Anyone can be a Community Guide, but must have the specific skills, abilities and qualifications to meet the position requirements. (See Eligibility Requirements)

Community Guides cannot be employed by any organization or individual to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, except for Community Guide Services.  This condition is to ensure that Community Guide services are provided to individuals with disabilities, without any influence, persuasion, or conflict from other sources of services and supports.

Community Guides  may work for a Community Guide organization that only provides Community Guide Services, where an individual with a disability selects their Community Guide from that organization. A Community Guide can also be self-employed, hired by one or many individuals with disabilities, but only to provide Community Guide Services.

       You may not be employed as a Community Guide if you are currently:

• Employed as a support coordinator
• Employed by any adult developmental disability service provider organization
• Provide any service to people with developmental disabilities paid for by Medicaid service and support funding.
  
• Do not meet the minimum qualifications for the position
• Do not meet background screening requirements
• You are that person’s parent or family member
• You act or have acted as a representative for a person who wishes to employ you. (GA DCHMedicaid Manual, Part III NOW and COMP Policies and Procedures)
          

       What personal characteristics are important in a Community Guide?  

• Good communicator
• See things through completion
• Enthusiastic
• A “people” person
• A negotiator
• Problem solver

      What basic entry level skills make an effective Community Guide?

• Ability to address support issues outside of your own experience
  and expertise through research, creativity, and resources.
  
• A strong commitment to self-directed services
• Guided by principles of self-determination and demonstrates through actions
• Ability to share a common vision with an individual
• Holds allegiance to an individual and not to any service or support organization
• Demonstrated business and organizational skills (budgeting, monitoring, documentation)
• Knowledge of human resource practices
• Experience working with people with disabilities in community places
• Knowledge of community resources
• Self-motivated
• People and customer service skills
• Creativity