Transition & Housing Specialist (Remote NC)

Vaya Health•Yanceyville, NC

13h•Remote

About The Position

The Transition & Housing Specialist is responsible for the completion of administrative work directly related to the management of identified housing programs and initiatives aimed at supporting individuals who experience Mental Health, Substance Use, and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The employee performs a variety of functions related to housing including the identification of social and economic opportunities that are likely to enhance health outcomes for individuals served. The employee focuses on connecting individuals to needed services, supportive housing opportunities and other social determinants of health resources. This is accomplished by developing the means to address housing deficits and maximizing opportunities for members served through housing navigation, housing development, service development, landlord engagement, community outreach activities, and increase collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. The employee will provide expertise, guidance, and training for internal and external stakeholders as it relates to accessing appropriate housing resources and supports for those served. The employee ensures that engagement with identified contracted providers is consistent and in line with contract obligations. The employee, in collaboration with assigned Supervisor, ensures that all housing supports activities are delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DMH/DD/SAS Contract, and guidelines/manuals/protocols/procedures established by the Department of Health and Human Services, federal rules and regulations, best practices, standards, and internal Vaya policies/procedures/manuals/guidelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree Is required.
Five years of service experience
Highly motivated, team player, self-starter and able to work independently with little or no direction
Ability to problem solve and provide practical, thorough and creative solutions to work tasks
Strong knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and program practices/requirements applicable to Vaya Health’s operation in North Carolina
Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality requirements
Experience in leading a performance relationship with external stakeholders
Proficiency in analyzing, understanding and communicating network needs
Strong customer service skills paired with a positive demeanor – a “can do” attitude
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information from others, including but not limited to reimbursement policy standards
Exceptional business acumen
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
High level of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and adept at learning software applications – expert level preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of the assessment and treatment of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder, sometimes co-occurring, is helpful
Close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparation and analysis of documents; viewing a computer terminal; and extensive reading.
Physical activity in this position includes crouching, reaching, walking, talking, hearing and repetitive motion of hands, wrists and fingers.
Sedentary work with lifting requirements up to 10 pounds, sitting for extended periods of time.
Mental concentration is required in all aspects of work.
The person in this position is required to reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the North Carolina border.

Responsibilities

Administer state and federally funded housing programs and services
Manage housing initiatives, activities, programs, and funding as assigned by Supervisor
Support the Housing Team in the completion of assigned duties and in meeting LME/MCO, state, and federal reporting requirements
Maintain wait list for identified housing and residential programs
Determine member eligibility based on housing program criteria, requirements, regulations, and rules
Offer and/or partner with local housing agencies to provide housing rental assistance and supportive services for individuals and recipients experiencing homelessness
Receive and process housing assistance requests
Complete annual project grant applications within state and federal databases in accordance with program requirements
Ensure integrity and compliance for identified housing programs
Maintain complete and accurate records for identified housing budgets
Adhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state performance outcomes and expectations
Support sudden facility closure and discharge process with internal departments and local Department of Social Services
Function as the single point-of-contact for identified on-going contractual and service issues as assigned
Administer Vaya’s Transitions to Community Living Voucher Program
Maintain a business process with the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) unit, management, housing quality standards inspector, and finance support staff to fulfill subsidy administration contract requirements between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA), and Vaya Health
Remain familiar and current with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development federal regulations and state and local building codes and ordinances as they relate to Vaya’s subsidy administration for Transitions Community Living Voucher (TCLV) Program
Coordinate with other Vaya Departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agency
Adhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state milestone requirements and expectations
Implement the following housing administration themes: leasing; ongoing tenancy; annual activities; and tenancy termination, but are not limited to the following: calculating subsidy/payment; negotiating Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) agreement; completing biennial income re-certifications, conducting annual or initial inspections as needed; executing HAP renewals; conducting move out or termination inspections; and assisting with special claims/risk mitigation resources
Collect data and enter information electronically into NCHFA’s Community Living Integration and Verification system (CLIVe) and Vaya's medical record system
Provide CLIVe expertise to Population Health units
Act as Socialserve and NCHFA liaison
Effectively market Vaya's subsidy programs to new and existing landlords and property management agencies
Further advance landlord and residential provider engagement strategies
Track private market and residential housing stock - characteristics of occupied and unoccupied units
Submit housing referrals and applications on behalf of TCL members - Targeting Program referrals and Housing Authority pre-applications/applications
Maintain required reports and statistics on a monthly and annual basis as required
Provide excellent customer service to program participants and landlords by explaining and consistently enforcing program guidelines and regulations
Treat all members, stakeholders, and landlords in a respectful, non-judgmental manner
Mediate and negotiate communication with members, treatment team members and landlords as needed concerning tenancy matters
Work with members whose housing challenges present legal issues and refer member/team and connect members to the services of a licensed attorney, non-profit legal aid, or a pro bono legal agency when necessary
Maintain housing and residential resources for specialty populations including vacancy reports, housing flows, housing navigation tools and resource guides
Develop and identify strategies to address housing deficits across disability populations
Attend monthly community housing/residential meetings and disperse pertinent resources to internal and external stakeholders
Contribute to Vaya's social determinants of health initiatives
Support landlord recruitment and outreach efforts
Enhance Vaya’s county-by-county assessment of funding sources, barriers, and resources for supported housing in Vaya’s catchment
Identify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources to support housing activities
Orchestrate cooperation aimed at gaining access to funding opportunities from private, city/county, state, and federal sources
Support local community initiatives and programs as approved by executive leadership team
Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Landlord and Tenant Rights
Support development and housing training initiatives
Provide support to stakeholder groups as requested
Provide support and consultation to internal departments as it relates to education meeting the needs of individuals with the highest acuity
Work collaboratively with other Vaya departments/teams to trouble shoot, develop, and streamline the management of Emergency Need IDD Respite Resources
Work collaboratively to support member discharge planning from State and local hospitals, recovery facilities, and the correctional system
Participate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus upon housing development
Maintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populations
Coordinate with other Vaya departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agency
Attend internal critical case staffing conference calls as requested or directed to provide education regarding service resources in the network
Provide education to member and team members (including family) on options and community resources that can assist members with making informed and timely decisions as it relates to housing stability, including accessing NC360 system to support efforts
Actively participate in required housing and TCL staff meetings and trainings, as well as providing training to service providers as it relates specifically to all tenancy events and transition activities
Participate in Vaya activities and committees at the request of Vaya’s Housing Supervisor and Manager
Identify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources
Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Landlord and Tenant Rights, and barriers associated with Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY)
Coordinate landlord recruitment and outreach efforts which includes planning Vaya’s Landlord Lunch and Learn events
Support development and housing training initiatives
Participate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus on housing recruitment and development
Support regional housing plan efforts by leading local Transition & Housing Specialists collaboratives and conducting disability and/or service specific focus groups and engage stakeholders to obtain feedback on housing and service needs
Maintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populations
Assist in Housing Team coverage, as identified by your Supervisor
Crosstrain in other Housing Team skills (such as inspection, PSH, etc.), as identified by your Supervisor