SMI Housing and Benefits Specialist

The SMI Housing and Benefits Specialist assists individuals enrolled in Valle del Sols Serious Mental Illness (SMI) program in obtaining maintaining and maximizing access to safe stable housing and public benefit programs that support recovery health and independence. This position serves as the organizations subject matter expert in housing resources entitlement programs and benefits navigation while addressing social determinants of health that impact overall well-being.

Using a strengths-based trauma-informed culturally responsive recovery-oriented and person-centered approach the SMI Housing and Benefits Specialist collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to reduce barriers to housing financial stability healthcare access and community integration through advocacy education resource coordination and ongoing support.

Housing Navigation & Stability

• Assist members in locating applying for obtaining and maintaining safe affordable and appropriate housing.
• Conduct housing needs and housing readiness assessments.
• Assist members with housing applications required documentation and eligibility requirements.
• Coordinate with landlords property managers housing authorities and community housing providers.
• Conduct home visits housing inspections and tenancy support activities as appropriate.
• Monitor housing stability and intervene early to reduce the risk of housing loss.

Benefits & Financial Stability

• Assist members in applying for maintaining and renewing AHCCCS SSI SSDI Medicare SNAP ALTCS and other federal state and local benefit programs.
• Assist members in obtaining required documentation including identification Social Security cards income verification and medical documentation.
• Educate members regarding employment incentives work supports and the impact of earned income on public benefits.
• Track benefit renewal deadlines and proactively prevent interruptions in coverage.
• Complete or coordinate SOAR applications when applicable.

Care Coordination & Community Collaboration

• Collaborate with Case Managers Mental Health Therapists Care Coordinators Peer Support Specialists nurses psychiatrists and community providers.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
• Support development and implementation of housing and benefits goals within the ISP.
• Advocate for members experiencing barriers to housing or benefit eligibility.
• Coordinate referrals to community resources supporting housing stability and financial independence.

Community Partnerships & Resource Development

• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with housing authorities HUD-funded programs landlords behavioral health providers entitlement agencies legal aid organizations and community partners.
• Maintain current knowledge of housing resources benefit programs eligibility requirements and community supports.
• Identify opportunities to expand housing resources and community partnerships.
• Promote Housing First principles and recovery-oriented housing practices.

Documentation Quality & Compliance

• Maintain accurate timely and complete documentation.
• Monitor assigned quality measures.
• Maintain housing and benefits tracking reports.
• Participate in quality improvement.
• Ensure compliance with AHCCCS HUD organizational and regulatory requirements.

Professional Responsibilities

• Demonstrates behavior consistent with Valle del Sols mission vision values and Emotional Quotients.
• Promotes culturally responsive trauma-informed recovery-oriented and person-centered services.
• Maintains competency in psychiatric rehabilitation supported employment recovery principles and evidence-based rehabilitation practices.
• Participates in required training continuing education competency assessments and professional development activities.
• Maintains all required certifications clearances and continuing education applicable to the position.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred:

• Associates degree in Counseling Marriage and Family Therapy Social Work Addiction Counseling or a related behavioral health field from an accredited institution.

Experience

Required:

• Experience working with individuals with Serious Mental Illness.
• Experience navigating housing systems and entitlement programs.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred:

• Experience coordinating services for individuals with behavioral health medical educational or social service needs.
• Experience working within integrated healthcare community behavioral health or community-based settings.
• Experience supporting individuals with complex social determinants of health or barriers to care.
• Experience with SOAR HUD ALTCS Permanent Supportive Housing Housing First SSI/SSDI and/or Benefits counseling.

Licensure/Certification

Required:

• Must meet qualifications for and obtain Behavioral Health Technician (BHT) credentialing within 90 days of hire and maintain credentialing requirements throughout employment.
• Must meet the licensure certification or credentialing requirements applicable to the position in accordance with Arizona law and applicable regulatory authorities.
• Must practice within the scope of applicable credentials consistent with organizational policies and the needs of the populations served.
• BLS certification or ability to obtain within 5 days of start date.
• Arizona Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card or ability to obtain within 5 days of start date.
• CPI certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred:

• SOAR certification.
• Certified Benefits Counselor.
• HUD Housing Specialist training.
• Housing First certification.
• Specialized training related to integrated care social determinants of health patient navigation care transitions or community resource coordination.

Other Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass pre- and continued employment screenings successfully.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license an acceptable driving record and meet Valle del Sols insurance requirements when driving a company vehicle.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of population health management value-based care healthcare operations and care coordination principles.
• Knowledge of healthcare quality programs including UDS HEDIS CMS AHCCCS HRSA and other regulatory and payer performance measures.
• Knowledge of healthcare reimbursement methodologies value-based purchasing risk adjustment attribution shared savings and alternative payment models.
• Knowledge of chronic disease management behavioral health integration care transitions utilization management and social determinants of health.
• Ability to develop implement and evaluate enterprise-wide population health strategies that improve patient outcomes and organizational performance.
• Ability to analyze clinical financial claims utilization pharmacy and operational data to identify trends prioritize interventions and support strategic decision-making.
• Ability to develop and monitor dashboards scorecards key performance indicators (KPIs) and outcome measures.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and foster collaboration across clinical operational financial quality information technology and payer-facing departments.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with providers executive leadership health plans hospitals community organizations and other external stakeholders.
• Strong leadership coaching mentoring and change management skills with the ability to influence organizational performance without direct authority.
• Strong strategic planning critical thinking project management and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written verbal presentation and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment maintain confidentiality and make informed decisions in complex and evolving healthcare environments.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) population health management platforms healthcare analytics tools Microsoft Office Suite and business intelligence software.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities lead complex initiatives and consistently meet organizational deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients providers employees community partners and payer representatives.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with organizational policies regulatory requirements and contractual obligations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and cross-functional team environment.
• Commitment to promoting culturally responsive trauma-informed recovery-oriented and patient-centered care.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Environment

This position may operate in clinical office or community settings including clinics administrative offices outreach locations client homes partner agencies and community sites. Employees may interact with individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges emotional distress or complex social needs. Standard safety precautions and personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required as applicable.

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Typical requirements may include:

• Sitting standing walking bending and reaching for extended periods
• Operating computers mobile devices and standard office or clinical equipment
• Travel to various Valle del Sol locations or community sites when required
• Lifting or moving materials or equipment up to 25 pounds

Schedule & Travel

Work schedules may vary based on program needs and may include evening or weekend hours. Some positions may require local travel between Valle del Sol sites or community locations.

Equipment

Employees may operate standard office clinical and communication equipment including computers phones printers electronic health record systems laptops and mobile devices.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Employees must maintain compliance with all Valle del Sol policies and applicable regulatory requirements which may include:

• Licensure certification credentialing and/or privileging requirements applicable to the position.
• Required immunizations and occupational health clearances.
• Tuberculosis (TB) testing and Hepatitis B screening or declination when applicable.
• Arizona Level I Fingerprint Clearance Card when required by law or program.
• Valid drivers license and acceptable driving record when operating a vehicle for company business.
• Completion and maintenance of required training certifications and continuing education.

Failure to obtain or maintain required credentials clearances or compliance requirements may impact eligibility for employment or continued assignment in the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Valle del Sol is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age disability or veteran status. Valle del Sol is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a position or to participate in the interview process please contact us at

Additional Information

This job description has been reviewed to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employees ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions responsibilities skills and abilities or a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to modify add or remove duties as necessary.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Life Insurance
• Paid Disability Insurance
• Paid time off
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Particpation in the NHSC Loan Repayment Program for qualifying positions!