Student Needs Support Specialist

Student Needs Support Specialist (grant funded) is responsible for the intake of students facing basic needs insecurity, referral to counseling and outside mental health services, and coordination with internal and external organizations to increase access to resources for students. The Student Needs Support Specialist is dedicated to the learning college concepts by developing programs and facilitating activities that promote student success and lifelong learning. Representative duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide overarching coordination of resources, processes, and training related to food insecurity, housing insecurity, other benefits programs, and referral of students seeking basic needs to mental health supports.

• Collaborate closely with the Director of Counseling and Holistic Student Support, Counselors, Financial Aid staff, and other college and community stakeholders.

• Assist in coordinating supports provided under the Project Care umbrella, including the Project Care Food Pantry and the Moraine Valley Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Grant program.

• In compliance with 110 ILCS 58, create opportunities to:
  • Increase student access to support services, including identifying and referring students for mental health services;

  • Identify community organizations that could provide supports to students and recommend agencies for linkage agreements;

  • Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of peer support programs; and,

  • Provide training to college stakeholders on related services and supports.

• In compliance with Illinois Public Act 102-1045, serve as Moraine Valley’s designated “Benefits Navigator.”

• In compliance with 110 ILCS 131, serve as Moraine Valley’s designated “Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence (HOUSE)” liaison.

• In compliance with Illinois Public Act 103-0435, serve as Moraine Valley’s designated staff member to assist students with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment.

• Work with community housing agencies and local housing options to identify possible housing resources for students.

• Work with students to complete the Foundation Emergency Financial Assistance Grant application and assist with provision of some financial supports.

• Assist students being served by facilitating the scheduling of follow-up appointments for academic, career, and personal counseling provided by Moraine Valley Counselors.

• Collaborate with the Director of Counseling and Holistic Student Support to collect data for monthly and annual reporting.

• Provide presentations and relevant information to college stakeholders to reduce stigma and improve the referral process for students experiencing basic needs insecurities.

• Assist the college in preparing grant proposals that support these efforts.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus for small and light-colored font.