Housing Community Support Coordinator

TITLE: Housing Community Supports Coordinator

OUR MISSION:

Abrazar (to Embrace in Spanish) is a non-profit, direct-service organization providing services to residents in Orange County. Abrazar is dedicated to embracing the diversity of families in our community, educating them on the resources we provide through our community collaborations, and empowering them to improve the quality of their lives through programs addressing health equity. Abrazar has been addressing inequities in the social drivers of health since 1975.

Abrazar serves the community by delivering programs that address the social drivers of health and improve health equity. Our goals are to Embrace, Educate and Empower children, families, and individuals with the necessary tools to achieve better health outcomes. We believe that diversity and the delivery of collaborative services are critical to the success of our programs and measure the impact of our programs by evaluating their ability to enhance our clients' social drivers of health.

Position Summary:

California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) is a multi-year initiative by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) that aims to revolutionize healthcare for all Californians. You will play a pivotal role in this historic change by helping Medi-Cal members navigate the healthcare system and access comprehensive care. You will be at the forefront of creating a more coordinated, person-centered, and equitable health system that goes beyond traditional clinical settings and addresses all physical and mental health needs.

This position is non-clinical. Interested candidates who meet the qualifications outlined above are encouraged to apply. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and any relevant certifications or documentation that demonstrates your experience and suitability for this role.

Position Responsibilities:

Primary Role: Housing Lead

You will be responsible for leading efforts to assist individuals, families, and children/youth experiencing homelessness in securing affordable and permanent housing. You will establish our agency as a housing access point within Orange County and develop a comprehensive housing program under the CalAIM initiative. This role requires strong leadership, supervision, and training experience to ensure the effective delivery of services and program success.

• Housing Program Development:
  • Lead the establishment of our agency as a recognized housing access point within the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES).
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive housing program in alignment with CalAIM Community Supports policies and procedures.
  • Design and execute strategies for housing transition navigation services, housing tenancy and sustaining services, and housing deposits.
• Team Leadership and Training
  • Provide leadership and direction to a team of housing navigators and lead care managers, ensuring that all team members are aligned with program goals and objectives.
  • Train and support staff involved in housing navigation, ensuring high performance and adherence to best practices.
  • Enhance team understanding of housing services, tenant rights, and the Coordinated Entry System (CES).
  • Stay informed of industry trends and best practices, incorporating them into staff training and program development.
  • Facilitate workshops and educational sessions for members on topics such as housing search strategies, tenancy skills, and housing stability.

• Member Support And Services
  • Conduct thorough assessments to determine member eligibility for the housing program and identify specific housing needs.
  • Provide personalized assistance to members in locating, securing, and maintaining affordable and permanent housing.
  • Engage in direct outreach to promote the housing program and recruit eligible participants.
  • Facilitate negotiations with property owners and landlords on behalf of members to secure favorable housing arrangements.
  • Mediate and resolve issues between members and landlords to ensure housing stability.
  • Offer ongoing support, resources, and referrals to ensure members’ long-term housing sustainability.
• Collaboration and Advocacy:
  • Partner with government agencies, community organizations, housing authorities, and property owners to expand housing opportunities for members.
  • Advocate for members’ tenant rights and educate them on their responsibilities to ensure compliance with housing agreements.
• Documentation and Compliance:
  • Maintain accurate, detailed, and up-to-date records of member interactions, referrals, and services provided.
  • Stay informed on current community resources, housing regulations, and service offerings to provide the most relevant support to members.
  • Uphold program standards during both in-person and virtual interactions, ensuring consistent member engagement and service quality.

CalAIM Lead Care Manager

You will assist Medi-Cal members, particularly individuals, families, and children/youth who are experiencing homelessness and have complex healthcare needs, in navigating the healthcare system. This will include resolving access challenges, establishing relationships with service providers, coordinating comprehensive care, and tracking health interventions and outcomes.

• Provide all necessary and appropriate direct services and referrals as part of the CalAIM team, with a primary focus on supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Act as a key resource for members, guiding them through the complexities of the healthcare system and ensuring they receive timely and effective care.
• Conduct thorough initial and periodic assessments of members to evaluate their needs across multiple domains, including medical, mental health, substance use, financial stability, housing, and other essential supports.
• Ensure all assessments comply with program and funder requirements.
• Develop personalized, person-centered care plans in collaboration with members and healthcare providers, ensuring that plans align with CalAIM standards and address the unique needs of each member.
• Collaborate closely with medical professionals to develop, implement, and manage care plans for members with chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart failure, hypertension, behavioral health issues, and HIV.
• Coordinate care across multiple providers and services, ensuring seamless integration of medical, mental health, and social services to meet the comprehensive needs of each member.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders involved in the care of members.
• Facilitate clear and effective communication between all parties, enhancing collaboration and ensuring that members receive consistent, coordinated care.

