Young Adult Housing Specialist (Access Center)

Vinfen•Lawrence, MA

8d•$26,098 - $26,098

About The Position

The Access Center (AC) Housing Specialist works at the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Center provides coaching and facilitation to transitional age YYA in meeting their life goals. The Housing Specialist works with YYAs to specifically identify housing needs and preferences, help them access housing, and maintain housing successfully The AC Housing Specialist develops and maintains relationships with local property managers, landlords, housing authorities, etc. and consults with AC team members on housing related issues. The AC Housing Specialist staffs the AC and YYA activities associated with the AC as needed.

Requirements

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in educational, social service, juvenile justice, and/or mental health settings in which the person provided counseling, training, therapy, and/or guidance to YYA and their families (with a Bachelor’s degree) or a minimum of 1 year experience in the above noted areas (with a Master’s degree).
One year working in a strengths-based model serving YYA in the role of Housing Specialist. Those who have experience in working with YYA with emotional/behavioral dysregulation or psychiatric illness are encouraged to apply.
Driving is a requirement for this position using either a Vinfen van or personal vehicle.
If using a personal vehicle, you must possess and maintain adequate insurance as well as maintain a safe driving record which is subject to annual checks. A valid driver's license must be presented at the time of employment. Incumbents must be at least 21 years of age, have maintained a valid US driver's license for at least six months, and must be able to pass a driver's screening background check.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, climb as this is a very physically active position.
Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds using proper lifting techniques or the use of a two-person lift.
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment such as a calculator, copier, and printer.
Ability to sit, reach, climb stairs, and maneuver through narrow spaces or hallways.
Ability to assist clients with tasks of daily living.
Ability to speak, hear, and communicate with clients, staff, and external representatives.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
For positions in day programs or group residences, the ability to assist in routine living activities including cleaning, meal preparation, vacuuming, shoveling, and grocery shopping.
CPR within 2 weeks of hire, First Aid within 2 weeks of hire, New Employee Training (NET), TIP Model Core Competency Training within 3 months of hire.
Bachelor’s degree in social services, rehabilitation and/or education fields (e.g. special education, psychology or social work required.
Works flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Applicants who are bilingual; bicultural; Black, Indigenous, Person of Color (BIPOC); LGBTQ+; and/or who have personal lived experience of mental health and/or substance use condition are encouraged to apply.
In some instances, education may substitute for formal education.

Responsibilities

Maintains a maximum caseload of 45-50 youth and young adults.
Participates in the assessment of youth homelessness and identifies support needed.
Engages with housing court, probation officers, juvenile court judges, school staff, police, community-based family agencies, health and behavioral health facilities, after-school and out-of-school programs, neighborhood associations or locally based housing and health and human services providers.
Promotes parent involvement and other key players in planning services and supports for each YYA. Engages in family mediation and family reunification efforts; help in reuniting YYA with their parent or legal guardian if family reunification is in the YYA’s best interest.
Connects YYA to appropriate services, systems, and social supports. Such services and supports may include individual, family and group counseling; access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care; education and employment assistance; case management, advocacy and referral services; independent living skills training; and provision of basic needs.
Performs triage, assessment, and case management to evaluate service needs, implement a housing planning process, and develop a plan for housing stability along with resolving any underlying service needs.
Facilitates kinship home placements, connecting to emergency shelters/short-term housing, or assisting with transition to independent living programs.
Provides referrals to external service providers, as appropriate. Such services may include: health services, behavioral health services, substance abuse services, employment and job training, education services, parenting resources, domestic violence-related services, life skill and financial literacy resources, legal services, language-related resources, cultural and recreation activities.
Coordinates with local shelter and transitional services providers to streamline placements of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and increase service utilization.
Provides consultation and training to YYAs and staff in the area of permanent housing services, systems, and requirements.
Delivers evidence informed/based practices as supported by the AC and demonstrates competency in evidence-informed practices/techniques/modalities as required.
Staffs activities sponsored by the AC in support of the full membership of all YYA and staff as needed.
Collects and records data relevant to the progress of YYA across their goals during each of the active, maintenance, and follow-along statuses.
Charts and records all contacts and services rendered in accordance with Vinfen standards, and any applicable funding or regulatory agency standards. Maintains transition records on each YYA.
Assumes responsibility for the implementation of strategies developed to assist YYA in overcoming obstacles. Collaborates with relevant public and private agencies to achieve the implementation of agreed upon strategies.
Collaborates with other service practitioners and educators from children’s mental health, education, adult mental health, child welfare, and rehabilitation as needed to ensure appropriate services for each YYA served.
Interfaces with adult mental health case managers to ensure continuity of age-appropriate services for individuals as they approach 18 years of age and older.
Helps the YYA identify obstacles to living independently, obtaining employment, obtaining post-secondary education, and in developing supportive social and recreational activities.
Develops strategies to overcome identified barriers.
Develops interagency and community network relationships which improve access to relevant community services and benefits.
Refers YYA to appropriate clinical, medical, and behavioral specialists, as requested, in partnership with AC staff.
Provides transportation to clients, as necessary.
Performs other duties, as assigned.