South County Coordinated Entry (CES) Connector

Position: South County Coordinated Entry (CE) Connector

Program: Coordinated Entry System (CES) Connectors

Department: Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Services (HPIS)

Location: Based in Watsonville, will serve all of Santa Cruz County

Status: Full-Time

Hours/week: 37.5 - 40 hours per week, occasional evenings/weekends

Salary: $24.00-$26.00 per hour

Benefits: Medical (employee share of cost depending on plan selected), vision, life, dental (employee pays half of dental) insurance, Retirement plan (401K plan after six months), 24 days annual leave to start, and 13 paid holidays per year.

Reports to: HPIS Department Coordinator

To Apply: Submit resume and cover letter to HR@cabinc.org or apply on-line at Indeed.com ASAP; Open until filled

Note: Selected applicants must be available to complete employment application in person before receiving invitation to interview.

Overview: The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB) has been the County’s designated Community Action Agency since 1965, with the mission to eliminate poverty. CAB does so through the 5 program pillars of community building, employment, immigration legal services, special projects and homelessness prevention and intervention services (HPIS) that serve over 9,000 people per year, with a staff of over 80 employees. CAB’s HPIS Department programs include the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), Youth Homeless Response Team (YHRT), Transitional Age Youth Housing Navigation (TAY NAV) program, Watsonville Works! (WWks!), HOPE Village low-barrier housing navigation center, and the South County Coordinated Entry System (CES) Connector program.

Duties:

The South County Connector is responsible for a caseload of clients and all activities related to their case. Connectors will play a primary role in the Coordinated Entry System (CES) by assisting people experiencing homelessness to identify opportunities that will help them in their search for stable and affordable housing, including accessing resources through the Medi-Cal funded CalAIM system. This Connector will work with participants to complete a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) and develop a Housing Action Plan (HAP) to identify specific steps towards securing housing and meeting other identified needs, including outreach, enrollment, service provision and resource access through CalAIM. The HNA is also used to determine eligibility for the limited permanent housing resources within the County’s Housing for Health Partnership (H4HP) Response System. CAB’s HPIS Connectors work as part of CAB’s outreach team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide both in and out of office outreach, case management, and assessing of client populations (South County adults aged 18 ) for eligibility for programming, including CalAIM services, according to program guidelines, applying casework skills to identify clients’ strengths and needs.
• Identify individuals experiencing homelessness and build rapport, including through outside outreach environments in conditions where homeless individuals are living/camping that may include terrain that is physically challenging or inclement weather such as rain or exposure to sun.
• Conduct initial triage and safety screenings and direct participants to crisis assistance if needed.
• Provide information and referrals and develop housing stability plans according to client choice.
• Create a Housing Action Plan (HAP) per client choice; identify housing related priorities.
• Engage participants to complete the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) and problem-solving process.
• Provide health, Medi-Cal and CalFRESH information, referral, eligibility, and access assistance.
• Enroll, provide and document CalAIM services including enhanced care management (ECM) and community supports (CS) for eligible clients with health and housing related needs.
• Participate in meetings and outreach events/activities as needed and assigned. Collaborate with partners for referrals and service coordination.
• Maintain accurate financial and programmatic records using Microsoft Excel, Teams, Word etc.
• Support participants to identify housing options outside of the H4HP Response System.
• Support participants prioritized for a referral to a housing program. For participants who receive referrals to housing programs that do not provide case management support, Connectors will help with the housing search and move-in process, including securing related required documents completing applications, and securing housing.
• For housing programs that offer case management support to help participants enter the program, Connectors will help only with securing required documents.
• Maintain an average caseload of no fewer than 15 and up to-20 participants at a time.
• Participate in ongoing training, professional development, and scheduled Connector meetings.
• Provide ongoing feedback to H4H Division to support continuous program and process improvement.
• Manage clients’ entry and exit from the program, including when participant is inactive or transferred.
• Gather statistical information for reporting purposes.
• Perform timely and accurate data entry including HMIS data entry requirements following privacy and security standards.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures outlined in the CES Policy and Procedure Manual and in any relevant guidance provided by CAB/HPIS and the County’s Housing for Health Department.
• Provide culturally appropriate services.
• Communicate effectively in both written and oral form (Spanish/English).
• Support the goals and standards of CAB and its Homelessness Prevention & Intervention Services.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with persons experiencing homelessness, and housing services.
• Knowledge and familiarity with the Santa Cruz County network of services and housing programs.
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment, ability to engage in multiple concurrent projects.
• Some lived experience with homelessness.
• Training in motivational interviewing and/or trauma informed care.
• One year eligibility/case management experience (paid or volunteer).
• Experience with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data system.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bilingual and biliterate (Spanish/English) REQUIRED.
• Human/Social Services Coursework, A.A./B.A. in Social Work or related field or equivalent experience.
• Ability to deal with individuals in trauma (including aggressive or sad behavior) when necessary.
• Basic math and map reading skills and the ability to keep accurate records REQUIRED.
• Interested and competent in working with vulnerably unhoused persons.
• Commitment to non-judgmental, housing focused service provision and empowering client choice.
• Strong initiative and willingness to pitch in as needed, outstanding follow-through with tasks.
• Proficient computer skills (MS Office Suite and Outlook) REQUIRED.
• Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner.
• Clean driving record, current DL, vehicle & vehicle insurance with work use endorsement, REQUIRED.
• Ability to sit, stand, bend, reach and routinely safely lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to work outside in conditions where homeless individuals are living/camping that may include terrain that is physically challenging or inclement weather such as rain or exposure to sun.

The hired candidate will adhere to CAB’s standard of upholding the agency’s mission, values and code of ethics through a commitment to confidentiality and communication.

This position is funded in whole or in part through grant funding. Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and making employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age (40 and over), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, marital status, disability (physical or mental), medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a vehicle to use with valid insurance and a clean driving record?
• Do you have a valid drivers license?

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $24 - $26