Emergency Community Support Specialist

*** Full- Time Monday- Friday 9:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M., Pay Rate: $19.00 Per Hour***

The Salvation Army Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Program Mission Statement: The Emergency Community Support Program encourages self-empowerment by assisting individuals to successfully reach their highest possible level of independence and strive toward their maximum potential.

Summary/Primary Purpose: Provide intensive case management utilizing a strength-based, person-centered approach designed to promote recovery, promote meaningful participation in the community of choice, resolve crisis and promote stabilization within the community and prevent need for Emergency Protective Custody, Mental Health Board Commitments, and other utilization of higher levels of care.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in discharge planning from higher levels of care and establish a therapeutic relationship.
• Provide pre-discharge transition services from psychiatric hospitals including teaching daily living skills, scheduling appointments, transportation to appointments, and assistance with housing search as needed.
• Complete comprehensive assessment during first meeting and develop an initial Individual Service Plans (ISP) within 5 days of admission. Complete a comprehensive ISP within 14 days of admission in partnership with the consumer and support system.
• Collaborate closely with consumer, family or significant others as determined by consumer, other providers, peer support, law enforcement and local emergency services.
• Provide education to program participant and family or significant others as needed and develop, activate and/or maintain formal and informal support systems.
• Respond rapidly to crisis situations and complete participant's Safety and Aftercare Plan within 3 days of intake.
• Collaborate with program participant on Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP).
• Provide advocacy including accompanying participants in the community to assess readiness for discharge.
• Assist in obtaining benefits such as Social Security Insurance (SSI), housing vouchers, food stamps, Medicaid and provide referrals to appropriate community-based behavioral health services including a plan to access needed medications.
• Participate in staff meetings, file reviews, case consultation, performance and quality improvement and clinical supervision.
• Provide on call coverage including taking calls via telephone and going into the office to address a situation if warranted.
• Complete 15 hours of intensive on-going training per year based on program/participant population need such as Emergency Protective Custody training (EPC), Board of Mental Health (BOMH), Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Behavioral Health Diagnosis, symptomology and interventions annually.
• Driving is an essential function of this position.
• All other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or equivalent required with at least one of the following: two years lived experience; two years' direct care experience in a human service field; two years of training in a human service field; or, a bachelor's degree in a human service field.

Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the minimal knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this position.

• Ability to be flexible and able to work on multiple projects or tasks simultaneously
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel as well as email software. The ability to access payroll, timekeeping and personal data via a web-based system.
• Administrative skills to include utilization of standard office equipment, data entry, 10-key, attention to detail and filing.
• Good communication skills both written and spoken, and ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to handle confidential matters.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Other Qualifications: Must pass all applicable background checks. Must possess a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside. Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business. Must successfully complete Safe from Harm training within 90 days of hire, as established by The Salvation Army.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Obtain CPR/First aid, and CPI certification within the first 90 days of employment.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employee may often be required to engage in rigorous activities. Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting and carrying objects (50 lbs.)

Working Conditions: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.