Description
About Ray Graham Association
Ray Graham Association (RGA) empowers people with disabilities to reach, grow, and achieve by providing compassionate, person-centered services that foster independence and inclusion. Our team is committed to upholding our mission through collaboration, respect, and accountability in everything we do.
The Assistant Director of Program Supports (ADPS) ensures the consistent delivery of high-quality, person-centered services to people supported within the Community Living Resources (CLR) program. This position provides strong, compassionate leadership through coaching, mentoring, and direct supervision of a team of Residential Coordinators (RC), Residential Supervisors (RS), and over 100 Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).
The ADPS ensures that all program locations meet or exceed regulatory standards set by DHS, HCBS, DCFS, IDPH, BQM, CQL, and other governing bodies. This role partners closely with the Senior Director and other Assistant Directors to ensure consistent systems implementation, effective staff training, operational efficiency, and adherence to RGA’s mission and values.
This is a highly visible leadership position requiring initiative, flexibility, and a commitment to quality, safety, and person-centered practices.
Status: Full-Time, On-Call
Schedule: Generally daytime hours Monday–Friday, with a minimum of one evening per week and two weekend days per month. This position requires travel to various CLR locations within DuPage County and flexibility based on operational needs.
Benefits:
- Benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid time off (PTO), retirement plan, mileage reimbursement, and professional development opportunities.
Additional Information:
Ray Graham Association is a drug-free workplace. All employees may be subject to random drug testing in accordance with organizational policy, state and federal regulations.
Requirements
Leadership & Accountability
· Ensure that all Residential Coordinators, Residential Supervisors, and DSPs understand and uphold the organization’s mission, values, and compliance standards.
· Work collaboratively with other ADPS leaders to ensure consistent implementation of policies, procedures, and systems.
· Maintain oversight of program compliance, safety, and quality of care, addressing performance or compliance concerns proactively.
· Design and oversee training and development initiatives, including On-the-Job Training (OJT), to strengthen staff competence and confidence.
· Maintain a visible leadership presence across CLR homes to model best practices, assess program quality, and support team members.
· Conduct regular supervision meetings with RC and RS, providing feedback, setting goals, and managing performance improvement as needed.
Team Development & Communication
· Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high performance across all levels of the CLR team.
· Actively mentor supervisors and facilitate open communication channels between leadership, team members, and families.
· Promote continuous learning, team development, and problem-solving to achieve positive outcomes.
· Collaborate with other RGA departments to ensure alignment with organizational goals, strategic priorities, and seamless service delivery.
Advocacy & Person-Centered Support
· Lead onboarding and integration for new hires, ensuring clarity of role expectations and adherence to person-centered principles.
· Engage with people supported, their families, and team members to ensure individualized, responsive, and empowering supports.
· Model and reinforce the “Nothing for us without us” approach, ensuring that the person supported is at the center of all decisions.
· Promote ongoing staff education in person-centered practices, safety, and quality standards.
Community Partnerships & Compliance
· Build and maintain relationships with external partners, families, and community organizations to support inclusion, safety, and personal growth.
· Ensure all program locations maintain compliance with CMS, BALC, BQM, OIG, DCFS, CQL, and HCBS standards.
· Enforce consistent policy and procedure implementation to meet or exceed all regulatory requirements.
Key Attributes
· Strong leadership and accountability skills.
· Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
· Commitment to RGA’s mission of empowering people with disabilities to reach, grow, and achieve.
· Flexible and proactive in a dynamic, person-centered environment.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Valid Driver's License
- Completion of CANTS, LEADS, HCWR, And State Police checks
- Bilingual- Preferred
- Previous Direct Support job experience with people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
- 1-3 years of supervisor experience (3-5 years preferred)
- QIDP experience preferred.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
- Valid Driver's License.
- Completion of CANTS, LEADS, HCWR, and State Police checks.
- Previous Direct Support job experience with people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.
- 1-3 years of supervisor experience.
- 3-5 years of supervisor experience preferred.
- QIDP experience preferred.
- Bilingual.
What We Do
Ray Graham Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing person-centered care and support for people with disabilities and their families. Founded in 1950, its mission is to empower individuals to reach, grow, and achieve by meeting their unique needs, goals, and dreams while improving their quality of life. The organization serves nearly 2,000 people across the Chicago suburbs with a team of about 350 members.
