Intake & Participant Engagement 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.

Summary

The Intake and Participant Engagement Coordinator (IPC) serves as the point of contact for determining program eligibility, conducting intake meetings with participants seeking interim housing and making referrals as appropriate.  The IPC serves as the initial point of contact for all participants seeking shelter services at UBH. The IPC works directly and in a collaborative manner with the Coordinated Entry System (CES) including the Family Solutions Centers within Los Angeles County.  The IPC also ensures that participants receive life skills that help them build competencies which allow them to live independently.  It is the IPC’s responsibility to source out, arrange or facilitate activities that promote participant’s well-being and build their capacity and independence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

INTAKE 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for outside program partners including CES, FSC, County Departments, and other appropriate partners.
• Responsible for interfacing with CES/FSC partners in assessing and enrolling participants in interim housing programs.
• Answer general questions (calls or online inquiries) about entry criteria and UBH’s program requirements in a timely, courteous, intelligible and accurate manner.
• Monitor UBH’s referral portal and process all received referrals within stated policy timelines.
• Perform screening and assessment for participant eligibility.
• Assist participants with obtaining all necessary documentation needed to be enrolled in UBH programs.
• Create participant files with all pertinent initial documents collected during the intake process.
• Create participant profile in HMIS upon enrollment into a program.
• Complete intake, assessment, and referrals in coordination with participant in compliance with contractual standards, established policies and procedures and UBH guidelines.
•  Maintain participant entry data for intakes and discharges as well as other participant information as needed for program reporting.
• Conduct move-in activities for all participants upon enrollment, includes verifying unit readiness and providing individual or group program orientation for participants.
• Effectively communicate with Case Managers in order to ensure a “warm hand off” of participants after enrollment in the appropriate program.
• Work with Case Managers to monitor daily occupancy; generate and submit weekly occupancy reports to Program Management.
• Work with Program Management to update eligibility in UBH programs as appropriate.
• Stay abreast of Continuum of Care eligibility requirements, communicate program guidelines to participants, staff as well as community partners.
• Assist in reviewing and updating intake and selection policies as directed by Program Management.
• Participate in Coordinated Entry System meetings and trainings.

PARTICPANT ENGAGEMENT

• Work with local community organizations and other stakeholders to develop life skill programming that includes, but is not limited to: financial literacy, employment skills, hygiene, health, food literacy, drug awareness, mental wellness, educational planning, tenant’s rights, first aid, youth leadership, relationship building, self-esteem, networking skills, arts and
• Continually develop a roster of events, in collaboration with participants, that will engage and attract their participation.
• Identify and build opportunities and spaces for youth participants to build their own programming and social networks at UBH.
• Raise awareness of UBH programs and build collaboration
• Coordinate regular participant events for residential programs to encourage community
• Work with Case Managers and Resident Monitors to encourage resident participation in life skills programming and coordinate activities at all Interim program
• Work with program team members to develop weekly meetings with participants at all sites; steer life skills program according to the needs of participants; adjust programming according to current participant capacities and
• Facilitate house meetings in conjunction with program team members.
• On occasion as directed by the Director of Programs, support the programs team when the need
• Maintain a weekly tracker of all participant activities provided.
• Provide Program Management with weekly reports on current
• Submit monthly reports including, but not limited to the number of sessions, attendance, activities and the various topics and themes that were
• Follow up, as needed, with community agencies to continue to build and grow program;
• Build and maintains professional and mutually beneficial relationships with partners.
• Participate in trainings and meetings as appropriate

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology or other related field.
• At least 2 years’ experience working with homeless
• Demonstrated knowledge and or experience with social services approaches including harm reduction strategies, trauma informed care, crisis intervention techniques and motivational
• Experience using a data management system, HMIS experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently and within a team environment and exercise mature
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Highly motivated self- starter with the ability to coordinate multiple projects/ tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure
• Experience working with a diverse population, with sensitivity to differences in culture, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, and physical and mental
• Ability to respond responsibly in emergency and crisis situations.
• Basic computer skills including used of Windows Office Suite programs.
• Knowledge of community
• Position requires travel primarily in Los Angeles County.
• Ability to work varied hours/days including evenings/weekends/holidays.
• Valid California driver’s license and proof of auto insurance.

RESPONSIBILITIES COMMON TO ALL AGENCY EMPLOYEES

• Maintain a safe work environment and confidentiality at all times.
• Be proactive, creative, and flexible in determining, evaluating, researching, and resolving issues.
• Organize and prioritize multiple activities to meet all external and internal deadlines.
• Maintain professional demeanor that reflects positively on the agency.
• Demonstrate respect and courtesy toward others.
• Able to thrive in a work environment emphasizing teamwork and collaboration.
• Respond in a timely manner in all aspects of communication.
• Work with average supervision.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Employment eligibility
• Current California driver’s license and State-required insurance and a driving record acceptable to the organization and/or its insurance
• Reliable
• Successful completion of background screening