Healthcare and Housing Navigator Specialist for Military Veteran Mental Health Services

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Lancaster, CA

18d•$24 - $25

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities. MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues. MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek. MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off. Veteran Healthcare and Housing Navigator Specialist 35 hours per week / $24.00 - $25.00 per hour (The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.) Summary: Under direct supervision of the Program Manager provides services that include connecting Veterans to VA health care benefits or community health care services where Veterans are not eligible for VA care. Primary duties include case management, care coordination, health education, consultation, benefits linkage, administrative duties, collaboration with the VA, COC and other healthcare service providers. Candidates must be familiar with the Los Angeles County health care system, specifically within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Responsible for working in tandem with HUD-VASH team in providing ongoing support in identifying housing needs and working alongside veteran participants and SSVF staff in locating suitable housing. Will work together with HUD-VASH and SSVF to put together regular inventory of available housing in community. Housing Navigator will build relationships with property owners and managers to expedite the process of getting into housing and be a point of contact for concerns.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human services, preferred
One year of providing psychiatric rehabilitation services to a disabled population/low income and/or homeless population preferred.
Knowledge of health care, social service resource systems and self-help intervention strategies
Experience working with and recruiting landlords, property management and/or real estate practice.
Knowledge of Real estate, social service resource systems and self-help intervention strategies.
Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills including use of motivational interviewing, harm reduction approach, and trauma-informed care.
Strong oral/written communication and listening skills.
Must be team-oriented, self-directed, have good listening and communication skills, the ability to empathize and relate positively to a wide variety of people and dedicated to fulfilling the demands of the position.
Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums.
Proficient typing and computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
Must be team-oriented, self-directed, have good listening and communication skills, the ability to empathize and relate positively to a wide variety of people and dedicated to fulfilling the demands of the position.
Highly organized, detail oriented, and able to effectively manage multiple assignments through accuracy and thoroughness.
Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends when necessary.
Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment
COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period

Nice To Haves

Veteran encouraged to apply

Responsibilities

Work closely with the Veteran’s assigned multidisciplinary team to provide timely, appropriate, Veteran centered care in an equitable manner.
Developing individualized case plans for each veteran household. Identify the veteran’s goals and what action steps should be taken to achieve those goals.
Update and maintain an accurate case file for each veteran, in accordance with the primary contractor’s guidelines and with the VA’s program guidebook.
Entering client information into a secure database, updating, and maintaining the data with the database. Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, county contracted provider, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in required program, including 24 hour turnaround documentation to ensure all required data collection documents (as applicable to your program (HMIS) are submitted on or before due date.
Identify and access other VA benefits and resources, including assisting with filing such claims for which veteran may be entitled
Act as a liaison between the SSVF grantee and the VA or community medical clinic and other healthcare providers, coordinating care for a population of Veterans with complex needs who require assistance accessing health care services or adhering to health care plans.
Interface with HUD-VASH, SSVF, and other government, community and private agencies to obtain permanent housing for veterans and their families that are suitable to their needs. Actively assist and coach participants in all steps of completing the application process. Provide active follow-up during the application process, and act as a housing counselor and advocate for participants when necessary. Will make sure that participant(s) are aware and educated regarding their lease and their rights as a tenant
Act as a liaison between the SSVF grantee, VASH and the Landlord/or community providers, coordinating linkage and referral for a population of Veterans and their families who require assistance accessing and obtaining housing.
Recruiting and engaging housing providers/landlords, assessing and addressing landlord and participant’s housing needs, cultivating relationships with community partners, and supporting veteran families.
Participate in groups that are focused on increasing housing resources for the homeless and will be a representative in advocating for the housing needs of homeless veterans. Will develop relationships through these groups to increase housing resources throughout the CoC
Will be the initial point of contact when making contact with new property owners and managers that have apartments for rent. Housing Navigator will inform new potential landlords regarding what SSVF services are and what the benefits would be of working with our program
Will negotiate with property owners when there is difficulty with getting a participant(s) into housing.
Will identify landlords that are willing to work with those participant(s) that may have high barriers to getting into housing
Will be a point of contact for property owners / managers when they have problems or concerns regarding a veteran tenant and will be able to respond and navigate getting support to address the concern
Screen landlords and assess units for appropriateness via pre-inspections or unit walk-throughs and completion of Habitability checklist
Develop and implement outreach and engagement efforts targeted to affordable housing providers and private market property owners and/or landlords.
Generate and maintain a database of property owners and available units as well as communicate with property owners and or landlords.
Assist in introduction of participant(s) to landlords along with the staff that they will be working with so that landlords feel supported and trusting to rent to participant(s)
Attend and participate in staff meetings and other aspects of the day-to-day operations and community life of the Agency. Work cooperatively with other staff to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of supportive services to the Agency and the veterans and the families it serves
Independently or in collaboration with program staff, complete and maintain all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements Monitor participant and landlord satisfaction
Use trauma-informed, strengths-based, harm reduction, and housing first approaches in all stakeholder interactions
Adhere to ethical principles about confidentiality, informed consent, compliance with relevant laws and agency policies (i.e. critical incident reporting, HIPAA).
Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, county contracted provider, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in required program, including 24 hour turnaround documentation to ensure all required data collection documents (as applicable to your program (HMIS) are submitted on or before due date.
Completes and maintains all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
Engage in collateral duties as directed by program management as needed.