The Shelter Diversion/Aftercare Specialist 1) provides intervention strategies for households who are at-risk of homelessness, as defined by HUD or other federal statutes; and 2) provides comprehensive housing retention case management, advocacy, and support to former clients of the housing programs by assisting them in maintaining stable housing and self-sufficiency to prevent housing loss.
Service Activities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Shelter Diversion Activities:
Assist clients who may have alternatives to entering the shelter system, navigate their alternatives to divert households from entering the Emergency Shelter
Inform and coordinate services with area townships, targeting schools and other potential referring agencies, households identified as high-risk of homelessness (i.e. precariously housed in two or more permanent housing situations within 60 days or less with special needs) through established linkage agreements.
Aftercare Activities:
Generate monthly reports from HMIS to identify graduates or “exited” clients receiving services 30+ days – 180 days.
Accept referrals from housing and supportive service case managers, households who have “graduated” from a Housing Forward program and entered independent housing to enroll them in voluntary services.
Provide housing retention/aftercare services, including advocacy, support and housing stabilization services for clients who have exited housing or have received homeless prevention assistance, including linkage to community based services, income supports, and housing prevention services as necessary.
Identify special needs and make appropriate referrals.
Assist clients, as needed, in developing and implementing individual goals and objectives to attain and maintain housing stability.
Document services and demographics in HMIS.
General Responsibilities:
Maintain a working knowledge of referral sources for housing, vocational and other relevant sources; sensitivity to addiction and recovery, cultural heritage, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, medical and psychiatric conditions.
Maintain positive relations with clients, volunteers, co-workers, staff from other agencies, agency funders, and the general public.
Demonstrate effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately, listening effectively and asking questions when clarification is needed.
Interact effectively with persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds, religious views, cultural backgrounds, and sexual orientations and treat each individual with respect and dignity.
Demonstrate team behavior and promote a team-oriented environment.
Participate in ongoing development and improvement of all program processes and relationships.
Meet regularly with supervisors
Community Need Addressed
Shelter Diversion services include assessment and linkage to resources as alternatives to the emergency shelter. AfterCare for Housing Forward graduates to improve housing retention and prevent their return to homelessness.
Position Outcomes
Shelter Diversion services include assessment and linkage to resources as alternatives to the emergency shelter. AfterCare for Housing Forward graduates to improve housing retention and prevent their return to homelessness.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Teamwork
Derive consensus
Decisions
Accepts responsibility
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction