Central Region Housing Specialist/Case Manager - Youth Services Counselor II

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies (Including both part and full time positions). The work unit exists to provide a continuum of services for detained youth and youth who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. The unit also serves to represent the Division with local juvenile justice partnerships, committees, statutorily mandated boards, and governmental/private entities including but not limited to district attorneys, public defenders, county departments of human services, judicial officers, juvenile probation, local school districts and mental health centers. This unit provides oversight and fiscal support for detention services that may include screening, assessment, community supervision and treatment of pre-adjudicated youth. Through the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum. This unit also provides case management and juvenile parole services to youth committed to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. This includes planning and oversight for youth in residential placement, facilitation of multidisciplinary teams, the development of transition plans and parole plans, and the active monitoring of juvenile parolees in the community. The region is charged with ensuring the safety and security of each youth, staff, and the community according to Colorado law. The Central Region Office is responsible for resource development and management to facilitate service provision and includes but is not limited to personnel, and contract programs, throughout 11 counties and 5 judicial districts. The position serves as the subject matter expert on housing resources for the regional office. The position identifies resources for youth who will transition from a DYS secure facility or contract residential program to independent living and will need housing resources. The position will develop and maintain a library of resources in the primary geographical areas of the region. These resources may include but not be limited to; available apartments, food assistance, employment, setting up an apartment, mental health resources, medical resources, and any other essential services youth may require. The position will act as a liaison between State and local entities and the region in identifying, obtaining, and retaining housing vouchers for transitioning youth. The position will participate in relevant committees, workgroups, boards, and housing initiatives. The position will partner with the client manager of a youth paroling with a housing voucher, assisting the client manager in case management duties and planning for DYS discharge at the end of the parole period. The position will develop sustainability plans for youth and provide case management services up to a youth’s 26th birthday to youth who voluntarily participate. This position differs from a Youth Services Counselor II Client Manager/Parole Officer in that the housing specialist plays no role in the juvenile parole process, does not possess the authority of a Client Manager/Parole Officer, and continues to serve clients beyond their discharge from parole.

Requirements

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position OR A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.
Full Background.
CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).
Current/Valid and unrestricted CO Driver’s License
Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.
Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment.
The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained.
The results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the Division of Youth Services and may be used as part of the Division's decision on whether I am selected.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of Colorado's Juvenile Justice System, CDHS policies and procedures, and statewide human services agencies and regulations.
Previous Client management or case management experience.
Previous experience working with unhoused youth.
Ability to establish collaborative relationships with internal and external customers, ie; contract programs, state facilities, community providers, Courts, Community Review Boards, Parole Boards, and Law Enforcement agencies.
Previous experience in program monitoring or evaluation.
Collaborative work experience with diverse populations and organizations.
Experience providing technical assistance and training.
Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

Partner with the client manager of committed youth who are referred for a housing voucher to jointly develop the parole plan.
Develop a housing sustainability plan for each youth using a housing voucher to meet their needs in areas of employment, education, mental health, health, basic needs, and other needs that may arise.
Identification of youth who will need and would benefit from a housing voucher.
Identification, connection, and coaching of youth to co-design sustainable ongoing transition plans including the identification and selection of resources to meet individual youth needs.
Using the results of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) to match a youth’s high-need domains with the appropriate services.
Using the Risk-Need-Responsivity Principle to identify responsivity needs and match community services to meet those needs.
Development of a post-discharge case management plan.
Develop a working relationship with youth slated for a housing voucher 90-120 days prior to parole.
Assist youth in navigating the housing voucher application process.
Create and maintain the “Post-Discharge” Client file with all necessary documentation as identified in DYS policy or regional operating procedure.
Serve as secondary case manager beginning in transition and through parole for youth who will have or have a housing voucher.
Engagement with involved family members and development of positive working relationships.
Provide case management services for youth who have a housing voucher from the date of parole discharge until they reach their 26th birthday or no longer have the voucher.
Assist youth in housing search, landlord relationship development, and assistance obtaining utilities.
Assist youth in setting up their apartments. Including acquiring furniture, and household needs.
Counsel youth in budget development and management.
Connecting youth with prosocial activities and community resources.
Track youth with housing vouchers risk using the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument.
Connect youth with housing vouchers to sustainable community resources that match YASI need domains as well as responsivity needs, such as mental health services, substance use treatment services, medical services, transportation, food assistance, etc.
Assist youth in completing assessments related to housing vouchers.
Develop a bank of resources for use by the region with youth who are transitioning to independent living. Housing resources – voucher programs, available apartments in the geographical area, vouchering process, sober living arrangements, and other housing options. Supportive Services – transportation, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical services, food assistance, parenting resources, and other human services agencies in each community in the region. Employment and Education – development of relationships with employers, training programs, local community colleges, training programs as well as local workforce centers. Creation of options for employment/career development for youth on independent living and using housing vouchers.
Providing expert guidance to the region’s client managers on accessing and using services in local communities in the region.
Provide subject matter expertise to the region on child welfare guidance and processes regarding housing vouchers, Chaffee, the Division of Housing, and other housing programs.
Identify housing resources offered by counties and other entities in each geographical area.
Act as a liaison between State and County level committees and workgroups and the region.
Effectively communicate this information to the region.
Participate in State and County committees as necessary, jointly representing the regional perspective.
Work in collaboration with all three Housing Specialists to ensure a unified, consistent approach to the use of housing vouchers, accessing, and using resources, interpreting child welfare memos, and other aspects of DYS’ housing practices.
Other duties that may arise during the course of day-to-day operations.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.