What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shelter Diversion Specialist position at NEMCSA?
*This position is grant funded and its longevity is subject to continued funding.
Summary of Duties:
Use conflict resolution strategies to divert clients seeking shelter and empower them to chart their own path back to housing. The Diversion Specialist will help those newly experiencing homelessness identify and implement strategies that will prevent them from entering shelter and/or securing housing through rapid exit from shelter.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.
- Complete all applicable housing crisis, entry and access assessments on persons presenting as homeless or seeking shelter, entering them into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for housing services/resources and providing Diversion services.
- During the initial engagement, inquire about the caller's situation, and help them explore safe alternatives outside of the homeless response system.
- Meet with clients at office and/or homeless shelters to offer resources to divert clients from shelter.
- Engage the household in a discussion to brainstorm potential housing solutions. Work together to explore each option and come up with an individualized service plan.
- Provide referrals and guidance to assist households in preventing homelessness or diverting them from entering the shelter system.
- Track outcomes related to diversion activities.
- Practice Rapid Resolution practices away from homeless services as appropriate.
- Understand all processes and procedures of the homeless response system, including Coordinated Entry, Homeless Prevention, Prioritization, Chronic Homelessness, Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project Based Vouchers (PBV), Domestic Violence, Veteran’s Services, Youth Services, etc.
- Assist client in short term housing search, based upon a “Housing First” philosophy.
- Determine need for flexible financial assistance to support youth with transportation, food, education, employment, childcare, and contribution to shared housing bills (i.e. utilities), housing application fees, security deposits, and short-term rental assistance, among others.
