Prevention & Diversion Specialist

Description

The Prevention & Diversion Specialist provides rapid, mobile response to families at imminent risk of homelessness, providing creative, safe and effective short-term solutions. The Prevention & Diversion Specialist connects families in crisis to appropriate resources, programs and services in the community to facilitate long-term solutions to homelessness. Where applicable, the Prevention & Diversion Specialist facilitates financial assistance as per appropriate grant guidelines. The Prevention & Diversion Specialist works a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends as necessary.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Prevention & Diversion:

• Connect with, and assess the needs of households identified by the Housing Crisis Hotline as at imminent risk of homelessness and meeting any additional eligibility criteria for the program(s).
• Assess the needs of households in crisis, focusing on those that require immediate attention to alleviate the risk of immediate homelessness and to divert the household from having to access the emergency shelter system.
• Use diversion strategies to identify potential informal supports and resources to alleviate the crisis and maintain housing for at least 60 days.
• Once diversion opportunities have been exhausted, use financial assistance funds as needed to facilitate immediate housing stability.
• Establish a long-term plan for housing stability for the affected household.
• Connect households in crisis with appropriate community services and programs for long-term solutions to housing instability.
• Complete home/field visits and provide transportation as necessary to assist with housing stabilization.
• Complete all necessary documentation for HMIS, Collaborate and monthly/quarterly reporting.
• Attend staff meetings and in-service training as needed or necessary.
• Establish a good working relationship with other public and private agencies/services, and interact collaboratively.
• Participate in outreach and community resource events as directed and in cooperation with the Housing Crisis Hotline

Housing:

• Develop and cultivate relationships with local property management agencies to seek housing for clients and to encourage property managers to modify tenant selection criteria to accommodate clients facing homelessness.
• Assist clients in becoming familiar and identifying financial concerns that could cause possible housing placement barriers.
• Assist clients in developing realistic housing expectations, ensuring that the cost of identified housing is within client’s means to maintain after graduating from the program and that it is reasonable and within local fair market rent.
• Encourage and assist clients through training and coaching activities in housing/tenant relations and other relevant topics.
• Coordinate transportation services and/or transport families to meet housing stability goals.
• Complete Housing Habitability Inspections and Lead-Based Paint inspections to ensure identified housing is safe and adequate. Engage in direct communication with clients regarding housing inspections and safe housing standards.

• Other duties as assigned.

Customer Service:

• Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.

Financial Management:

• Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently.
• Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.

Grants Data Management:

• Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines.
• Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.

Community Engagement:

• Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).
• Regularly engage, support and collaborate with volunteers to provide meaningful experience.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social work, human services, or associated field is required. Must have a minimum of one year of crisis counseling and/or homeless shelter or other relevant work experience.

Essential Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of social, economic and health problems as they relate to homeless households.

• Ability to be objective and calm in a stressful environment.
• Knowledge of community and social agencies and resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability to make sound judgments within the framework of existing policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the use of personal computers and standard office software.
• Ability to accurately track and report data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, co-workers and with representatives of other agencies and programs.
• Ability to work regular evening hours as scheduled.
• Ability to plan daily activities to achieve identified goals.
• Valid driver’s license with no more than two at-fault accidents, three minor moving violations or four nonmoving violations in the past three years and no major moving violations in the past four years.
• Ability to drive personal vehicle for agency-related business as needed.

Salary : $20 - $24