Heading:Title: Housing Support SpecialistReports To: Supervisor of Non-Clinical ICM StaffDepartment: Integrated Care ManagementJob Grade: Employment Status: Date: March 2024General Responsibilities:The Housing support specialist is a part of the integrated care management department at Thundermist Health Center and will provide community based services under The Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) under the Home Stabilization Initiative The Housing Support Specialist is responsible for providing collaborative intensive coordination for Medicaid patients who meet the Medicaid eligibility criteria based on a mental health and/or a complex physical health need which puts a patient at risk for or has caused homelessness and has associated risk factors necessitating complex housing stabilization such as history of eviction, frequent turn-over of in-home caregivers, history of institutionalization in either a medical, group home, correctional facility, or past or present substance use that interferes with the ability to pay rent or created interpersonal issues jeopardizing housing. Support services in the program are intended to be broad, flexible, and promote community integration and independence in housing. The housing support specialist will work with the patient who will be an active participant in the development of a Home Stabilization Service Plan (Plan). Plan will be based on the needs and choices of the individual and be updated per Medicaid standards of program and documentation of services. The Home Stabilization program will provide an array of time-limited services, including home tenancy, life skills and other modeling and teaching services for individuals who require support in obtaining and maintaining a home, or home find services to individuals who require support in finding and transitioning to housing. Services are intended to be flexible and support recipients in becoming self-sufficient in their housing needs. Through collaboration with home stabilization providers and other delivery systems serving Medicaid beneficiaries, a system will be established that meets the needs of individuals facing home stabilization concerns. Required Qualifications:Education-High School Diploma / General Educational Development & at least 1 year professional experience in a related field Must have completed training or complete training program upon hire from EOHHS for Home Stabilization services. Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures of services included under Home Stabilization Services meant to support the beneficiary’s ability to obtain and maintain residence in independent community settingsJob knowledge - broad knowledge base of relevant professional, technical and clinical information across assigned departmentsExperience in community health setting, public health setting, population health management, chronic disease management, community case managementProven success in handling difficult conversations with all levels of staffAbility to effectively communicate, work collaboratively with patients , care team and external community agenciesProfessionalism, self starter, autonomous, leader, training skills, customer service oriented, problem solver Primary Contacts:ExternalFrequency:Outside agencies DailyProviders DailyPatients Daily InternalFrequency:Providers DailyPatients DailyAncillary staff DailyStudents Families DailyDaily Physical Effort/Environment:Meet with patients in the community, at their home, in the hospital, or other community settings.Flexibility to travel within Rhode Island to meet the needs of the patient.May require climbing several flights of stairs.General office environment: manual dexterity needed for keyboard work, writing and phone calls. Work Schedule Demands:Full time Communication Skills: 1. Interpreting technical medical terminology daily. Use all methods of communication with patients such as interpreting, counseling, group discussion, written materials and visual aids.2. Identify and communicate cultural, social, and economical characteristics of the population served.3. Document clearly and concisely in the medical record in accordance with Thundermist policies and established Medicaid guidelines for Housing Stabilization Program. 5. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and communicate in a professional manner with patients, families, other staff, and outside contacts.6. Work as a team member for performance improvement initiatives.Confidentiality of Information:Full access to client’s medical record and some access to financial/statistical materialMaintains client confidentiality at all levels of interactionMaintains staff confidentiality when appropriate Significant Job Functions:Provide time-limited supports to build a set of skills that promote independence and ensure that an individual is able to meet the obligations of tenancy and successfully maintain housing or obtain housing in a self-sufficient mannerDevelop a person-centered Home Stabilization Service Plan collaboratively with the patient and other service providers engaged in the patient’s care as appropriate. Plans shall include the following history (including, but not limited to health, behavioral health, housing), concerns (including, but not limited to health, behavioral health, housing) Goals (including, but not limited to health, housing maintenance, social connectedness, recovery, employment or income, etc.) Interventions (including all services and providers the beneficiary is engaged with)Coordinate with patient to review, update, and modify their housing support and crisis plan on a regular basis to reflect current needs and address existing or recurring housing retention barriers.Conduct patient screening and housing assessments that identify the patients’ preferences and barriers related to successful tenancy as part of the Home Stabilization Service PlanConduct thorough assessment of the systems and services the beneficiary is engaged with and identify gaps or services that may support the beneficiary in maintaining housing and healthDocument all other providers engaged in a beneficiary’s care – including healthcare, behavioral health, and social service providers, – a brief description of each provider’s role in the beneficiary’s care, and their contact informationIdentify and facilitate connection to providers for new services as applicable that may help the beneficiary maintain housing and health, as desired by the beneficiary.Engage in case conferencing with other providers as appropriate to coordinate care, share care planning and progress in achieving goals, and minimize duplication of effort.Leverage HMIS or other information technology platforms to facilitate information sharing and provider-to-provider coordination.Provide Support to assist the individual with the housing application and search process. Assist the individual in identifying resources to cover moving and start-up expenses and assist in arranging for and supporting the details of the move.Ensure the living environment is safe and ready to move-inCoordinate and link recipients to supports that assist in early identification and intervention for behaviors that may jeopardize housing, such as late rental payment and other lease violations;Connect the individual to education and training on the role, rights, and responsibilities of the landlord and tenant, as well as reinforcement of lessons to maximize the skills learned.Provide supports to assist the individual in developing and maintaining key relationships with landlords/property managers with a goal of fostering successful tenancyAttend internal and external meetings as required and provides feedback to and from assigned departmentsPromote productivity and efficiency in operationsAssume responsibility for professional continuing educationMaintain OSHA and HIPPA guidelinesAdheres to organizational policies and procedures and works to enhance them as neededMaintain and sustain open lines of communication with supervisor, providers, and all other staff