Veterans Outreach Case Manager and Benefits Specialist
About The Position
The Veterans Benefits Specialist works to secure mainstream benefits and veterans’ benefits for veterans experiencing homelessness in the city of Boston. All veterans will be triaged, assessed, diverted when possible, housing pathway developed and engaged in asset development relating to benefits. The Veterans Benefits Specialist will work collaboratively with the Veterans Outreach team, the Behavioral Health Outreach Team, and the OVAN to track and engage homeless veterans from the streets in accessing benefits, housing, treatment, and other services. The incumbent will maintain client records in HMIS and will meet or exceed program outcomes related housing and case management. The Veterans Benefits Specialist will meet homeless veterans in office settings, shelters, the streets, treatment programs, and medical respite programs. The incumbent will develop and maintain a solid knowledge base of veterans benefits and eligibility requirements and develop relationships with veteran's services partners throughout the city and state. The Veterans Benefits Specialist will work from the following principles: Shelter is a temporary safety net, not a home. All individuals experiencing homelessness, regardless of their housing history and duration of homelessness, can achieve housing stability in permanent housing. We do not “warehouse” or institutionalize individuals in our shelters. Sobriety, compliance in treatment, or an absence of criminal history is not necessary to succeed in housing. Clients are our partners in this work and possess strengths, connections, skills, and other assets which should be utilized in our work Recognize the impact of violence and victimization on development and coping strategies Employ an empowerment model. Maximize choices and control over recovery based in a relational collaboration. Create an atmosphere that is respectful of the individual’s need for safety, respect and acceptance. Consider the lens of highlighting adaptations over symptoms and resilience over pathology. Minimize the possibilities of re-traumatization. Strive to be culturally competent and to understand each person in the context of their life experiences and cultural background.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Computer literacy in Microsoft Office products
- Valid Massachusetts driver’s license in good standing
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in human services
- Minimum of two (2) years substance abuse or mental health counseling experience
- Experience in the utilization of Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care and Stages of Change
- Knowledge and experience providing case management services to a complex and vulnerable population
- Ability to effectively work with area crisis programs and homeless persons struggling with the challenges of trauma and a psychiatric crisis
- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Knowledge, sensitivity and cultural competency around issues related to homelessness, trauma, mental illness, addiction, and diverse vulnerable populations
Nice To Haves
- Veteran/Military experience
- Knowledge and understanding of veterans, veterans systems, and veterans benefits
- Familiarity with Clarity or HMIS systems
- LADC
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Responsibilities
- Secure mainstream benefits and veterans’ benefits for veterans experiencing homelessness.
- Triage, assess, divert when possible, develop housing pathways, and engage in asset development relating to benefits for veterans.
- Collaborate with the Veterans Outreach team, the Behavioral Health Outreach Team, and the OVAN to track and engage homeless veterans in accessing benefits, housing, treatment, and other services.
- Maintain client records in HMIS and meet or exceed program outcomes related to housing and case management.
- Meet homeless veterans in various settings including office settings, shelters, streets, treatment programs, and medical respite programs.
- Develop and maintain a solid knowledge base of veterans benefits and eligibility requirements.
- Develop relationships with veteran's services partners throughout the city and state.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
