Family Response Specialist

TITLE: Family Response Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: FSC Program Manager

Employment Status: Full Time

Reg. Hours Worked: 40 / Week Exempt

Benefits:

• 5 Paid Flex Days
• 13 Paid Holidays
• 12 Paid Vacation Days
• Medical Dental Vision Insurance
• 403b Account

JOB SUMMARY:

The Family Response Specialist will address the families immediate needs and work to stabilize their housing crisis by connection to crisis housing. The Family Response Specialist is the first point of contact within the Family Solutions Center and provides screening triage crisis intervention access to crisis housing and transportation services to homeless families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE but are not limited to the following:

• Accepts warm transfer calls of families prescreened by 211 LA County.

• Receives screens and triages referrals from walkins and other collaborative partners.

• Conducts standardized screening and triages families imminently atrisk and homeless.

• Works in coordination with the FSC Case Management team and crisis housing providers to ensure seamless and integrated care for homeless families in the SPA.

• Schedules an appointment with an FSC case manager for completion of the standardized assessment within 3 7 days as determined by prioritization score and program standards.

• Diverts families to other sources of assistance when possible.

• Screens and immediately addresses safety concerns; families with identified safety concerns such as domestic violence will be immediately connected to a domestic violence shelter provider.

• Conducts child safety screenings.

• Develops and implements crisis housing plans which include consideration of alternatives to entering the crisis housing system. If the family does not have an appropriate option for alternative housing arrange for immediate crisis housing.

• Connects families to immediate supportive services as needed such as mental health health substance abuse child care employment etc.

• Complete data entry into HMIS database.

• Coordinate with the DPSS Homeless Case Manager for initial eligibility assessment of CalWORKs benefits.

• Provide transportation assistance for the purposes of stabilizing the current housing crisis.

• Conduct followup activities to ensure completion of the crisis housing plan.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in temperature controlled environment and occasionally exposed to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs stoop kneel reach pull push bend twist and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger handle or feel.

• See hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions.

• Ability to interact with other employees clients customers and members of the public.

• Ability to work effectively under time constraints prioritize work multitask and adapt to changing work demands.

• Gather analyze synthesize and classify information. Transcribe enter and post data.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• Requires use of a computer keyboard.

• Travel to offsite meetings and evening appointments.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of transitional and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.

• Knowledge of housing issues in San Gabriel Valley preferred.

• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8 Shelter Plus Care Rapid ReHousing and others.

• Current knowledge of best practice models including: Housing First Mental Health Recovery Harm Reduction and Critical Time Intervention.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Proficient in use of laptop computer and Microsoft Windows and Office software programs (Word Excel PowerPoint).

• Ability to accurately enter client data and notes in HMIS Homeless Management Information System.

• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone copier calculator fax machine personal computer laptop computer printer and scanner).

• Possess valid California drivers license and have access to properly registered vehicle.

EDUCATION TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors Degree in social work or related field preferred.

• Three years of experience in social services preferred.

• Experience assisting low and verylow income individuals access affordable housing preferred.

• Experience working with homeless individuals preferred.

• Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish. Desirable but not required.

UNION STATION HOMELESS SERVICES EMBRACES DIVERSITY

We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve. Committed to being an antiracist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our networks we offer annual racial equity training host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n learns and participate in ongoing mental health trainings.

We promote acceptance respect teamwork and fosters diversity in the workplace. We believe every individual has a story past and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally. Through our staffled network focusing on diversity equity inclusion belonging and accessibility we work to communicate educate and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks. We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer