TPSN Housing & Resource Coordinator

Position Title: TPSN Housing & Resource Coordinator

Department: Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN)

Reports to: Nichelle Simmons

About the Program:

Teen Parenting Service Network (TPSN): is a statewide Network that works exclusively with pregnant and parenting youth in DCFS care and their children. In managing statewide services for pregnant and parenting youth under a single umbrella, UCAN provides seamless service to placement providers and pregnant and parenting youth through a continuum of care. UCAN provides a full scope of clinical, training, education and parenting services designed to help young parents coping with the effects of trauma. UCAN starts by meeting youth where they are at, identifying strengths and building from success. UCAN staff members are trained to identify and treat the effects of trauma while enhancing the parenting capacity of youth so that they can be the best parents that they can be.  

Position Objective and Summary:

The Housing & Resource Coordinator provides direct assistance to clients with locating and maintaining housing, assists with completion of FAFSA, assist transitioning youth with enrolling in state healthcare programs, triage barriers to education and refer to DCFS Statewide Education Liaison and direct service teams.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Housing Coordination

• Assist youth in locating, securing, and maintaining stable housing.
• Build and maintain relationships with landlords and housing partners, address tenancy concerns, and support tenant rights.
• Review lease agreements, explain tenants’ rights and responsibilities and assist with developing move-in plans.
• Education youth on DCFS Housing Resources, assist with applying and coordination of services.

Resource Coordination & Youth Engagement

• Link youth to education, employment, childcare, health, and community resources.
• Maintain an updated community resource guide.
• Share resources to youth regarding life-skills groups, workshops, trainings, and youth activities.
• Assist youth with college preparation i.e. completing FAFSA, career exploration, and referring to DCFS education support programs for ongoing support.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Serve as a liaison to landlords, schools, and community service providers.
• Coordinate services and recruitment with internal staff.
• Document all services and engagement in Evolv.
• Participate in team meetings, youth staffings, C21 staffings, and program planning.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of UCAN.
• Acts in a professional manner always and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job-related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Understands and supports UCAN’s standard of cultural proficiency and strives to meet it.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, DCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned.

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• BSW or BS/BA in Human Service field required.

Work Conditions: This position requires travel to various UCAN locations and community organizations, as well as working with youth in the community. May require work on weekends and some evenings. Car, Driver’s License and Proof of Insurance Required.