Diversion Specialist

JOB DESCRIPTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Diversion Specialist will work closely with community partners to quickly divert and prevent individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis from becoming homeless by providing intervention services. The Forensic Diversion Specialist’s primary role is to support individuals being released from the Connecticut Department of Corrections, who are experiencing homelessness, or are at imminent risk of becoming homeless. S/he will provide diversion services, community outreach and referrals to expand and complement programs already offered by the Connecticut ford Coordinated Access Network (CAN).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Required to maintain accurate and up to date charts in HMIS as determined by DOH, for all clients receiving case management and financial services. Data requirements include intakes, case notes, assessments, coordinated entry events, and program discharges.
• Assess and evaluate client’s risks and barriers to obtaining and maintaining stable housing based on the Greater Hartford Coordinated Access Network’s criteria through assessments completed via telephone or face to face.
• Assess, triage, and divert clients from homelessness. HUB staff will work with the client to assess their risks and barriers to obtaining and maintaining stable housing.
• Assist clients in developing individual plans to move towards self-sufficiency and to retain and/or secure permanent housing.
• Provide assistance for clients in: budgeting, employment search, arranging childcare, locating permanent housing, managing medical issues, and addressing transportation and other needs.
• Be a “Super-Navigator” to help clients access other service providers, including state and city agencies and non-profits, benefits, and support systems. Advocate for clients and provide referrals to appropriate other service providers as needed. Maintain current knowledge of and good working relationships with other service providers. Attend interagency meetings as required.
• Have or develop a strong expertise providing housing coordination services for eligible households, provide training to clients regarding those housing opportunities and regarding budgeting and maintaining a household, and other skills that are deemed necessary for a household to successfully achieve stability in permanent housing. An integral part of the responsibilities is to identify, recruit, establish and maintain relationships with landlords, private and non-profit, who will work with eligible families. This includes screening out potential landlords who have a history of poor compliance with their legal responsibilities and fair housing practices.
• Stabilize individuals and families out of their housing crisis, including those on shelter priority lists.
• Conduct conflict mediation to assist clients to remain housed with an existing landlord, family or friends.
• Make sure clients have the necessary documents to access services, including Social Security card, official picture ID, birth certificate, proof of citizenship and proof of income eligibility.
• Make ‘warm hands-offs’ of clients to other agencies and ensure necessary support and services are in place if clients need or request longer-term case management or on-going services.
• Establish partnership with local re-entry center, including co-location of services at least 4 hours per week.
• Attend meetings and in-service training as required.
• Utilize a strengths-based and client-centered approach when conducting interviews to help clients identify strengths, successes, and resources that they can use to develop plans to move towards self-sufficiency and to retain/secure permanent housing and avoid having to enter emergency shelter.
• Perform any other task that will assist the CRT in carrying out its mission.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform all duties relative to special programs/projects as required by program manager or designee.
• Provide input and make recommendations regarding program/departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
• Reports to and conducts additional duties by various funder guidelines and requirements.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Education and Experience: An Associate degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Social Work or a similar Human Service field is required, bachelor's degree (B.A) is preferred. Have a familiarity with housing first, progressive engagement, and reality testing. Experience with conflict resolution and mediation. Two (2) years’ relevant work experience and demonstrated ability to provide effective services to clients required. Needs to be culturally competent across all populations. Bilingual a plus.

Required Skills

• Self-starter, able to work and make decisions independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: strong ability to set boundaries with clients.
• Ability to collaborate with community organizations and Supervisor.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including in virtual settings.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills: ability to prioritize tasks.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a can-do attitude.
• Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and program requirements.

Demonstrate skills: Ability to compile written reports and maintain case notes both electronically and paperback. Experience in facilitating groups is preferred but not required. Maintain a professional demeanor and interpersonal skills with participants, community providers and funders. Able and willing to work independently and as part of the team and exercise mature judgment. Proficient knowledge in processing confidential information. Knowledge and familiarity with HMIS highly preferred.

Bilingual: Preferred - Language: Spanish – verbal & written - preferred

Driving Required: YES. Agency Vehicle: Occasionally Employee’s Own Vehicle: YES

Must have a valid Connecticut driver’s license, vehicle, and clean driving record with proof of automobile insurance at time of hire and throughout employment.

Physical and TB Required: NO

ADA COMPLIANCE

Physical Ability: Tasks involve sedentary to light work, involving some reaching, handling, fingering and/or feeling of objects and materials.

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require visual perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Factors: Tasks are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.

How You Will Succeed:

• People First- Everyone matters, and you regard people's well-being and success as a priority.
• Do the Right Thing- Act with integrity and do what is best for the greater or common good. It means making decisions that are not based on your own personal needs, that do not expand your popularity, or enforce your personal beliefs.
• Own Your Role- Be highly accountable and do the job you were hired for. If you own yours, you are not worried about, preoccupied with, or diluting your attention to anyone else's. Owning your role means focusing on only what you can control and letting your teammates do the same.
• Embrace and Drive Change- We learn not to fear change but instead embrace it enthusiastically. It is even more important that we encourage and drive it. That keeps us in a healthy state of change readiness. Change is based around humbleness and an understanding that we can always grow and get better.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion-Believe that diversity makes us all better and enjoy working with people of diverse backgrounds. Work to make all your teammates feel welcome and understand that we must provide equitable opportunities for all.
• Teamwork and Community Engagement- Rely on our work with others internally and externally to successfully meet the vision and mission of CRT. We can accomplish wonderful things when we work collectively. Cheer for your teammates to succeed and uplift when things are tough. Do not let others down.
• Understand, align with and practice under the following philosophies/models: Housing First Model, Trauma-informed Care, Client-Centered Approach, Harm Reduction, and Low-Barrier Shelter.
• Believe in our mission: Changing Lives and creating opportunity.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.