MiCAFE Screening Integration Coordinator

Position Identifier:

Position Title: MiCAFE Network SNAP Screening
Integration Coordinator

Position Code: not assigned yet

Service Group: Economic Security

Reports To: Director of Economic Services

Updated: 2024

Position Purpose:

According to the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement, nearly 5 million adults in America aged 60 are considered food insecure or very food insecure, and this number is on the rise. By 2025, the number of seniors facing hunger is projected to increase by 50%. Food insecurity among older adults in Michigan in 2018 was 13.3%, and it is up 0.3 percent in 2019. In Michigan seniors that are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are not accessing this benefit that will help them buy more nutritious food. Michigan’s Coordinated Access to Food for the Elderly (MiCAFE) partners with the Michigan Department of Human Services and community-based organizations to conduct outreach and application assistance for the State of Michigan
Food Assistance Program and other benefits.

Elder Law of Michigan’s MiCAFE project’s goal is to increase access to benefits, focusing primarily on SNAP, to seniors throughout
Michigan. Our approach is to work with a network of community partners, like seniors centers, housing complexes, and churches, to educate seniors about the benefits, to screen the seniors for likely eligibility for benefits, to assist the seniors in completing the required applications and in providing the needed documentation, and to resolve issues with receiving the benefits and using them correctly. The MiCAFE program also provides this assistance directly to seniors in areas where no community partner is currently available to work directly with the client. MiCAFE also runs a toll-free SNAP hotline for persons seeking information about the SNAP benefit for seniors. The SNAP hotline also provides ongoing support to MiCAFE clients after they apply for the benefit, during recertification, and in understanding correspondence about the benefit.

The purpose of this position includes but is not limited to: a) Provides support and customer service to Network Partners and clients served in the assigned region; b) Providing technical support related to use of the online Support Portal (Mi-SOAP); c) Answering calls from partners in the region, participating in outreach events and activities; d) Helping community partners resolve client issues with local MDHHS offices and acting as a key liaison between Network

Partners and local MDHHS offices; e) Providing support to MiCAFE community partners so that they can ultimately increase access to the Food Assistance

Program, other key benefits, and meet multiple needs of clients; f) Responsible for covering the MiCAFE Call Center; g) Assist clients in identifying and applying for needed benefits; h) Work successfully with internal and external partners in accomplishing MiCAFE’s goals; i) Build and maintain a favorable awareness of Elder Law of Michigan and MiCAFE in the community; j) Refer MiCAFE clients and Network Partners to appropriate, local, community resources; ) Position requires some travel.

Key Responsibilities, Actions, and Results:

60% Customer Service and Support to MiCAFE Community Partners

• Answer incoming MiCAFE calls from potential clients, current/past clients, and Application Assistants;
• Provide information to callers about MiCAFE and other Elder Law of Michigan programs;
• Answer questions about MiCAFE, Elder Law of Michigan, DHHS, and other assistance programs;
• Provide support for MiCAFE Application Assistants using Mi-SOAP;

It is the policy of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. to provide equal membership, employment, and service opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sexual identity or orientation, marital status, parental status, handicap, membership in any labor organization, political affiliation, people with disabilities, and, for employment only, height, weight, and record of arrest without conviction.

• Provide referrals to clients looking for assistance that Elder Law of Michigan does not provide, including, but not limited to, utility assistance, rental assistance, home help, and chore services;

• Work with community partners to set up benefit enrollment events;
• Provide guidance on eligibility and application requirements for State of Michigan public assistance programs to partners and clients;
• Work with the Director of Community Services and the regional Community Liaison Staff to maintain current contact information in Salesforce for all community partners and application assistants in region;
• Conduct Key Benefit Screenings at open enrollment events;
• Follow up with new, regional application assistants to offer support and encouragement;
• Work in conjunction with Community Liaison Staff to provide support to their activities including, but not limited to, acting as intermediary between partners and staff, providing assistance at events, and scheduling appointments.

25% Regional Outreach and Communications

• Work with the Director of Community Services to identify and attend senior events in region on behalf of

Elder Law of Michigan and/or make Elder Law of Michigan outreach materials available to local partners for events;

• Research and identify prospective new partners in region;
• Recruit identified partners under the supervision of the Director of Community Services and provide any assigned supportive assistance as directed;
• Identify workgroups/coalitions, etc., in which Elder Law of Michigan should participate on behalf of

MiCAFE and Elder Law of Michigan;

• Give presentations to potential community partners and/or seniors in the assigned region as directed by the Director of Community Services;
• Strengthen Elder Law of Michigan’s relationships with area Agency on Aging, local governments, and other community partners;
• Work with the Director of Community Services to establish goals and objectives for the number of new or inactive parties identified and recruited as community partners.

10% Other Projects

• Perform other tasks or duties as assigned.

5% Enhance the organization in the community

• Identify good stories that are representative of the work that Elder Law of Michigan does and the difference that Elder Law of Michigan team members make in the lives of their clients each day;
• Write at least one blog post each quarter on a topic related to the work of Elder Law of Michigan, a current event, a personal perspective, etc.;
• Participate in fund development by promoting the organization, identifying potential donors or funding opportunities, representing Elder Law of Michigan when required, and thanking donors in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• College degree or equivalent experience in Social Services preferred;
• Knowledge of the aging services provided in Michigan;
• Proven written and communication skills;
• Active listening skills;
• Basic understanding of how adults process information (adult learning theory) and experience applying that knowledge;
• Basic understanding of Microsoft Office Suite Programs.

Personal Characteristics:

• Ability to manage time effectively, including self-imposed deadlines and prioritization;
• Ability to network with people of various backgrounds, etc.;

It is the policy of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. to provide equal membership, employment, and service opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sexual identity or orientation, marital status, parental status, handicap, membership in any labor organization, political affiliation, people with disabilities, and, for employment only, height, weight, and record of arrest without conviction.

• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to process instructions;
• Ability to ask additional questions and clarify instructions;
• Willingness to work both independently and within a team environment;
• Ability to keep others on an established timeframe, including work supervisors
• Strong attention to detail.

Working Conditions:

• Based in Lansing, MI;
• A minimum of 35 hours of work per week is required;
• Professional dress attire is expected, with business casual acceptable when not meeting with outside partners or clients;
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. required;
• Ability to stand and/or sit for more than 90 minutes at a time is often required due to training, meetings, and presentations;
• Ability to travel, as needed.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time, non-exempt, salaried position;
• Salary range is dependent on skill set and experience;
• A generous personal leave package is available, with four weeks of PTO for the first year;
• Health care coverage, funded by Elder Law of Michigan, is available;
• Travel-related reimbursement is provided by Elder Law of Michigan;
• Some flexibility in schedule is available;
• Ongoing, professional development is encouraged by Elder Law of Michigan.

It is the policy of Elder Law of Michigan, Inc. to provide equal membership, employment, and service opportunities to all eligible persons without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sexual identity or orientation, marital status, parental status, handicap, membership in any labor organization, political affiliation, people with disabilities, and, for employment only, height, weight, and record of arrest without conviction.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $36,500