Summary: This position sits within the Office of Community Services and the goal of the Homeless Services and Supports Coordinator (HSSC) is to engage families who enter family homeless shelters early in their shelter experience to provide comprehensive service coordination as they stabilize in shelter ensuring that that families have opportunities to build upon their strengths and address their needs to move into stable permanent housing. Core responsibilities will include relationship building, working directly with the family to set goals and engage in problem-solving activities, facilitating collaboration and support with community resources and natural support to help achieve the family’s identified goals. HSSC service coordinators will also serve as a liaison between families experiencing homelessness and the County’s Coordinated Entry system.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Engagement, Assessment and Planning:
Engages the family in a way in which they are comfortable.
Ask the family what immediate needs they have (in addition to housing needs) and assist the family with addressing those needs.
If applicable, helps the family maintain connections to services, support and/or systems in which they were participating prior to entering shelter.
Uses discussion with the family, as well as DHS tools (i.e., ClientView) to review the family’s history with DHS services and supports to inform a conversation with the family about what worked and did not work in the past, and what they think might work in the future.
Uses the FAST assessment tool (as well as the CANS and ANSA tools when appropriate based upon family composition and need) to engage the family in a conversation that will identify their strengths and needs.
When there is a child between birth and five years of age, works with the family to administer the Ages and Stages screening to ensure child school readiness and follow-up as appropriate.
Ask the family what outcomes they would like to see for themselves as they move toward permanent housing.
When needed, advocates on the family’s behalf and when appropriate assists the family to empower itself to advocate on its own behalf.
Advocates on a system level to ensure timely access to services and support for families.
With family consent, assists the family with finding natural support/family members and with making connections/re-connections to those they find.
As approved by the family, checks in with them about their progress and satisfaction and schedules additional meetings and revise their family plan as needed.
At a timeframe approved by the family, checks in with them about their strengths and needs, the effectiveness of services and support they are using and their attainment of outcomes with revision of the family plan as needed.
Continue to work with the family until the family and their team agrees that outcomes are met or until the family no longer wants service and supports coordination.
Consults with DAL, DHS staff and provider agency staff to resolve inquiries or concerns.
Enter data into a service and supports coordination information tracking system in a timely manner.
Prepare correspondence, reports and other materials as necessary. Maintain records, files and other documentation as appropriate.
Completes FAST/CANS/ANSA and Ages and Stages assessment certification training and maintains annual re-certification requirements.
Participates in other trainings as required.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
Additional Responsibilities: From time to time the employee will be required to perform additional tasks and duties as required by the employer.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Embracing a “whatever it takes” attitude to meeting the needs of the families served.
Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of all local, state, and federal health and human services programs with an emphasis on resources often used by families overcoming housing crises. Strong knowledge needed on housing, education, and employment pathways.
Quickly establishes rapport and trust with individuals served coming from incredibly diverse life experiences.
Ability to build positive relationships with a wide range of individuals and organizations in the community.
Ability to learn and utilize web-based and PC software and email to develop reports and document services provided.
Manage time and work well under pressure, while maintaining confidentiality and professional conduct.
Understanding and/or willingness to learn the principles of Harm Reduction, Trauma-Informed Care, and Housing First, as well as experiencing implementing services guided by these principles.
Ability to communication effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to work with providers to encourage family-focused, strengths-based practice.
Willingness to adjust work schedule to accommodate the schedules of the families (may include some evenings and weekend hours).
Ability to work in a changing environment that may include some ambiguity.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, consistent with applicable law.
Education/Experience Requirements: Master’s degree in a human services field, plus three years of experience working in the human services field performing direct practice. -OR- Bachelor’s degree in the field of human services, plus five years of experience working in the human services field performing direct practice. -OR- Any equivalent combination of education and experience which meets the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Act 33, 34 and FBI clearances. -AND- Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle, or other reliable form of transportation to locations around the county are required.
This position will be formally employed by Community Family Advocates. In this capacity, the individual will report directly to Allegheny County Department of Human Services and will carry out day-to-day responsibilities under the direction, supervision, and operational guidelines of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. While Community Family Advocates will serve as the official employer for administrative and human resources purposes, the role will function as an integrated part of Allegheny County’s team..