SOAR Benefits and Housing Case Worker

Company Overview:

As a long-time leader in Connecticut, New Reach hopes to now chart a new path by fundamentally shifting how our community manages and responds to the homelessness and housing insecurity crises. With increased focus on preventing evictions and providing long-term stability for those who are establishing their independence, we believe a true systems change is possible. We imagine a world where the need for shelter is minimal, because individuals and families are able to stay in their homes instead of being evicted and those who are struggling to make ends meet can get the help they need to maintain stability. We inspire lasting independence for all people affected by homelessness and poverty through a continuum of housing and support, using the most innovative, progressive, equitable and inclusive methods.

Primary Purpose:

The primary purpose of this role is to prevent and/or end homelessness through case management services and through assisting clients with accessing Social Security benefits through the SOAR model. SOAR (SSI, SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery) is a national program, supported by SAMHSA, designed to increase access to the disability income benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration. Half of this position's purpose is dedicated to utilizing the SOAR model with eligible adults and children who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and have a serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorder. The other half of this position's primary purpose is to provide case management services to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness through the provision of time-limited, intensive support services and strategies to stabilize housing. Other populations or housing support services may be assigned as secondary purposes when needed.

Essential Functions:

• Carry a caseload split between housing case management services and SOAR services.
• Accept referrals from local and regional sources including but not limited to the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Network (CAN), housing authorities, legal aid entities, nonprofit organizations, and other community stakeholders.
• Initiate contact with the individuals and families referred to describe program services, evaluate program eligibility, and assess the services needed to support housing stabilization.
• Complete coordinated screenings and intakes for case management services with the Coordinated Access Network (CAN), including assessment of needs and screening for eligibility for services.
• Conduct comprehensive program intakes and intensive case management services to households assigned.
• Provide education to clients and property owners/managers about the program's services to engage all parties in appropriate service components.
• Co-create housing stabilization goal plans with clients and other parties involved in services.
• Assist clients with stabilizing housing, including landlord/tenant mediation, linkage to housing court legal representation, affordable housing search and acquisition, transition to housing, tenancy skill building and responsibilities, fiscal preparedness for independent rent payment, and housing maintenance.
• Assist clients with identifying unaddressed needs and encourage an array of integrated support/services related to benefits, employment and income, education, housing, medical conditions, mental health, substance use and recovery, family and/or community-based supports, and access to mainstream services. Refer and support engagement in appropriate services to meet the household's needs.
• Work collaboratively and maintain positive, professional communication with referring agents, CAN partners, community providers, clients' informal support networks, legal entities, property owners/managers, subsidy administrators, Social Security Administration, Disability Determination Services, the SOAR Technical Assistance Center, and other service systems to support housing and income acquisition, retention, and overall stability.
• Become SOAR certified to submit complete and quality applications for income and benefits including SAGA cash, SSI, and SSDI with fidelity to all SOAR critical components.
  • Become the appointed representative for the client's disability claim.
  • Collect medical records and supporting evidence for the client's disability claim.
  • Submit applications for SSI and SSDI with supporting evidence to the Social Security Administration.
  • Collect verbal and written statements from the client, service providers, and members of the client's support network that support client's disability claim and formulate a medical summary report, encompassing information from medical records and statements, that is signed by a medical provider.
  • Maintain communication amongst the client, Social Security Administration, and Department of Disability Determination Services as the primary point of contact for the client's disability claim.
• Utilize the statewide HMIS database, Google Sheets, and SOAR Online Application Tracking (OAT) system to maintain timely and accurate documentation of required assessments, case notes, services, financial requests, and SOAR outcomes. Maintain hard copy client files in accordance with program requirements including assessments, goal plans, rental assistance, completed applications, housing inspections, and relevant written correspondence.
• Actively participate in agency and community-based meetings and trainings to engage in programmatic, operational, and client service best practices
• Develop a strong community presence to educate others about the program, advocate for housing rights, and mediate housing concerns effectively.
• Participate in internal, local, regional, and statewide meetings and community outreach events as assigned.
• Develop a strong community profile with the homeless services, mental health, substance use, and/or HIV/AIDS community as an advocate for clients.
• Other duties as assigned to assure successful operations.

Qualifications:

• BA/BS in Human Services or related field, OR associate degree and 2 years of human services experience.
• Highly motivated, with excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide intensive and comprehensive services to households experiencing homelessness and housing instability, including advocacy and mediation skills.
• High level of organizational skills to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to support the mission of New Reach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation with proof of insurance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with housing, housing law, and provision of services to the identified population preferred.
• Bilingual/Bicultural preferred.

Expectations:

• Be available to work onsite at New Reach offices, in client homes, and in the community from 8:30am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.
• Have a solutions-based approach to presented problems.
• Be supportive, engaging and encouraging to peers and staff.
• Be adaptable to change and willing to take on more responsibility.
• Maintain strict confidentiality concerning any client's or employees' personal information, living information, and/or HIV status.
• Commit to the values of New Reach: Professionalism, Integrity, Compassion and Initiative.
• Adhere to all New Reach's Policies and Procedures.

Physical Demands:

• 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The associate must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Equal Employment Opportunity/VET Employer/Affirmative Action Employer