Housing Resource Center Service Coordinator

Job Description

Job Description

Covenant House California (CHC) is a nonprofit organization that provides sanctuary and support for youth overcoming homelessness, ages 18-24. CHC believes that no young person deserves to be homeless; that every young person in California deserves housing, food, clothing, education, and most importantly, to be loved. CHC provides a full continuum of services to meet the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people.

CHC’s doors are open to youth and staff regardless of their race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We believe that youth and team members deserve to be in an environment that is inclusive and affirming; where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and valued and appreciated for who they are. Maintaining a diverse community of youth and staff is key to our ability to achieve our mission most effectively. We are also committed to being a leader in advancing anti-racism, and to promoting opportunities for the free expression of the lived experiences of our youth and staff.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe that every young person deserves a place to belong. We think it takes all kinds of people to create diverse solutions to end youth homelessness and we are on a committed journey to build an inclusive and equitable work culture that brings out the best in everyone.

Covenant House California offers an excellent benefits package, (most benefits effective date of hire), including medical, vision, dental, an EAP program, 403b retirement account, and a generous vacation package.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Housing Resource Center (HRC) Service Coordinator is an hourly, non-exempt, frontline direct-service position serving transition-age youth under age 25 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness throughout Alameda County.

HRC Service Coordinators serve as a primary point of engagement and ongoing support for young people accessing Covenant House California's Housing Resource Centers, Coordinated Entry services, and community-based outreach. The Service Coordinator works directly with young people to identify immediate needs and housing goals; provide Housing Problem Solving; complete Coordinated Entry activities and assessments; develop Housing Support Plans; connect youth to prevention, housing, healthcare, employment, education, benefits, and community-based resources; and maintain ongoing engagement until homelessness is resolved or the young person is connected to a deeper level of service.

The position provides services through CHC's Oakland and Hayward HRC locations, scheduled appointments, telephone engagement, and field-based outreach throughout Alameda County. Service Coordinators use a holistic, trauma-informed, person-centered, strengths-based, culturally responsive, and youth-centered approach.

HRC Service Coordinators work under HRC program management and collaborate closely with the HRC Data Coordinator/CES Matcher, Employment Specialist, CHC programs, Alameda County, Housing Resource Centers, outreach teams, healthcare providers, schools, and other community partners.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Housing Problem Solving & Prevention

· Conduct a Housing Problem Solving conversation prior to other Coordinated Entry interventions for eligible and interested young people.

· Explore real-time housing resolutions including natural supports, reunification, mediation/conflict resolution, relocation, shared housing, affordable housing, and other safe housing alternatives.

· Assist eligible youth with accessing allowable flexible financial assistance when directly connected to a housing resolution and in accordance with County requirements.

· Support young people with identifying affordable, subsidized, Below Market Rate, and other housing opportunities outside of Coordinated Entry.

· Complete required prevention eligibility screening and assessments, assist with Housing Stabilization Plans, collect required documentation, and provide stabilization support consistent with County procedures.

Coordinated Entry

· Develop and maintain Housing Support Plans and administer appropriate Crisis, Interim, Housing Needs, and other required Coordinated Entry assessments.

· Clearly communicate assessment outcomes, queue status, documentation requirements, and next steps to youth.

· Maintain at least monthly contact with enrolled youth and complete required Current Living Situation Assessments to maintain active CE status.

· Assist prioritized youth in obtaining housing-readiness documentation, including identification, Social Security cards, income documentation, disability verification, and homelessness verification as applicable.

· Make active efforts to locate youth who receive housing matches and assist with timely completion of housing applications and connection to matched resources.

· Continue Housing Problem Solving and exploration of housing outside of CE while youth are awaiting CE resources.

Outreach Services

· Conduct scheduled and targeted field-based outreach throughout Alameda County, including streets, encampments, shelters, schools, community programs, and other locations where TAY experiencing homelessness may be identified.

· Prioritize outreach to youth who have difficulty accessing an HRC, youth who have been on housing queues for extended periods without comprehensive housing navigation, and youth who have been matched to housing resources and require assistance connecting.