Program Assistant

As a Program Assistant, you will play a crucial role in supporting the Community Health Equity Navigator (CHEN) Director and the CalAIM Director to ensure the smooth operation of both programs, which work closely together. Your responsibilities will involve a variety of tasks, from administrative support to team coordination, aimed at achieving program goals and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.

• Step in to manage teams temporarily in the absence of program directors, ensuring continuity of operations and maintaining high-performance standards.
• Provide comprehensive support to the CHEN Director and CalAIM Director, including assisting with program management, scheduling, and coordination of activities as assigned.
• Serve as a reliable point of contact for the directors, handling delegated tasks efficiently and proactively addressing emerging needs.
• Execute tasks assigned by the program directors with precision and timeliness, ensuring that all deliverables meet the program’s quality standards.
• Prioritize tasks effectively to support the operational needs of both programs and contribute to the achievement of overall objectives.
• Support the CalAIM Director in ensuring that all team activities comply with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) CalAIM standards and policies.
• Assist with the implementation of compliance procedures and contribute to regular audits to maintain adherence to regulatory requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

We're looking for candidates who have:

• Housing navigation experience and Housing CES experience in Orange County
• Knowledge of chronic medical conditions, mental illness, substance use, and homelessness, as well as a basic understanding of public benefits and entitlements.  
• Excellent case management and documentation skills, including the ability to conduct needs assessments, prioritize member needs, develop action plans, and monitor progress.
• Manage and handle confidential information in accordance with HIPAA standards.
• Thrive in dynamic environments and readily adapt to change.
• A strong commitment to and understanding of Abrazar’s goals and objectives.
• The flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, guide, and mentor a team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, nonprofits, and property owners.
• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping, with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and accuracy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 3-5 years of experience in housing navigation, homelessness services, or related fields as a housing specialist, housing navigator, case manager, or an equivalent role, preferably in Orange County.
• Have extensive housing navigation experience working as a housing specialist or an equivalent role in Orange County. 
• Have experience assisting clients with applying for benefits (such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKs) and/or navigating the healthcare system and health insurance.  
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Crisis Intervention, De-Escalation, Domestic Violence, Substance Use, Suicide Prevention, or other related training.
• Experience and expertise in community outreach and engagement 
• Proven leadership experience with at least 2 years of supervisory or leadership responsibility, managing teams or projects within a nonprofit, government, or social service setting.
• At least 1 year of experience in case management working with vulnerable populations, particularly those with health, mental health, and substance use issues or one (1) year of experience in healthcare, case management, and/or homeless services.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)—knowledge of and experience with Efforts to Outcomes software a bonus. 
• Intermediate to advanced level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Some knowledge of available programs and services in Orange County.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, urban planning, public administration, public health, human services, or a related field. Equivalent experience in housing services may be considered.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in housing navigation, homelessness services, or related fields as a housing specialist, housing navigator, case manager, or an equivalent role, preferably in Orange County.
• Proven leadership experience with at least 1 year of supervisory or leadership responsibility, managing teams or projects within a nonprofit, government, or social service setting.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing housing programs, preferably within a nonprofit, government, or social setting.
• Experience with staff training and development, including creating and delivering training.
• Familiarity with the Orange County Coordinated Entry System (CES).
• Demonstrated proficiency with computers and technology used for work outputs, particularly with Microsoft Office Suite and data management systems
• Spanish bilingual (Spanish & English) or Vietnamese bilingual (Vietnamese & English).
• Availability to work on occasional Saturdays.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Regardless of qualifications, candidates must:

• Have employment eligibility verification
• Have or be able and willing to obtain CPR/First Aid training
• Successfully complete the following as a condition of hire:
  1. Tuberculosis Test
  2. Background Screening
  3. Drug Test

DRIVING
Driving is an essential function of this position. To meet the employment requirements for this role, all candidates must:

• Have reliable transportation
• A valid driver's license
• Proof of insurance and ownership for personal vehicles used during work duties
• The ability to qualify for Abrazar’s insurance coverage

  PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS AND CONDITIONS:

• Must possess body mobility to stand and/or sit frequently or for an extended period of time at meetings, trainings, conferences or community events in office or offsite community locations
• Must be able to function effectively in a standard office environment and have the ability to move about to perform daily office tasks such as access files cabinets and office machinery
• Must be able to communicate information accurately, clearly and concisely in normal vocal tone
• Must be able to transport laptop,