Housing Equity & Inclusion Case Manager I

Company: Volunteers of America Mid-States
Location: Owensboro
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) is a non-profit organization spanning four states that creates positive change in the lives of individuals and communities through a ministry of service. We provide housing for families, veterans, and low-income seniors. - We provide care and support for individuals with developmental disabilities, healing accountability that brings people together with restorative justice, and free HIV testing and education. - When Volunteers of America was founded in 1896, "volunteer" referred to anyone who served others as a vocation through a commitment to a mission. Today, we are still staffed by paid, mission-driven professionals working to create positive change and build thriving communities. - Flexibility, teamwork, and fun are some of the reasons our employees are proud to work at VOA! - We offer a comprehensive benefits package to employees who meet eligibility requirements.









POSITION TITLE: Housing- Equity & Inclusion Case Manager I

PROGRAM: Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
DEPARTMENT: VOA Honor
REPORTS TO: Program Manager
STATUS: FT- Exempt

LOCATION: Owensboro, KY







OVERVIEW:

The SSVF program assists Veterans who are homeless or at-risk of
homelessness end their housing crisis. The goal of the SSVF Housing- Equity
and Inclusion Case Manager is to assist veterans in ending their housing crisis,
enhance their independent living skills by providing supportive services and
education, connect them with community resources, and empower them to
maintain long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency. The position is
responsible for navigating the multiple vulnerabilities of Veterans experiencing
homelessness, in the pursuit of housing stability by building relationships with
landlords, communicating to and advocating for participants, and assisting
participants in obtaining legal aid to remove barriers to gaining and sustaining
housing. The position requires active promotion of housing justice, creating
housing security through action and advocacy, and providing culturally inclusive,
trauma-informed services to all participants.






REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in
social work or related field and less than five (5) years of experience in
the field; at least five (5) years of experience in the field and no degree;
or a Veteran with three (3) years of related work experience.
--- Skills: Requires a demonstrated ability to provide a reasonable
combination of the following knowledge, abilities, and skills: family
needs assessment, knowledge, and ability to access local resources,
advocacy, counseling, and working cooperatively with local service
providers. Must have a commitment to the principles of the project.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, high degree of
organization, and creative problem-solving skills.







OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must have personal automobile, valid driver's
license, liability insurance, and be willing and able to travel between the
counties we serve up to 70% of the time.
Must complete required case management and (Critical Time
Intervention) CTI training within 90 days of hire.







RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Build partnerships with community partners, service providers, and
government agencies to acknowledge that institutional and structural
racism restricts housing opportunities for people of color experiencing
homelessness.
2. Demonstrate ability to work with Veteran families, experiencing
homelessness, of diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds with sensitivity to
their individual housing needs.
3. Actively work to remove barriers experienced by Veterans experiencing
homelessness and especially people of color-economic mobility,
availability of affordable housing, criminal justice, behavioral health, and
family stabilization-in order to provide equitable, secure housing.
4. Responsible for explaining, interpreting, and applying for HUD-VASH
and Section 8 programs.
5. Advocate for Veteran and act as liaison while working with landlords,
rental agencies, community organizations, and other service agencies.
6. Read, interpret, and explain rental contracts between Veteran and
landlord, ensuring the contract is fair and capable.
7. Provides case management duties including:
a. Perform assessment and develop/monitor case plans and
conduct necessary follow-up activities.
b. Establish linkages with appropriate agencies and service
providers in the area/community.
c. Provide referrals and coordinate with VAMCs and other
providers.
d. Assess Veteran needs and budget and develop individualized
housing search plan with each participant.
e. Create individualized housing plans and set goals with
participants.
f. Decide how resources are allocated to participants based on
need.
g. Educate participants on supportive services availability and
participant rights
h. Provide referrals for supportive services to participants,
including financial planning services, transportation services,
income support services, fiduciary and representative payee
services, legal services, childcare, and housing counseling.
i. Complete required documentation (including progress notes)
within 48 hours of contact and enter data into the Homeless
Management Information System (HMIS).
j. Demonstrate good clinical judgment in decision making
regarding participants.
k. Demonstrate ability to relate to Veterans and their family in a
culturally appropriate manner.
8. Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) duties as assigned by
supervision and PQI committee.
9. Work in partnership with other SSVF Case Managers, Intake
Coordinators, and Outreach Workers; and participate in regular case
consultation.
10. Develop cooperative arrangements with government agencies and
community partners in providing housing for homeless families.
11. Accompany Veterans to look for housing, assist them in communicating
with landlords/property management, and advocate for Veteran.
12. Conduct all housing inspections on eligible units.
13. Conducts legal assessment for all participants and connects all Veteran
households with legal services to remove criminal justice barriers from
housing.
14. Serve as a resource for housing education and support tailored to the
needs and desires of the Veteran.
15. Collaborate with other providers in the ongoing reassessment of the
Veteran household's housing needs.
16. Advocate for the Veteran, integrating cultural values into their case plan.
17. Provide housing education services, materials, and referrals to Veteran
and their family, based on individual needs. In addition, conduct
informational meetings and trainings with community partners, property
management companies, and landlords on SSVF program and housing
needs, as well as fair housing guidelines.
18. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provides feedback to case
consultation team.
19. Mediate disputes between Veteran and landlord/property management.
20. Investigate cases involving program and lease violation.
21. Understand HUD, HUD-VASH, Section 8, and other housing
guidelines, rules, and regulations.
22. Maintain active landlord and housing provider list and actively establish
new housing providers/partners.
23. Identifies systemic barriers and communicates with organizational
leadership about these barriers to work collaboratively to find viable
solutions.
24. Support Volunteers of America's anti-racism leadership and growth by
being an active member of the Diversity or Justice committee.
25. Develop relationships with VA staff, Housing Authority, community
partners, employers, and other referral networks.
26. Serve as a liaison between local HUD-VASH teams, attending all case
conferencing with both HUD-VASH and SSVF teams and locally
coordinating and planning to be responsive to the needs of unhoused
Veterans in the service area.
27. Understand the barriers that clients in both urban and rural areas face
and how to best serve clients in both of these areas.
28. Negotiate rental rates, review leases, and provide feedback to case
consultation team.
29. Advocate with local public housing authorities and develop cooperative
arrangements with government agencies and community partners in
providing housing for unhoused families.
30. Conduct outreach to identify housing resources.
31. Comply with all policies and procedures of the program and the Council
on Accreditation.
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BENEFITS:
--- Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package
--- Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
--- Life Insurance
--- Long-Term Disability
--- Short Term Disability
--- Flexible Spending Accounts
--- Health Savings Accounts
--- Critical Illness
--- 403B Retirement Savings Plan
--- Employee Assistance Program
--- Paid Vacation Time (based on eligibility)
--- Paid Sick Time (based on eligibility)
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We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Keywords: Volunteers of America Mid-States, Owensboro , Housing Equity & Inclusion Case Manager I, Executive , Owensboro, Kentucky