Social Services Specialist Jobs in Connecticut

Company Overview:

New Reach is undergoing an exciting transformation in order to bring the organization to its next level of success. Working to provide shelter, housing, stabilization, and support for children, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness across CT since 1990, New Reach inspires independence for those affected by homelessness and poverty. Using the most innovative and progressive methods through a continuum of housing and support, New Reach has grown to be one of the most effective nonprofits of its kind in the United States.

Primary Purpose:

The Connecticut Rapid Re-Housing Program (CT RRP) is a statewide initiative designed to assist homeless households (youth, individuals, and families) as they quickly move out of homelessness and into permanent housing through the provision of time-limited housing supports and strategies with the ultimate goal of housing stability. The Youth Case Worker/Housing Specialist provides housing and relocation services primarily to youth, ages 18-24, exiting homelessness and provides up to 12 months of home-based case management post housing placement. This position may also serve individuals and families as needed.

Essential Functions:

• CT RRH will employ the interconnected strategies developed by the CT RRP Grant to ensure programmatic effectiveness through the following strategies:
• Coordinated intake, screening, and housing-based assessment.
• Housing search, landlord recruitment, and relocation assistance.
• Housing stabilization and sustainability supports, including linkages to community services; and financial assistance (through the Department's ESG Program Rapid Re-Housing Financial Assistance fund and the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness' (CCEH's) rapid re-housing fund).
• The Youth Case Worker will be dually trained as a Case Worker and Housing Specialist to facilitate both functions as needed.
• Carry a case load consisting primarily of youth homeless households in need of housing assistance and/or case work, within the sub-region of Greater New Haven. Families and Individuals may also be added to the case load when needed. Services will be provided to a minimum of 50 households annually.
• Acts as primary contact person/ Case Worker for between 7 and 15 youth participating in the Rapid Re-Housing Program throughout Greater New Haven.
• Act as a primary contact person/ Housing Specialist for between 7 and 15 youth referred for housing placement in the Greater New Haven area.
• Locate and help secure appropriate housing and community resources for participants.
• Provide assistance for households to increase income, accessing long-term housing subsidies, establish and/or expand family and community-based supports, and assistance in increasing access to mainstream services.
• Provide the majority of services in the client's home/shelter or a location of the client's choosing.
• Conduct outreach with shelters in sub-region to coordinate effective communication regarding referrals to RRH. Educate providers and market the program as needed.
• Educate landlords in the community about their services, dispel myths about homeless families and individuals, and provide support to the family and the landlord to promote successful tenancy, while maintaining positive communication.
• Create effective and innovative strategies to engage and maintain professional landlord relationships.
• Actively participate in the community landlord engagement teams and meetings. Assist in creating engagement events and other processes to engage and recruit new landlords.
• Provide coordination and referrals to households after they receive assistance to improve stability, well-being, and self-sufficiency.
• Assist clients in completing relevant community and agency housing applications.
• Conduct Housing Quality and lead inspections on all units prior to tenant occupancy.
• The Youth Case Worker/Housing Specialist is to have supervision with the Rapid Rehousing Program Manager-New Haven at minimum biweekly or as needed.
• The Youth Case Worker/Housing Specialist must report any major changes in client mental status, potential for DCF hotline calls, unethical behavior/situations, and/or critical incidents within 24 hours to the Program Manager.
• The Program Manager may require the Youth Case Worker/Housing Specialist to attend trainings on Evidence Based Practices necessary to the program, including a minimum introductory training in Motivational Interviewing.
• The Youth Case Worker/Housing Specialist is required to use an approved HMIS system to document all client and program data, which includes but is not limited to: Program enrollments, discharges, case notes, assessments, client demographics, action plans, collateral contacts, referrals, and services provided.
• Other duties as assigned to assure successful operations.

Qualifications

• Associates Degree required (Bachelor's preferred) and two years experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish and Bicultural preferred.
• Occasional Twenty-four-hour emergency coverage.
• Valid CT Driver's License, proof of insurance, and access to reliable transportation.
• Knowledge of leasing procedures and fair housing laws.
• Knowledge of housing quality standards and inspection methods.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point.
• High level of organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Highly motivated, creative with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability and desire to work as part of a team; identify with and support the mission of New Reach.

Expectations:

• Have a solutions-based approach to presented problems.
• Be supportive, engaging, and encouraging to peers and staff.
• Be adaptable to change and willing to take on more responsibility.
• Maintain strict confidentiality concerning any client's or employees' personal information, living information, and/or HIV status.
• Provides a commitment to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion, and Initiative.
• Adheres to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.