Family Resource Specialist, Family Pathways

About the role

The Resource Specialist assists with the development of individual success plans for each family, provides referrals to other community services/resources, and serves as a liaison with outside entities to advocate for the needs of the family. The Resource Specialist works with each family to identify a community rental unit and negotiates the lease and payment process with each landlord. The Resource Specialist also works closely with homelessness liaisons from school districts to ensure that federal education regulations regarding children that are homeless are followed.

The successful candidate will be a compassionate service professional, who is deeply motivated by helping families and children achieve sustainability through the attainment of their goals, is adaptable to change and able to work at a faster-than-average pace, and is thorough, structured, and detail-oriented.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by leadership):

• Provide direct Resource Specialist services to families in the Family Pathways program including:
• Screening of potential participants and orienting new families to the program.
• At participant entry, complete intake paperwork, administer housing assessments, create and continuously maintain accurate HMIS/Service Point electronic records for all participants, tracking and ensuring data is entered within 24 hours of each participant-related contact or activity.
• Ensure all intakes of participants are entered in Shelterpoint within 1 hour
• Establish a file for each participant in programs, ensuring proper documentation at intake as required by Primavera guidelines and outside funding sources.
• Create family success plans and meet with participants on a weekly basis, monitoring progress and completing referrals to community partners.
• Coaching and guiding families, providing life skills resources, and ensuring follow through on referrals, and advocating for families as appropriate.
• Coordinate with Primavera programs and other community permanent housing providers to assist families with stable housing.
• Maintain contact with school homelessness liaisons/coordinators, ensuring the needs of the children are met, including transportation
• Arrange for short-term motel stays as needed for families in immediate housing crisis.
• Provide referrals, information, and guidance to families for housing search.
• Negotiate the lease and all related activities with the landlord.
• Completing Habitability Standards inspection of units and finalizing follow-ups.
• Create the Temporary Occupancy Agreement for the adult participants, which is to include a copy of the lease signed by Primavera and the landlord.
• Purchase and ensure delivery of furniture as necessary depending on the needs of the family.
• Create individual success plans and meet with each participant at least monthly, monitoring progress and making referrals to ensure participant's success, and adjust as necessary.
• Develop, plan and teach job readiness, financial education and housing search skills to program participants.
• Ensure participant files and tracking are properly maintained and confidentiality requirements.
• Provide resources such as laundry services, household supplies, and other necessities.
• Complete periodic home visits and weekly check-ins to ensure a safe living environment for each family.
• Conduct post-shelter exit follow-ups and tracking.
• Maintain tracking information and statistical data as required internally and by grant funding sources.
• Sort, store and distribute donations received for Family Pathways families.
• Attend training and meetings as required, including but not limited to Resource Specialists, 1:1, employee meetings, and all employee meetings.
• Adherence to and demonstration of Primavera's guiding principles of integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and leadership.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to interact one-on-one with people of diverse backgrounds who may present challenging issues, substance abuse, and mental health issues.
• Knowledge of women's issues, people who are experiencing homelessness, and community resources and referrals for women.
• Ability to work effectively and communicate positively and professionally with diverse people including participants, volunteers, staff, local agencies and organizations.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships and boundaries.
• Ability to organize tasks and utilize time efficiently.
• Ability to assess and evaluate situations and respond professionally and safely.
• Ability to obtain food handler's certification.
• Ability to attend meetings and appointments at other locations in the community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Empathy, persuasiveness, good communication skills and orientation to enable others to succeed.
• High structure and detail-orientation, balanced with drive to accomplish timely results and ability to adapt to change.
• Working knowledge of emergency procedures, including fire evacuation, non-violent de-escalation techniques, or willingness to obtain provided by Primavera, conflict resolution, participant medical and behavioral concerns.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software, especially use of email and database programs.
• Ability to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Self-motivated with good organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in English/Spanish
• Bachelor's degree in a human service or related area.
• 2 years of case management experience working with people in a shelter setting or trauma-related work experience.
• Proficiency with computer systems and software, including database programs.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends as needed and be flexible to meet shelter needs.
• Ability to meet the above knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to work in an environment with minimal supervision, be dependable, and be flexible to meet program needs.
• Knowledge of relevant and applicable community resources.
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, and proof of current registration and insurance coverage to attend off-site meetings and travel between locations.
• First Aid and CPR certification, or ability to obtain both.
• Mental Health First Aid Certification, or ability to obtain
• Level 1 Fingerprint clearance card, or ability to obtain.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 4 years of experience working with people in a shelter setting or trauma-related work experience, or direct behavioral health services.
• Extensive Knowledge working with people experiencing addiction or mental health issues.
• Extensive Knowledge of community services and ability to coordinate with other providers.
• Knowledge of ServicePoint (HMIS) system to easily transition into position.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• Mixture of office and field work
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to work in a busy environment (both inside an office setting and outside with moderate noise levels and desert climate.
• Ability to work at desk work station and throughout community, standing, bending, stooping for several hours at a time, and ability to lift and carry up to 20 + pounds.
• Visual acuity to discern data and information and hand dexterity to enter information into computer systems.
• If driving a Primavera vehicle, must possess a valid Arizona driver's license and submit proof of a clean driving record.