YSIC Homeless Prevention Case Manager (SRI) (No AD)

YMCA Of Greater Seattle•Seattle, WA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Y Social Impact Center (YSIC) is seeking a Homeless Prevention Case Manager to support youth aged 16-21 who are experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. This role will specifically focus on The Stability and Reintegration Initiative (SRI), a program designed to prevent homelessness among young people exiting detention facilities. The SRI program collaborates with the King County Juvenile Court, YMCA of Greater Seattle, and Building Changes, funded by the Washington Youth & Families Fund. The case manager will support the discharge planning and transition of transition-age youth, with a particular emphasis on BIPOC and LGBTQ2+ individuals. The goal is to identify safe housing options within 90 days of release, enhance the transition to stable housing, and provide ongoing community reintegration support. YSIC serves youth, young adults, and families across King County, Pierce County, and other Washington counties, focusing on reducing risk factors, navigating systems, establishing stability, and building competencies. The organization values lived experience in its staff.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work or related social science field or equivalent experience, Masters preferred. Other applicable education, training, and experience, which provide the knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position will be considered.
Experience working with teens or young adults in employment, foster care, group care, housing, education, juvenile justice, anti-poverty, vocational support, mental health, chemical dependency and/or homelessness fields.
Ability to teach effective independence skills for a variety of learning styles and to plan supportive activities.
Strong youth engagement and relationship-building skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Ability to transport self and client(s) in a safe and effective manner, and to meet clients at community locations; proof of adequate vehicle insurance coverage is required, or ability to travel to areas without public transportation.
Current state approved First Aid and CPR certification.
Current approved HIV blood borne pathogens training.
Prefer knowledge of and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical ability, sexual orientation, etc.). Ability to speak any language in addition to English may be helpful.
Some Case Manager positions required Bachelor's degree or higher.
Within 30 days of employment or first available training.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work, social services, or a closely related field.
Life experience with poverty, child welfare, homelessness, behavioral health, or youth violence and a desire to use that experience to improve the lives of others.
Ability to speak any language in addition to English.
Thrive on working in a collaborative environment.
Are very adaptable.
Have high ownership and strong work ethic.
Are a great problem solver who can think on your feet.
Truly enjoy being of service to people.
Like being part of a team that cares about one another as people and enjoy working together.
Want to know that the work you do contributes to building a better, stronger community for all.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with detention staff to establish a referral relationship, ensuring a multi-disciplinary approach that minimizes the duplication of services and streamlines support for young people facing imminent housing instability upon exit.
Be present at the detention center 3-5 days a week.
Apply a diversion-like, creative problem-solving approach to support young people in identifying permanent or temporary housing options within 90 days of their exit.
Create and facilitate a course that focuses on building life skills, enhancing social-emotional skills, and securing and/or maintaining housing once released.
Establish trauma-informed, person-centered relationships with young people in detention through regular check-ins.
Track and support the exit planning and discharge processes overseen by the detention facility of young people on the caseload and collaborate with individual young people to build safety and stability plans upon exit.
Develop and apply an approach toward modeling and coaching key social-emotional skills and integrate the approach into transition planning and case management.
Ensure non-disruption of academic progress of young people on the caseload through connections to local community reengagement/Open Doors schools or other post-secondary opportunities.
Acts as a systems connector to support youth in achieving their goals and reducing barriers in education, employment/career development, safe and stable housing, permanent connections to supportive adults, health and well-being, mental health support, and life skills.
Use critical thinking skills and provide solution-focused navigation for complex needs among youth in detention.
Build strong relationships with Y program participants to effectively provide quality services.
Understands contract/grant terms and conditions to ensure program outcome requirements are met and services rendered to young adults appropriately.
Understands and uses best practice philosophies in the field, including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, housing first, harm reduction, de-escalation, etc.
Maintains clear, professional, timely participant contact notes, service plans, progress updates, outcomes, and other documentation in designated databases.
Maintain strong sense of organization in fast paced work environment.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Responsible for adhering to abuse prevention policies, maintaining appropriate boundaries, completing required training, reporting suspicious or inappropriate behavior, and complying with mandated reporting requirements.
Responsible for ensuring staff are properly screened, trained, supervised and held accountable to the organization’s abuse risk management standards.