Anti-Trafficking Housing Specialist, Stop-It Program

The Salvation Army USA Central Territory•Chicago, IL

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Anti-Trafficking Housing Specialist is to assist in accomplishing the mission of The Salvation Army through the coordination of all mission activities, corps and social service, within the City of Chicago. Provides outreach activities focused on victims of human trafficking. Outreach activities will result in 1) establish a trusting relationship with potential trafficking victims, 2) build victim-identity, and 3) assist them to construct a safe, realistic, and culturally-sensitive plan to leave trafficking, and 4) assist them to create a safe, realistic plan for sustaining life after exit by providing comprehensive case management. Carry out functions that result in achieving expected outcomes as identified in the STOP-IT Program Plan. Special functions may be assigned.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s Degree in social work or relative field from an accredited college or university is required.
Secures and maintains an LSW/LCSW licensure when eligible.
Valid Driver’s license/MVR clearance
Willing to promote the mission of The Salvation Army.
An interpersonal style that is service oriented as well as anticipates and responds to the needs of clients.
A flexible style that also displays a willingness to learn.
An excellent attention to detail, procedures, processes and policies.
Ability to maintain and project a problem-solving approach in case situations with clients and inter/intra agency personnel.
A communication style that exhibits the principles and values of The Salvation Army, communicates information appropriately, as well as fostering team relationships.
A developing knowledge of the principles of social work, counseling, and case management.
An understanding of data management, procedure development and flow of information.
A developing knowledge of how to effectively work with diversity in the workplace.
Must be sensitive to and work appropriately with culturally and socio-economically diverse client populations.
An ability to work with confidential material.
Driver’s license, MVR clearance and a working, appropriately insured automobile preferred.
This individual will only commit Salvation Army resources that have been allocated or approved.
This individual will keep the STOP-IT Program Manager informed on all critical issues relating to their area of responsibility.
This individual will adhere to all policies and procedures in carrying out the responsibilities of this position.
This position is required to do light physical work.
In order to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, the employee is regularly required to use standard office equipment and PC.
The work environment for this position includes a client service environment with a moderate to loud noise level.
Willingness to perform off-site activities which could include home visits, work within schools or within community agencies.
This position may be required to drive a motor vehicle, read maps, and understand directions.
Maintain positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that fosters and maintains positive relationships with co-workers and supervisors. This would include but not be limited to such actions: resolution of conflicts in a positive manner; courteous treatment of staff, clients and visitors; respect of others’ property and person, professional and appropriate communication to and about co-workers, supervisors and subordinates. Support the Mission of The Salvation Army by treating every donor, contact and colleague with respect and dignity, and without discrimination of any kind.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s Degree in Social Work is preferred.
Previous experience in anti-human trafficking work is preferred.

Responsibilities

Using program’s housing assessment, develops housing plan based on the individual needs of program participants and their families, including identifying affordable housing locations for survivors of human trafficking throughout the City of Chicago and non-housing needs in order to establish self-sufficient life.
Acts as a liaison between landlords and program participants and satisfies program commitments with all involved parties to ensure stable housing as an integral part of survivors’ ability to exit and remain out of exploitative situations.
Conducts housing needs assessment for program participants in order to identify appropriate resources for participants, offering available options and providing information so that participants can make informed decisions regarding their housing decision.
Provides outreach activities within the agency’s program policies and procedures, focused on assisting victims in leaving human trafficking. May be required to conduct a majority of direct service or outreach related activities off site, including client meetings, home visits, and work within community agencies.
With close supervision, conducts assessment of the victim’s immediate threat of harm.
Utilizes and implements a strengths-based, person-centered approach for assessing the trafficking victim’s readiness for leaving their trafficking situation, for designing interventions for planning the victim’s exit strategies. The strategies utilized include: build trust, restore choice, teach informed decision making skills, create hope of exit, problem-solve barriers to leaving, assist victim to plan effective exit strategies when they are safe and fully prepared to do so, and assist in the exit.
Consults with supervisor in reviewing and assessing the current stages of outreach cases.
Develops and implements appropriate intervention strategies that recognize the current stage of readiness to leave their situation, and supports the victim’s movement to the next stage toward exiting trafficking. Regularly reviews client’s progress with the supervisor.
Identifies community resources and assists in developing linkages with providers and law enforcement that support the implementation of the STOP-IT program and the client outcomes.
Maintains frequent case-related contacts with local resources, collateral sources, public and private agencies and organizations, and law enforcement, to advocate on behalf of clients. Refers clients for services, as needed.
Obtains appropriate Release of Information before a referral is made.
Under the supervisor’s direction, processes requests for financial assistance to clients within agency policy.
In consultation with the Supervisor, initiates contact with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services as a mandated reporter when child abuse or neglect is suspected.
In Consultation with the Supervisor, initiates contact with the Elder Abuse Hotline as a mandated reporter when elder abuse is suspected.
Keeps supervisor informed regarding case related subpoenas and attends court when appropriate.
Keeps supervisor informed of clients in crisis who may be at-risk, and any situation or incident that may require immediate attention, to prevent harm to anyone by following the agency emergency plan in the Policy and Procedures Manual. In a timely fashion, reports such contacts, situations or incidents in either internal or Safe From Harm incident reports.
Maintains STOP-IT hotline as assigned and shared with other team members.
Completes case and statistical recordings, and other required reports and record-keeping for assigned clients per manual on “Office Policies and Procedures.”
Engages in bi-weekly (additional as needed) professional supervision with designated supervisor.
Maintains awareness of applicable liability issues and other applicable legal issues, and their potential to affect agency and/or clients.
Abides by The Salvation Army Code of Ethics and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics, including NASW standards for cultural competence in social work practice.
Awareness of agency policies, procedures, and programs. May contribute ideas and suggestions for change with the knowledge/participation of the immediate supervisor.
Collaborate with other Salvation Army units and personnel to successfully maintain and achieve policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and outcome-based measures related to Hope-Strong philosophy.
Understands, and can effectively work under, the Mission of The Salvation Army.
Performs special administrative assignments or duties as may be delegated.
Attends agency’s general, professional, training, and consultation meetings. Presents case-related information for learning purposes.
When necessary, may be asked to perform certain record keeping functions such as typing case notes/recording, filing case records, etc. Takes initiative in maintaining smooth functioning of office which may include answering phone calls, taking messages, opening and closing office, etc.
May be assigned to perform services in conjunction with Corps Community Centers, Disaster Services and other Salvation Army programs.
Participates in bi-weekly supervisory conferences with the supervisor to discuss cases. Attends office peer supervision group.
Works in collaboration with the City of Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services, including the DV/HT Coordinated Entry System, and the Administration of Children and Family’s CHA Human Trafficking Special Initiative.
May attend schools, other agency meetings, or court hearings as appropriate, and with supervisory approval.
As delegated by the supervisor, participates in networking with community groups or activities dealing with the social problems of individuals or families.
Provides community-specific trainings to groups such as law enforcement, medical providers, social service provides and other appropriate community groups.
Participates in community planning and/or organizing activities related to the problems designated as relevant to the agency’s objectives. May assess community needs for the agency’s services and collaborate in the development of recommended plans for meeting these needs. This should be done with the knowledge and consent of the supervisor.
With the supervisor’s knowledge, participates in professional seminars, conferences and workshops to increase professional knowledge and secure licensure.
Remains abreast of new developments in the social work field and consults with the supervisor on their effectiveness and relevancy to clients’ needs.
Participates in training sessions offered by City Mission, as evidenced by staff sign-in sheets.
All other duties as assigned.