Family Advocate, FT
Why Work For Simpson?
Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty. On a daily basis, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and dignity of every person and encourage people to draw upon their strengths and promote the power of self-advocacy.
Commitment to Diversity and Racial Justice
Simpson Housing Services is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to the principles of diversity. Diversity continues to be our primary focus in staffing and hiring, as it is important to us that our staff demographics be representative of the population demographics whom we serve. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
How Can You Contribute?
This position provides case management services and crisis intervention to families experiencing long-term homelessness. This position works with families to improve the quality of individual lives, strengthen family functioning, and educate for more effective community living. This position is part of the supportive housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goals of the team are to provide stable housing and effective support services to long-term homeless families. Employee may provide back up for other advocates during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.
This position handles a caseload of approximately 15 participant families.
Participant populations may include those with chemical abuse issues, criminal histories (drug charges, prostitution, fraud, etc.), and/or parenting issues.
Supportive Housing Program goals:
Families will develop self-advocacy skills that will allow them to reach goals of:
- Locating and retaining stable, affordable housing.
- Increased economic resources.
Responsibilities:
Provide effective case management to program participants each week by meeting with them in-person and providing case management services:
- Complete intake and assist with housing placement of new participants.
- Orient participants to service polices/procedures.
- Meet with families at their place of residence to strengthen family functioning each week.
- Assist participants in developing goals focused on improving stability and self-sufficiency and monitor progress.
- Assist participants to connect with appropriate community resources and advocacy for goals.
- Provide transportation and accompany residents to appointments related to their goals.
- Follow SHS guidelines regarding participants’ program agreements with SHS. This can include setting up family support meetings when necessary.
- Offer resources to non-participant residents of the site-base project, if applicable.
Assist participants to increase family stability each week by meeting with them in-person and providing case management services:
- Provide on-going support, guidance, and referrals on parenting and healthy family functioning.
- Support and refer participant families who are struggling with mental health concerns that are impacting their housing.
- Initiate and participate in collaborative meetings with individuals from other community support programs who are providing services to families.
- Work with school age children to increase school attendance, academic achievement, parent involvement, and community connections.
- Complete ASQ and ASQ:SE developmental assessments with parents of children birth to age 5. Connect families with appropriate early childhood resources to address any areas of concern or identified needs.
- Collaborate with SHS Early Childhood Specialist and Education Support Advocates to make referrals and coordinate services when appropriate.
- Assist participant to connect with furniture and other necessary household items.
Assist participants with housing stability goals each week by meeting with them in-person and providing case management services:
- Provide information to participant families regarding housekeeping, care of property, and expectations of their leases.
- Assist participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID for self or children, evictions on record, etc.
- Assist participants with the location of permanent housing when needed or appropriate.
- Provide crisis intervention services to participant families to ensure housing stability.
Assist program participants to increase financial stability each week by meeting with them in-person and providing case management services:
- Assist participants to access and maintain needed government benefits such as MFIP, SSI, health coverage, and child care.
- Assist participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
- Assist participants to develop spending plans and promote SHS savings program.
Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:
- Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend weekly team meetings, other required meetings.
- Coordinate with the landlord engagement specialist and housing specialist for housing placement and tenant education.
- Communicate with property management companies regarding tenant placement, tenancy concerns, and property issues.
- Distribute in-kind donations.
Complete accurate and thorough documentation and record keeping each day and ensure case notes are update weekly:
- Maintain individual electronic files, including case notes, signed data privacy, intake and discharge summaries, and Release of Information.
- Compile statistical reports for funding sources and program management including entry into HMIS data systems.
- Maintain accurate records including employee time sheets and travel expenses.
- Participate with funding reports, grant writing and site visits.
- Other duties as assigned.
Provide positive representation of SHS through public relations and networking:
- Interpret and promote the program to constituents, speak to community organizations or church groups.
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, participants and other stakeholders.
- Network with providers of similar services.
- Participate in professional meetings, workshops, and staff meetings.
Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities and skills:
- Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
- Ability to be flexible and manage time.
- Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model.
- Ability to communicate effectively, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others.
- Ability to work with individuals from very diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with guests, volunteers, staff and public.
- Possess superior computer skills, with experience in Microsoft Office.
- Demonstrate ability to learn and use computer database for client records.
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or equivalent experience is required.
- Driver’s License and a vehicle are required.
Desired:
- Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services is desired.
- Training or experience working with low-income families, diverse populations, and those who are homeless is desired.
- Knowledge of mental health, chemical dependency, physical or sexual abuse is desired.
Essential Mental Functions
The employee, in collaboration with the participant, must determine the needs of the participants and how best to meet these needs. This means, the employee will assess a participant’s situation to be able to identify more fully the needs of the participants.
The employee must draw on the ability to empathize, problem solve, and the ability to accept people unconditionally with an openness to new ideas.
To interpret policies and guidelines, employee must draw on analytical abilities.
The employee must understand and apply knowledge of homelessness, social support systems, advocacy, tenant law and case management in terms of providing services to families in crisis.
Home visitation requires the employee to be aware of personal safety.
Essential Physical Functions
Employee must be able to hear and speak, in order to communicate with staff and participants in person, on the telephone and in writing. Employee must be able to move about the community and public places (such as apartment buildings). Employee must be able to lift 40 pounds on an occasional basis.
Percentage time spent away from main office/location: 80%,
Travel includes travel within the community including but not limited to participant homes, attending community meetings, and accompanying participants to appointments.
Percentage time spent in direct care (Working directly with participants/individuals we support): 80%
Type of guidance and supervision received: Will participate in weekly team meetings as well as bi-weekly direct supervision meetings.
Number of Direct Reports: None
Number of In-direct Reports: May provide volunteer/intern supervision
Budget Responsibility: None