TAY Resource Coordinator

Organizational Overview:

Upward Bound House (UBH) is dedicated to ending the cycle of intergenerational family homelessness.  We compassionately provide a continuum of services ranging from crisis housing to permanent housing and homelessness prevention.  With over 30 years of experience in family homelessness, UBH is a leading services provider, contributing to and advocating for lasting solutions to end family homelessness.  Our diverse team is passionate about our mission, UBH provides a fast-paced environment that values empowerment, collaboration, diversity, relationships, efficiency and communication.  UBH provides a supportive, caring and merit-based environment for team members and is vested in their growth and development. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.

Position Summary

The ideal Youth Regional Coordinator builds and fosters healthy relationships with consumers and providers serving Transition Age Youth. The position is responsible for coordinating regional access for TAY consumers and building collaborative partnerships with service providers. The position provides outreach and referrals, in order to help youth secure services and reduce barriers to accessing services through the Coordinated Entry System for Youth (YCES) in SPA 5. It will also provide systems leadership while fostering community education and resource development. Additionally, the position will be responsible for establishing key partnerships to enhance the system and increase access to services, activities, and community engagement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Facilitate partnerships across SPA 5 by developing and cultivating relationships with traditional and nontraditional homeless service organization serving youth and young adults.
• Liaison between lead agency and SPA 5 CES provider community.
• Act as point of contact for partners and external providers, ensuring smooth flow of services for members and positive partner relations.
• Work collaboratively with other entities serving youth, to ensure youth are being identified, connected, and served without barriers, including County departments such as DMH, DHS, LACOE, DPSS, and DCFS.
• Work closely with the regional YCES Access Points, Outreach Teams, and Peer Advocates, to facilitate systems integration.
• Ensure that all CES funded and other leveraged programs are functioning in alignment to create a seamless system of care for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County.
• Possess an intimate knowledge of SPA 5 YCES and be able to articulate this information to community stakeholder, including knowledge of City and County Homeless Initiatives.
• Develop and maintain a working resource list of available services; that youth and providers can access.
• Outreach/In-reach to youth at places routinely frequented by youth.
• Leadership and/or supportive role in the coordination of SPA wide community events.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner at meetings and community events.
• Provide system leadership and infrastructure support by implementing policies and practices, attending regional coordination meetings, attending trainings created and/or hosted by LAHSA, and representing the CES at relevant regional meetings related to homelessness.
• Assist with regional systems planning, expansion, development, and evaluation.
• Support the continued development of currently existing interagency relationships to close system gaps and make SPA 5’s YCES system more effective.
• Provide CES system support and leadership centering youth perspective and experience.
• Participate in providing feedback of youth experience and data collection methods to better represent the needs of youth members in the CES system.
• Knowing, understanding, and articulating system level data.
• Represent youth interests across SPA 5 by participating in events for youth to promote awareness of resources and engagement in services, and engaging and connecting peer workers across SPA 5.
• Represent the SPA 5 YCES in key meetings with elected officials, funders, and collaborative partners.
• Collaborate with community-based LGBT, youth, and homeless services organizations to meet the needs of youth.
• Communicate regularly with LAHSA regional YCES staff.
• Work with consumers as needed to support staff efforts.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and adhere to UBH’s Code of Ethics and Core Values.
• Facilitate and participate in staff meetings, planning meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Maintain files/records on client services in compliance with regulations and funding requirements for auditing purposes.
• Document activities, services, and outcomes in an effective manner in order to draft reports that articulate efforts and results.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to interface with youth from a community driven, trauma informed, culturally aware, transformative and reformative based approach.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; and follow detailed instructions.
• Ability to work well in a team, as well as independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage sensitive and confidential situations with tact, professionalism, and diplomacy.
• Must display high level of professionalism and leadership qualities.
• Pleasant, courteous and professional customer service skills.
• Ability to think creatively and evaluate for systems improvements.
• Demonstrates excellent organizational skills with ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to work effectively in constantly changing and sometimes demanding or chaotic environment.
• Ability to travel to various locations to perform Out/In-reach to youth and community.
• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental illness.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently as well as in a collaborative fashion.
• Forward looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions.
• Timely in the completion of tasks.
• Maintains the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain clear personal and professional boundaries.
• Ability to solve problems, make decisions, resolve conflicts and demonstrate empathy.
• Ability to respond responsibly in emergency and crisis situations.
• Ability to occasionally work varied hours/days including evenings.
• Working knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office software. Specifically, is proficient in the use of Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with data collection and data management systems, including proficiency in HMIS.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years of experience in human services or significant work experience relevant to the position.
• Experience working with homeless population; experience working with youth and families preferred.
• Must have familiarity with the needs of the target population and experience working with crisis intervention services.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

• Employment eligibility verification.
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
• Reliable transportation.
• Successful completion of background screening.
• TB Test clearance.