ICTS HOUSING SPECIALIST

Job Description

Assists individuals involved in the ICTS program in acquiring and maintaining supportive and affordable housing to eliminate barriers to recovery and promote stabilized housing support. The Housing Specialist will actively work to pursue or advocate for expanding housing resources in the community while working closely with the Division of Behavioral Health's Housing Unit to access appropriate services. Work involves orienting all eligible participants to the ICTS program and providing housing search and supportive services to promote participants' self-sufficiency, integration into the community, and permanency in housing; performing administrative tasks involved in reviewing and maintaining a caseload of program participants. The principal duties are performed in a general office environment, the field, and the community where program participants reside.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

1. Engage individuals served and established trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward stabilized housing in community-based settings utilizing the “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
2. Utilize case management approach to identify client strengths and barriers to stability and assist participants in reducing barriers and linking to resources and services (make referrals to community resources to eliminate outstanding utilities, lack of transportation, etc.). This shall include intake interviews to determine the client’s needs, goals, and eligibility.
3. Assist the participant in accessing support they may need to maintain housing. That assistance may include but is not limited to connecting with a service provider for health care, budgeting, legal issues, or another service (i.e., providing education on how to be a good tenant).
4. Provide proactive follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem-solving, and identifying resources to assist with the reintegration of participants in the community.
5. Work in an interdisciplinary team setting to ensure the client’s housing needs are met so they may focus on their mental health and substance use recovery, transportation, and employment needs.
6. Assist client with making housing provider(s) contacts, helping the tenant to schedule an appointment, ensuring that the tenant gets to the appointment, or other activities that assure a “warm hand-off” and connection with that housing provider.
7. Provide a list of landlords that would likely fit the participant’s needs and assist in completing any paperwork necessary to secure a unit.
8. Model how to locate units using websites and other community resources, and model how to communicate with potential landlords, coaching patients on how to request viewing appointments, asking questions, etc.
9. Provide and/or secure transportation to and from unit viewing appointments.
10. Help mediate issues between landlords and tenants to prevent vacancy notices and/or evictions.
11. Continue building relationships with existing landlords and seek out new landlord relationships. (Contact landlords to inquire about available units and ask for referrals to other landlords in the area.)
12. Spend 65% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as workplaces and coffee shops, meets with potential housing providers/landlords, libraries, family homes, etc., or takes clients to view housing options, etc.
13. Build relationships and be familiar with housing resources and services provided by NARR-accredited transitional housing providers, Public Housing Authority, Continuum of Care, Homeless Programs, multi-family housing properties, and low-income housing.
14. Complete monthly ICTS reports.
15. Follow agency policies and procedures including ethical conduct. Maintain professional boundaries with consumers, staff, and other stakeholders.
16. Complete other assigned duties.

SUPERVISED BY:

Director of Outreach Services

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

None

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must possess a valid driver’s license and remain insurable, under the Gibson Center for Behavioral Change automobile liability insurance. Must be able to pass a background check or request an exception to the findings. Must have good communication skills, basic computer abilities, and knowledge of community resources.

Education and experience equivalent to an associate degree with earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Counseling, Nursing, Public Health, Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, Health Care Administration, Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field; and Professional experience in

supported employment, mental health, public health, environmental health, education, social services, adult corrections, probation and parole, public administration, business administration, or a closely related area.

Or

A Certified Peer Specialist qualified to work in the Missouri Department of Mental Health system, and Professional experience in supported employment, mental health, public health, environmental health, education, social services, adult corrections, probation and parole, public administration, business administration, or a closely related area.