Resident Program Advisor; RPA)

BDI is developing a Community-Based Independent Living initiative designed to support adults who desire to live more independently while having access to individualized, person-centered supports. Participants live in their own apartments within an inclusive community and receive support focused on independence, life skills, employment, community engagement, and connection to BDI and community resources.

The Resident Program Advisor (RPA) is an onsite BDI professional who serves as a consistent resource, coach, connector, and community builder for participating residents. The RPA supports residents in developing and maintaining individualized Independent Living Plans (ILPs), building practical skills, accessing services and resources, navigating challenges, and becoming meaningfully connected to the broader community.

Because many residents may work, attend school, or participate in day programs during traditional weekday hours, this role requires significant schedule flexibility, including regular evening and weekend availability. The RPA is required to reside onsite within the designated apartment community.

• Build positive, professional, person-centered relationships with participating residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Work with each resident to develop, implement, and periodically review an individualized Independent Living Plan (ILP) based on the resident’s goals, strengths, preferences, and support needs.
• Conduct scheduled individual check-ins and provide coaching, encouragement, problem-solving support, and follow-up related to ILP goals.
• Help residents establish routines and develop skills that promote successful independent living, self-advocacy, choice, and personal responsibility.
• Recognize changes in resident circumstances or support needs and coordinate appropriate follow-up or referral within the scope of the role.
• Maintain accurate resident documentation, progress notes, activity records, incident documentation, and program reporting as required.

• Provide coaching and coordinate learning opportunities related to budgeting, meal planning, household management, organization, time management, communication, transportation, community navigation, self-advocacy, and other independent living skills.
• Facilitate individual and group workshops or activities based on resident needs and interests.
• Connect residents, as appropriate, with BDI services such as Employment Services, Benefits Navigation, Counseling, and other available supports.
• Connect residents with external community resources and service providers when needs fall outside BDI services or the scope of the RPA role.
• Support residents in identifying employment, education, volunteer, recreational, wellness, and other meaningful community opportunities.
• Communicate and collaborate with families or other members of a resident’s support network when authorized by the resident and appropriate.

• Develop and coordinate inclusive social, recreational, educational, wellness, and community-building activities that encourage meaningful connection and belonging.
• Create opportunities for participating residents to engage naturally with other residents of the apartment community and the broader community.
• Maintain a regular calendar of engagement opportunities, including activities during evenings and weekends when residents are most likely to participate.
• Encourage participation while respecting individual preferences, choices, interests, and levels of desired engagement.
• Collaborate with apartment management, residents, BDI staff, community organizations, volunteers, and partners to support inclusive events and activities.
• Represent and support BDI at resident activities, community events, outreach events, and other program-related activities as needed.

• Educate residents on established safety procedures, emergency resources, community expectations, and appropriate use of emergency services.
• Serve as an onsite resource during established working hours and any assigned on-call periods, following BDI protocols for escalation and response.
• Assess concerns and appropriately connect or elevate to BDI leadership, property management, 911, crisis services, families/support persons, or other resources according to established procedures.
• Complete required incident…