Housing Specialist

 Education and Parent Support Services

LOCATION: Brooklyn/Queens/Brentwood

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Housing Specialist will work with youth as they prepare to transition to independence and to develop a specific action plan to address their individual housing needs. The Housing Specialist will engage with and build a partnership with each youth that pragmatically focuses on ensuring that they can find, secure, and maintain a stable and appropriate living situation.

REPORTS TO: Director of Education & Parent Support Services

SUPERVISES: N/A

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

As part of SCO’s Forward Journey Initiative, the Housing Specialist works with young people on a one-on-one basis to develop housing goals based on the youth’s interests and strengths. Support includes linking young people to resources and opportunities that are in line with their goals. The Housing Specialist provides ongoing social and emotional support.

Key program components include:

· Community based- Staff meet youth wherever is best for them (e.g., home, school, community, etc.)

· Systemic approach- incorporates multiple aspects of the youth’s natural ecology (community, peers, family, school, etc.)

· Comprehensive- addressing the full range of a youth’s needs and goals (academic, career, housing, relationships, etc.)

Housing Specialist duties will include, but not be limited to:

· Build relationships with youth and provide ongoing social and emotional support.

· Help youth succeed in these settings, navigate any challenges that arise, celebrate success, and plan/prepare for the next step on their journey.

· Collaborate with Case Planners, Tutors, Specialists, Foster Parents, and Parents, as needed, to help youth achieve their goals and ensure their overall well-being.

· Complete PYA Tasks including PAT Tool.

· Facilitate My Journey Groups for youth

· Facilitate PYA Monthly Workshops

· Assist youth in navigating the ACS housing packet as well as available community housing.

· Act as a resource for Case Workers and Supervisors in keeping up to date with all NYC, NYS and Federal Housing Initiatives, including NYCHA, Section 8 and NY/NY III and the ACS Housing Subsidy.

· Assist youth in navigating online housing resources.

· Develop relationships with landlords within designated communities.

· Process all Housing applications.

· Notify youth and Case Workers of upcoming housing appointments.

· Act as a liaison between ACS’s Housing Committee and SCO

· Maintain a monthly tracking spreadsheet of housing services provided and the status of housing applications.

· Adhere to appropriate communication strategies when working with youth, birth parents, foster parents and stakeholders.

· Work within the fidelity guidelines of the interventions while delivering the material in a manner that appeals to the needs of parents and youths.

· Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor.

II. QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Degree: Bachelor’s Degree; Extensive Experience working with Youth

Other skills and requirements:

· Experience in Education and Foster Care (preferred)

· Position requires travel to and from Queens, Brooklyn and Brentwood.

· Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, a strong sense of empathy towards our populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.

· Ability to respond to the unique developmental needs of children in different stages of maturation including early childhood, school age, or young adulthood.

· Ability to work with parents and children that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, different cultural backgrounds, and varying socioeconomics statuses.

· Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who may be in different stages of discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity.

· Strong time management skills, diligence, resilience, and experience working in a unit or team.

· Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Experience with CONNECTIONS preferred.

· Valid NYS Driver’s License required and/or timeframe of when one will be obtained.

· Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services.

· Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged to apply.