Family Support Specialist

Summary

This position works with families to improve the quality of individual lives, strengthen family functioning, and achieve independence through stable housing. This position is part of the family housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goals of the program are to partner with families to move into and retain stable housing, increase economic resources, and simultaneously address the needs of parents and children to improve outcomes for the whole family.

Simpson staff are expected to actively work toward an anti-racist culture at Simpson Housing Services and within the broader community.

Hours for this position are generally Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm, with some flexibility based on participant needs.

Responsibilities

Provide effective case management to participants families:

• Complete intakes and assist with housing placement of new participants.
• Orient participants to Simpson policies/procedures.
• Meet weekly for 60 minutes or more with families at their place of residence
• Partner with participants to develop self-defined goals focused on improving stability and achieving greater independence.
• Provide transportation assistance and accompany to appointments related to their goals.
• Support and explore community resources when participants are struggling with mental health concerns and healthy family functioning.
• Support skill development to achieve a greater level of autonomy.
• Simultaneously working with parents and children to improve health and educational outcomes and strengthen community connections.

Partner with participants for housing stability:

• Partner with participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID for self or children, evictions and/or criminal record expungement, etc.
• Build relationships with property managers and facilitate communication with families regarding finding and securing housing, ongoing tenancy concerns, and property issues.
• Partner with families to complete tenancy education to understand their lease and know their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
• Partner with participants to obtain furniture and other necessary household items.
• Partner with families to address housekeeping needs.
• Partner with participants to prepare for independent housing without services.

Partner with program participants to increase financial stability:

• Partner with participants to access and maintain government benefits
• Partner with participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
• Explore banking, savings programs, debt management, credit counseling, and budgeting tools to achieve a sustainable financial life.

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:

• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team setting, with an emphasis on leadership,
  self-initiative, patience, creativity, maturity and tact.
• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings, other required meetings.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood and Children and Youth Specialists
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping in a timely manner:

• Maintain individual electronic ClientTrack files, including timely detailed case notes of each interaction.
• Maintain accurate records including time sheets, credit card statements, client expenses and mileage reimbursement.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to take initiative, work well independently, and manage time
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model
• Ability to communicate respectfully, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with participants, volunteers, staff and public

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Scope of Position

This position offers weekly in-home support to 15-20 participant families residing in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding areas. This position works with families who are referred through Hennepin and Ramsey Coordinated Entry. Participant populations may include those experiencing mental or chemical health issues, criminal histories, and domestic violence.

Employee may provide back up for other Support Specialists during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Driver’s License and access to a safe, reliable and insured vehicle
• Possess strong computer skills, with experience in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate ability to learn and use computer database for client records.

Desired:

• Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services.

• Experience with low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, diverse populations, and those who have mental health, chemical use, and trauma histories.

Essential Mental and Physical Functions

The employee must draw on the ability to empathize, problem solve, and the ability to accept people unconditionally with an openness to new ideas. Home visitation requires the employee to be aware of personal safety. Employees must be able to hear and speak to communicate with staff and participants in person, on the telephone and in writing. Employees must be able to move about the community and public places (such as apartment buildings). Employees must be able to lift 25 pounds on an occasional basis.