SDM Supporter

Duluth office
1330 E Superior St
Ste 203
Duluth, MN 55805, USA

LSS is leading the charge statewide to support older adults, individuals with disabilities, mental health diagnoses, TBIs, and other challenges in cognition through ensuring the appropriate and informed alignment of their decision-making rights.

Supported Decision-Making is an alternative to guardianship and conservatorship that empowers individuals with disabilities or challenges in cognition to make their own decisions – often with the support from trusted people in their lives.
This role can be either full or part time!

Social Workers are encouraged to apply! Supervision hours offered toward LSW licensure.

LSS is the recipient of a generous grant through the state that allows us to implement these services to a variety of capacities, and we are seeking to build upon our statewide team for the coming year.

The following roles, all falling under the umbrella of “SDM Supporter”, are a mix of both full and part time, and all are subject to the terms of the grant.

• Restoration Facilitator
  – Support those served using person-first models by helping them restore decision‑making rights that have been lost to guardianship.
• SDM Facilitator
  – Support those served who are at risk of guardianship by directly educating on and engaging within the decision‑making cycle
• Advance Care Planning Facilitator
  – Complete Health Care Directives with those served and assess the potential for incorporation of additional supports
• Health Care Advocate
  – Provide direct care to those needing support with facilitation of health‑care needs, e.g., scheduling of transportation to and from appointments, developing questions for medical providers, attending medical appointments to support those served, etc.
• Transitional Coordinator
  – Support persons in transition and/or crisis who are at risk of guardianship by structuring support services that best stabilize the individual situation.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• 2-5 years working directly with older adults experiencing cognitive or physical decline
• 2-5 years working directly with persons with a disability diagnosis
• 2-5 years working directly with persons with a mental health diagnosis
• 2-5 years working directly with persons living with a TBI

• Two years of experience in a closely related field with similar clients and similar decision‑making capacity or a bachelor’s degree in human services or other relevant field.
• Valid driver’s license and DHS/BCA background check.
• Extreme detail attention to communications, accurate and timely documentation, and billings.
• Clear and unbiased thinking and ability to support clients’ desires if they are legal and do not cause harm.
• Able to recognize dangerous situations (for client and for self).
• Comfort with ambiguity.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is a dynamic social service organization serving children, youth and families, people with disabilities, older adults, and military veterans. Trustworthiness is a value and strength shared by our employees and recognized by the communities we serve. We offer an ALIVE Workplace (Supportive, Positive, and Fun) and careers that challenge, energize, and reward employees. Consider joining us!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.