Interviews and assists persons, who come to the Corps requesting emergency and/or temporary financial assistance. Provides assessment and develops service plan to address current or future needs. May provide material assistance based upon available resources. Provides information and referral for additional or more appropriate services to meet unmet needs for individuals and families served through the Emergency Assistance Program.

POSITION TITLE :Emergency Assistance Worker

LOCATION : North & Central Illinois Division / Adele and Robert Stern Red Shield Community Center

REPORTS TO : Office Manager

FLSA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt

STATUS TYPE: Full-Time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Client Services

1. Interviews persons, requesting assistance, to assess their need. Obtains background information from client and makes assessment.
2. Develops service plan with the individual or family to identify service needs and goals. Collaborates with area agencies involved with client in implementing service plan.
3. Grants material assistance based upon need and as a part of a total service plan. Verifies eligibility. Documents income, expenses and family size.
4. Distributes in-kind or financial aid according to Emergency Assistance Program Policies & Procedures Manual, (i.e. clothing, food, household furnishings, vouchers for rent/utilities, etc.).
5. Distributes utility assistance, according to established "Share the Warmth," "Sharing" and other existing program policies.
6. Distributes seasonal Christmas assistance, according to the Corps Seasonal Assistance Program Policy & Procedures (i.e. Christmas baskets, toy distribution, Adopt-A-Family, etc.)
7. Makes referrals, based upon need and as a part of the total service plan. Makes specific arrangements for client to apply for additional resources, when appropriate. Refers individuals/families to:
• Other area agencies/services
• Other corps services (i.e. Head Start, etc.)
• Other Salvation Army services for longer term help (i.e. Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge, Family & Community Services, Harbor Light Center, etc.)
8. Maintains concise comprehensive written case records on all clients requesting assistance, including FEMA, utility assistance programs and seasonal Christmas assistance. Consistently updates interviewer's notes on client database. Interviewer's notes include assessment, service plan, assistance given and referrals made.

Community Relations

1. Maintains an updated community resource file of area services and maintains positive relationships with frequently used service providers.
2. Attends appropriate social service provider network meetings (i.e. pantry network).
3. Distributes Emergency Assistance Program Intake Policy to agencies, churches and schools, and interprets policies and services as needed.
4. Attends emergency service workshops sponsored by various agencies.
5. Food Pantry
   1. Secure and supervise volunteers in preparing food bags.
   2. Intake clients and distribute food bags.
   3. Keep area clean.
   4. Attend yearly USDA meetings and prepare monthly signature sheet report.

Administration

1. Maintains and processes proper documentation for all FEMA expenditures.
2. Is responsible for the thoroughness and accuracy of daily and monthly Salvation Army casework statistics and additional program statistics, required by funding sources.
3. Organizes time and manages job so that maximum service is given to clients and job performance meets corps quantitative standards.

Other Duties

1. Provide assistance, as needed, with Special Events, Angel Tree and Red Kettle Campaign.
2. All other duties as assigned.

RELATIONSHIPS

The Emergency Assistance Worker has responsibility to:

1. Regularly attend consultation with the assigned Family Services social worker.
2. Engage in regularly scheduled group case consultation.
3. Comply with the Divisional Certification and Training Program.
4. Abide by the current covenant established between the Corps and Family Services in addressing the needs of the individual Emergency Assistance Worker.

In some circumstances, may provide supervision of community volunteers on specific service projects (i.e. preparation of Christmas baskets, organization of food pantry, etc.).

This individual also relates to, and interacts with, a wide range of contacts both within and outside

The Salvation Army. in these contacts, they act as a representative of the Army and its mission.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a High School degree or its equivalent.
• Participation in continued training and educational programming in order to enhance job competencies and to meet Certification requirement.
• Additional training (AS/AA or BA/BS social work, sociology or human services) helpful.
• Administrative and bookkeeping experience with a background in a computer based work environment.

COMPETENCIES

• Cultural sensitivity with an interest in providing direct services to persons of various ethnic, racial, religious, and social backgrounds.
• Friendly with excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, using diplomacy and good judgment.
• A love for and desire to serve others, especially disenfranchised individuals, families and the local community through the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Integrity with the ability to work with confidential material.
• Relationship skills (heart of helping process).
• Problem solving skills including Assessment, Service Planning, Material Assistance, Resource Development and Networking, Referral and Linkage, Follow-up and Documentation.
• Time management skills with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and use initiative.
• Capacity to collaborate with Corps, Family & Community Services and Emergency Disaster Services.
• A strong commitment to uphold and promote the mission of The Salvation Army.