H2H Service Specialist

Description

Full-Time, Non-Union, Non-Exempt Position

$20.00 per hour, 40 hours per week

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Basic Function Of H2h Service Specialist

H2H Service Specialist will work as part of the larger MMW CAN (Middlesex, Meriden, Wallingford Coordinated Access Network) outreach team. H2H Service Specialist will engage consumers while canvassing. H2H service specialist will discuss income potential during engagement (SSA, work history/skills) and connect to a SOAR or employment specialist, if applicable. Continue to work with the consumer and the SOAR or employment specialist. H2H Service specialist will discuss diversion resources/options during engagement and link to the CAN by completing the CAN enrollment. H2H service specialist will work with local CAN to locate a shelter bed if the consumer wants to go to shelter. H2H service specialist will work with the shelter staff to continue to provide case management services to the consumer in shelter. Services include providing linkages to medical care, behavioral healthcare, support in gathering essential documents for housing, employment, and benefits, and linking to additional supports (insurance, SNAP, childcare, education).

Responsibilities Of H2h Service Specialist

• Perform CAN assessments.
• H2H Service Specialist will enroll the consumer in the H2H program in HMIS and ensure they are on the By Name List.
• Develop Housing Services and Sustainability Plan.
• Build homelessness timeline and obtain third party verification as needed for previous episodes that are not in HMIS.
• Work with clinician as needed for to complete disabling condition verification form.
• Determine if consumer is likely Chronically Homeless or Dedicated Plus eligible and communicate this to the CAN.
• If there is income – explore housing find or rapid rehousing for the consumer.
• Explore shared housing as an option to make housing affordable for the consumer – roommates, living with friends or relatives.
• If there is a diversion option – explore that option and update diversion in HMIS.
• Explore affordable housing waitlists (Cthcvp.org) and assist client in applying when lists open for long term housing opportunities.
• H2H service specialist work with consumer to locate housing and mediate with landlord on lease negotiation and inspection
• Once housed, the H2H service specialist will complete the Acuity and Assessment Index and update Housing Services and Sustainability Plans.
• H2H service specialists conduct home visits with consumer to ensure they maintain stable housing. Mediate with landlord as needed. Once consumer no longer wants services or they are ready to transition to existing housing case management they can be discharged from H2H in ddap and HMIS.
• Warm handoff to housing services once the consumer is ready – work with the housing case manager and consumer to transition.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Flexibility in schedule to meet needs of outreach and targeted outreach.
  
  

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS OF H2H SERVICE SPECIALIST:

Education

• B.A. Degree, plus one year experience administering case management services, or an A.S. Degree in Human Services, plus three years' experience in community based case management services.
• Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) a plus.
  
  

Experience

• Familiarity of the CT Homelessness Management Information System (CT HMIS)
• Previous experience working families and individuals experiencing homeless
• Knowledge of the various CT housing programs (i.e. Rapid Rehousing, Shelter Plus Care, Permanent Supportive Housing, Rental Assistance Program)
• Familiarity of CT benefit assistance programs
  
  

Job Skills

• Effective interpersonal skills with all groups
• Good writing skills
• Word-processing skills
• Record keeping ability
• Ability to deal with difficult or resistant clients
• Positive attitude
• Sensitivity to culture and diverse background
• Motivational Interviewing Skills
• Excellent communication skills needed
• Microsoft Office Products
  
  

Licenses /Certifications

Valid CT Driver’s License

EOE AA/M/F/Vets/Disability

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay
  
  

New Opportunities' mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 27 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance and Weatherization
• AIDS / HIV Prevention
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Employment Education and Training
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services