· Maintain accurate and current contact information in HMIS and coordinate with regional outreach teams when youth cannot be located.

· Accept and respond to warm handoffs from other Alameda County HRCs and community partners.

Care Coordination

· Assess needs across housing, employment, education, healthcare, behavioral health, benefits, childcare, legal services, food access, permanent connections, and other areas impacting housing stability.

· Maintain current knowledge of TAY-specific resources throughout Alameda County.

· Provide warm handoffs whenever possible and follow up to determine whether referrals were successfully completed.

· Assist youth with accessing public benefits including General Assistance, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, HealthPAC, and other programs for which they may be eligible.

· Connect eligible youth to Housing Community Supports, Enhanced Care Management, primary and specialty healthcare, behavioral health, and other appropriate systems.

Housing Education

· Provide individualized housing education and coaching regarding housing applications, leases, tenant rights, credit, roommate relationships, landlord/property manager communication, and maintaining housing.

· Facilitate or co-facilitate HRC workshops and trainings.

· Support the HRC in providing at least one housing-focused workshop/training each week and maintaining required participation documentation.

Employment & Education Support

· Assess young people's interest and needs related to employment, education, workforce development, and increasing income.

· Provide light-touch employment support, including resume review, job search, and application assistance.

· Connect youth to specialized workforce development, education, training, and paid employment programs.

HMIS, Documentation & Performance

· Complete timely and accurate HMIS documentation of participant profiles, enrollments, Housing Problem Solving events, assessments, CE events, services, flexible funding, Current Living Situation Assessments, queue activity, housing-status changes, and exits as applicable.

· Maintain required documentation and update participant housing, income, benefits, insurance, employment, and contact information when changes occur.

· Maintain an active service caseload consistent with program expectations and provide documented housing-focused services to assigned participants at least monthly.

· Participate in data-quality review and correct documentation deficiencies within required timelines.

· Support collection of participant feedback and program outcome information.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or a related field preferred, but will consider additional relevant experience.

EXPERIENCE: 2-3 years of professional experience working with in homeless services, child welfare or serving other vulnerable populations preferred. Prior case management experience preferred. Lived experience is a plus.

Skills & Knowledge: Must be a self-starter and team player with the ability to work with other staff and build positive rapport with young people. Excellent communication skills, as demonstrated by on-point, timely, and professional correspondence, both written and verbal inter-agency coordination skills (scheduling appointments, and maintaining collaboration with multiple stakeholders and providers). Communication with and about youth must reflect a “strength based” and “trauma informed” approach. Must exercise appropriate independent authority when needed. Must have the ability to make independent decisions for client placement. Must be knowledgeable in the areas of crisis intervention, mental illness, and community-based service delivery, and adolescent development. Knowledge of the full range of public and social services in Alameda County and the Greater Bay Area for low-income, homeless, and foster youth. Bilingual – English / Spanish is a plus.

Transportation/Driving Requirements: TRANSPORTATION / DRIVING REQUIREMENTS: Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid California Driver’s License and an acceptable driving record. Driving is an essential function of this role and includes transporting clients using company vehicles, which may include 8 –12 passenger vans. As a condition of employment, employees assigned driving responsibilities must provide proof of a valid driver’s license and a satisfactory Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) driving record. If an employee is required to use a personal vehicle for work-related travel, including attending off-site meetings or appointments with clients or staff, the employee must maintain and provide proof of valid automobile insurance in accordance with applicable law and company policy.

Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Facility consists of both general business office environments and communal residential shelter environments. Must be able to bend, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time; and to navigate stairs on a daily basis. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work occasionally in outside weather conditions. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on occasion. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Schedule: Full-time, hourly/non-exempt, 40 hours per week. HRC Service Coordinators are direct-service staff and schedules will be established to support required HRC drop-in, appointment, evening, weekend, and field-based outreach coverage. Individual schedules may include evenings and at least one weekend day depending upon program coverage needs. Staff may provide services at CHC's Oakland and Hayward HRC locations and community-based locations throughout Alameda County.

Supervisory Duties: This position does not perform supervisory duties

Equipment Used: Must be able to utilize basic word processing, email, and internet programs. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.