Youth Shelter Diversion Specialist

Youth Shelter Diversion Specialist

New Reach is undergoing an exciting transformation in order to bring the organization to its next level of success. Working to provide, shelter, housing, stabilization and support for children, families and individuals experiencing homelessness across CT since 1990, New Reach inspires independence for those affected by homelessness and poverty. Using the most innovative and progressive methods through a continuum of housing and support, New Reach has grown to be one of the most effective nonprofits of its kind in the United States.

The Youth Shelter Diversion Specialist is responsible for conducting phone and in-person assessments with youth, individuals, and families to prevent households experiencing literal or imminent homelessness from entering shelter. This position facilitates connections to community resources and supports that address identified needs, promoting housing stability and self-sufficiency. The Youth Shelter Diversion Specialist also collaborates with the local homeless services network to coordinate shelter placements when appropriate and available.

Essential functions include:

• Perform assessments to homeless and unstably housed populations within Greater New Haven with the goal of diverting people from having to enter shelter
• Provide services in different office locations as required.
• Provide referrals and support to clients being diverted from shelter to help stabilize their households
• Confirm eligibility criteria for any family entering the shelter system, provide client/landlord mediation and/or family mediation interventions and diversion techniques as appropriate
• Participate in daily community phone calls to advocate for prioritization
• Creatively access, utilize, and monitor use of flexible funds for clients when available
• Assist families receiving financial diversion with the leasing process, and perform housing inspections to ensure compliance with Housing Habitability Standards and Lead Visual Assessments
• Ensure all documentation is entered into Homeless Management Information System Database (HMIS) and any other data database within 24-48 hours of incident/contact
• Follow all mandated reporting requirements per Department of Children and Families when applicable
• Develop a strong profile within the homeless services community to strengthen diversion referrals and increase accessibility for collaboration with partnering agencies
• Attend required trainings programs and community meetings, and regularly scheduled supervision, staff and or other meetings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned to ensure successful programmatic operations

Qualifications include:

• Bilingual English and Spanish preferred
• Associate's degree plus 3 years human services experience; bachelor's degree preferred
• Desire to promote equal access and opportunity for families experiencing homelessness
• Experience in housing, housing law, and other related areas preferred
• Highly motivated, creative with excellent interpersonal skills and crisis intervention abilities
• Strong advocacy, documentation, and computer skills required
• Ability to work with a team and independently with initiative
• Access to reliable transportation

Expectations include:

• Have a solutions-based approach to presented problems.
• Be supportive, engaging and encouraging to peers and staff.
• Be adaptable to change and willing to take on more responsibility.
• Maintain strict confidentiality concerning any client's or employees' personal information, living information, and/or HIV status
• Provides a commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion and Initiative
• Adheres to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures

Physical demands include:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.