy network
• Provide comprehensive case management, including counseling services
• Apply for rental subsidies through (NHTD Waiver, Rapid Housing, Olmstead Housing) on behalf of clients through community resources and work with various agencies to secure housing and maintain independence in the community
• Complete initial/annual housing inspections prior to move-in and corrective action plans
• Resolve rental arrear issues, uncashed checks, over payments and underpayments
• Provide all participants with appropriate information to take corrective action for housing court cases or refer participants to NYLAG or other non-profit legal assistance agencies
• Process housing grants for residents moving out of nursing homes, shelters and hospitals
• Review rental payments for any discrepancies
• Maintain case progress reports on all complaints via NYAIL computer system.

• Assist residents in developing daily living skills, such as appropriate attire, laundry, and personal hygiene
• Providing clients with concrete problem-solving assistance
• Assist residents in maintaining a positive, healthy, cooperative environment
• Responsible for safety and security of all residents/staff and visitors
• Assisted residents with daily self-care practices, meal preparation and household tasks
• Positively interacted with residents, which helped to demonstrate proper behavior and communication in the community
• Accompanied residents on shopping trips, to medical appointments and to recreational activities, always providing supervision
• Documented medication dosages, behavioral changes and feeding patterns for each patient
• Conducted daily welfare checks and coordinated with facility staff to meet resident needs
• Strategized to improve resident care and satisfaction and held weekly meetings with directors to advocate for resident needs
• Facilitated floor meetings to discuss concerns, review complaints, and convey information about policy changes.

• Supervised a Individual Residential Alternative group home of 6 autistic individuals and 10 staff to ensure policies and procedures per agency and OPWDD were being implemented
• Ensured staff followed medication guidelines
• Reconciled petty cash
• Completed staff scheduling
• Participated in State OPWDD audits
• Counseled and disciplined staff when needed
• Ordered office supplies and food
• Assisted in creating recreational activities for residents
• Reported allegations of abuse, collect reports from staff and any evidence to provide to OPWDD and agency
• Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance
• Oversaw staff schedules and assignments to handle programming demands
• Assisted with hiring new staff, as well as provide training and supervision.