DV Housing Specialist

Position: DV Housing Specialist

Classification: Non-Exempt

Supervised by: Program Manager

Supervises: N/A

Home Start's vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Guided by our mission to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities, Home Start, Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention, and treatment agency has strengthened and developed San Diego's families and communities since 1972.

Home Start, Inc. operates programs designed to prevent homelessness, interrupt the cycle of homelessness, and promote self-sufficiency. With rising rates of homelessness in San Diego exacerbated by the pandemic, our programs are designed to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Job Summary:

The Domestic Violence (DV) Housing Specialist provides services and housing stability for survivors of domestic violence. The DV Housing Specialist work collaboratively to help clients navigate the legal system and access support services. The DV Housing Specialist is integral in connecting clients to housing resources and securing safe housing. After a client is enrolled and assessed, staff determine and provide the needed level of financial assistance to obtain safe housing or address any other urgent needs. This position also provides referrals, conducts safety plans, and assists with other service connections. This position is part of an interdisciplinary team providing innovative services using best practices including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing, and client-centered strength-based case management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides support services for survivors of domestic violence that are selfreferred or referred by partner agencies.
• Completes a thorough assessment of all participants to determine barriers, resource needs, and other factors related to case planning.
• Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, risk assessment, and safety planning.
• Assists with legal system navigation, obtaining emergency protection orders, securing victim compensation, accessing a wide range of community resources, and linkage to safe and stable housing.
• Work to effectively meet clients' needs and address barriers through followup, advocacy, and collaboration with partner agencies and other community service providers.
• Assist clients in developing a housing stability plan, identifying housing options, and providing financial assistance for secure safe housing or other immediate needs.
• Negotiates lease terms, utility deposits, security deposits, and movein fees.
• Assists with the movein process, helps participants obtain household items, and provides other support to help clients maintain their independent living.
• Maintains confidential client services data, generates reports, updates case notes, collects backup documentation for financial assistance, logs services, and submits required reports to funders.
• Participates in the DV council, collaborative meetings, and training sponsored by partners to maximize knowledge of and access to a range of victim services.
• Participate in individual supervision, team meetings, agency meetings, and training.
• Utilize various best practices for service delivery such as TraumaInformed Care.
• Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention, and clientcentered strengthsbased case management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, education and/or related human services field required.
• Extensive knowledge or experience working with victims of crime.
• Knowledge of family systems, community resources, substance abuse treatment and interventions required.
• Must submit to a background check via Live Scan (with ongoing alerts), as required by specific programs, funding requirements and licensing regulations.
• Must have a valid driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Must demonstrate ability to be culturally sensitive and respect diversity.
• Ability to work in a fastpaced environment with exceptional problemsolving skills.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Physical Demands:

• Reading and typing on a computer frequently.
• Sitting for long periods of time at required meetings or in supervision.
• Daily traveling in car to meet with clients and attend agency and community meetings.

Work Environment:

• Office space may be shared with frequent telephone and visitor contacts.
• The noise level fluctuates from quiet to noisy.
• Frequent travel to meet with clients and landlords.
• May work occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Home Start, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in the hiring of personnel because of gender, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or gender expression, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

About HOME START INCORPORATED

Guided by our mission to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities, Home Start, Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention and treatment agency, has strengthened and developed San Diego's families, communities, and systems of care since 1972. To effectively prevent and treat child abuse, Home Start addresses the conditions that can contribute to risky or abusive situations – poverty, unsafe neighborhoods, lack of affordable housing, and unemployment – while concurrently addressing individual self-sufficiency and emotional needs.

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