Hmong Speaking Outreach & Advocacy intern - fall 2021

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This stipend eligible position is for the fall 2021 and includes a $1000 stipend paid in December.Supports The Arc’s general advocacy work around a variety of life topics. Work is done in collaboration & under supervisions of The Arc Minnesota’s Southeast Regional Community Coordinator. Specific duties may include:

Responsibilities:

• Support outreach efforts to build community awareness and partnerships to maintain and promote visibility. Identify community agencies, businesses, government, education and other groups to create awareness of The Arc. Build efforts to build awareness of cultural diversity in the region to build The Arc’s capacity to meet their needs.
• Support regional needs assessment through individual interviews, focus groups and community conversations to identify unmet needs. Create and report results that will inform agency and regional response.
• Work with Legislative Advocacy Coordinator to develop Capitol Connector team, to engage community members on The Arc MN’s priority state and federal issues and support meetings of local Capitol Connector teams. Support and organize efforts to engage southeast MN community members with Disability Day at the Capitol, Tuesdays at the Capitol and/or Get Out the Vote initiatives.
• Create and support outreach efforts to engage adults with IDD in self-advocacy. Will create opportunities for adults with IDD to strengthen their leadership skills, voice and the impact they can have within their own and others’ lives. This group will inform The Arc Minnesota southeast region about unmet needs on services and resources in this region.
• Conduct research and provide recommendations on peer support specialist models that leverage volunteers to support information, assistance and advocacy services, parents and persons with disabilities and service delivery.
• Respond to daily operational needs of the Regional Community Coordinator with
  • Information, assistance and advocacy inquiries
  • Providing community presentations to inform community about The Arc
  • Supporting Regional Advisory Council project plan that includes development and implementation of programs and services, special events and fundraising, regional conference.

• Conduct outreach into the community to share The Arc’s resources by attending and/or hosting booths at community events, government, education, business and other regional committee meetings to inform members about The Arc’s current projects, events, services and supports.
• Provide administrative, logistical, programmatic &/or evaluative support impacting the disability community
• Other duties as requested

Professional Development Opportunities & Benefits:

• Includes a $1000 stipend payable in December or the utilization of work-study if eligible.
• Apply knowledge of services, policies & programs relevant to the field of social work & the disability community
• Will gain a better understanding of the issues facing the disability community & will learn advocacy methods
• Attend to professional roles & boundaries, professional demeanor in behavior, appearance & communication
• Develop effective relationships with individuals with disabilities, their families, colleagues & supervisor
• Gain a working knowledge of person centered thinking, planning & application
• Demonstrates skill in effective use of resources & supports

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of services & supports for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities & their family
• Strong interpersonal & problem solving skills necessary; includes presentation skills
• Ability to successfully work both as a team member & independent; willingness to learn, be coached & be mentored
• Proficient computer skills, manages multiple priorities & follows a project through to completion
• Technical expertise or the willingness to acquire technical skills in remote learning platforms
• Bilingual speaking individual with lived experience in a culturally specific community preferred

Time Commitment: September - December 2021 at 10-14 hours per week. Work is done remotely or in the Rochester office.

The Arc Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to promote and protect the human rights of people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through statewide programs and services, we help people navigate systems while working to advance social change centered in justice, equity, and belonging in community.