Lead Family Advocate - Low Acuity Families

Description

The Lead Family Advocate (LFA) works with homeless families to provide supportive and self-sufficient services such as housing location services, case management, client centered care plans and referrals to ancillary community-based resources and through assessments and comprehensive case management works with a team to start clients on a path to stability and self-sufficiency. All work is performed under the direction of a supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Work with clients to complete initial assessments to obtain information about their family situation and determine if they meet preliminary programmatic guidelines
• Complete intakes with clients to assess needs, strengths, barriers, and resources that could positively impact housing stability.
• Provide intensive, housing focused case management utilizing a client self-sufficiency matrix
• Advocate for clients with landlords, employers, creditors, community partners, etc., and teach clients to advocate for themselves
• Conduct timely follow-ups and home visits with clients as outlined in programs’ goals and objectives.
• Assist clients with developing a family action plan, to be reviewed monthly
• Manage case file quality assurance through frequent file review
• Teach problem solving and budgeting skills to clients and develop and monitor short and long-term budgeting goals
• Formulate and assist clients in implementing Family Action Plans that specify goals and actions to be taken by caseworker and client to help the family on the road to self-sufficiency
• Make appropriate referrals to other agencies to gain access to additional services clients may need
• Keep accurate, up-to-date case notes on all clients including (but not limited to): contact dates, content, follow ups, referrals, and relevant forms
• Enter all client data accurately and in a timely manner to the CMIS database
• Provide data for quarterly and bi-annual reports

Management and Supervision

• Oversee the OSCARSS process for low-acuity families in collaboration with coordinated entry
• Remain informed and knowledgeable of community resources
• Review incoming requests for financial assistance (check requests) for accuracy and compliance
• Assist program staff with client relations, ensuring guidance and support in compliance
• Ensure Director of Family Homeless Services (DFHS) is abreast of heightened matters, program and employee concerns, accomplishments, activities/events, etc.
• Document bi-weekly supervisions in HRIS system and ensure DFHS and Director of Human Resources are aware of any ongoing employee issues in a timely manner
• Supervision of direct reports including but not limited to:
• Complete annual job performance evaluations for all direct reports
• Meet with direct reports bi-weekly and provide feedback surrounding personal development, address service-related questions and issues
• Schedule trainings for direct reports and attend trainings as appropriate for program and personal development
• Discuss, review, and assess clients’ needs, liabilities, resources, and problems underlying their situations of homelessness or risk of becoming homeless during supervisions
• Review Family Action Plans and ensure Family Advocate (FA) has specified goals and actions to be taken by caseworker and client
• Ensure FA advocates on behalf of and with clients to landlords, employers, creditors, alternate agency resources, etc.
• Ensure direct report(s) has the knowledge and advocacy skills to serve our population
• Ensure direct report(s) has budgeting skills and can properly teach clients to develop and monitor short and long-range budgeting goals
• Assist direct report(s) by teaching problem-solving skills to better assist families who demonstrate the need for such services
• Ensure timely follow-up of home visits with clients as outlined in programs goals and objectives
• Ensure direct report(s) are maintaining accurate, up-to-date records for all client contacts, follow-ups, and completion relevant forms
• Ensure direct report(s) are making appropriate referrals to other agencies to gain access to additional services clients may need
• Ensure direct report(s) are knowledgeable of and refer clients who are not eligible for Lewis Center services to available community resources as needed and follow-up with those clients to ensure that they have been

Training and Development

• Participate in scheduled meetings with your supervisor to discuss client progress and quality assurance of services
• Attend all staff and team meetings
• Complete any required or requested training/seminars to further your personal development and the mission of the agency
• Perform any other task related to this role that will assist the agency in carrying out its mission.

Training and Development:

• Attend staff meetings
• Attend required programmatic trainings
• Attend any other trainings and/or seminars as requested by Supervisor
• Train staff on OSCARRS software as needed

Requirements

• Bachelors’ Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology or related field
• Three (3) years’ experience in Social Work field working with vulnerable families
• Valid FL Driver’s License and the ability to be insured
• Knowledge of Palm Beach County and resources, and willingness to work in low-income neighborhoods/areas
• Dependable transportation and the ability to travel throughout Palm Beach County
• Cultural sensitivity and awareness of issues of persons of a lower socio-economic population
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, SharePoint, and Excel) and standard office equipment
• Excellent time management, communication, and customer service skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to handle tense situations professionally and de-escalate
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries
• Ability to manage workload, changing priorities, and meet deadlines
• Ability to learn and master software programs and new technology
• Ability to adapt to and accept changes as required
• Ability to adapt and embrace to agency culture
• Exceptional organization, problem-solving, and analytical skills

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in standard office environment
• Work is performed in the field (parks, areas frequented by homeless throughout county)

Physical Requirements

• Ability to bend and lift over your head
• Ability lift a minimum of 25 pounds
• Ability to drive and/or commute between locations
• Ability to climb stairs

Direct Reports

• Family Advocate – Low Acuity Families (1)