Crisis Intake & Housing Support Navigator

Housing Forward; Maywood (IL); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Housing Forward in Illinois seeks a Specialist to act as the front door to our crisis-response services. You will conduct in-person assessments at the support center to determine urgent housing and stabilization needs and connect clients with case management, referrals, and financial or employment assistance.

The role supports diversion and crisis intervention, with a commitment to compassionate service and collaboration with internal programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field.
• 2-5 years of experience working with individuals in crisis or homelessness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word; Excel) required.
• Proficiency with computers and VOIP phone systems.
• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication tools.

Responsibilities

• Perform initial screenings and assessments to determine appropriate crisis response.
• Provide case management, referrals, financial and employment assistance as needed.
• Maintain a small caseload and document interactions in HMIS/Salesforce.
• Coordinate with internal services and community resources to support housing stabilization.
• Complete progress notes within 48 hours of client contact.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Case management

Assessment skills

Data entry

Multitasking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

VOIP phone systems

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Specialist will serve as the “front door” to the agency’s homeless crisis- response. This position performs in-person assessments to individuals and families who walk into the agency support center to determine immediate housing and stabilization needs as they seek entry into the Suburban Cook County Homelessness System. The assessment helps determine Housing Forward’s response to the client crisis, including offering case management services, referrals, financial assistance, employment assistance and crisis intervention. The Case Management and Intake Specialist will also serve as back-up to the Diversion Specialist as needed.

Requirements

Clinical and Case Management Responsibilities

• Perform appropriate screenings and assessments upon first contact with client to determine appropriate response to their imminent housing displacement or unsheltered situation.
• Determine underlying issues and offer solutions to quickly resolve their financial and housing crisis, including but not limited to landlord mediation, interpersonal conflict resolution, financial assistance, referrals and short-term case management.
• Maintain a small caseload of clients that walk into the agency, when more than one session is needed to resolve crisis.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of referrals resources, including housing placement options, community resources, and budget and employment programs.
• Determine if other Housing Forward Services are appropriate and coordinate interventions with those programs

Diversion Responsibilities

• Provide information, resources and referrals to all walk-ins, even those outside of Housing Forward service area.
• Greet and screen walk-In clients
• Refer clients to HP if appropriate
• Refer client to appropriate Homeless Program if they are not divertible
• Emergency Overnight Shelter
• Street Outreach
• Families in Transition
• Interim Housing
• Locate alternative shelters outside of Housing Forward
• Triage and track all WCC referrals
• Track the number of shelter turnaways
• Provide diversion services for individuals and families seeking overnight emergency shelter
• Diversion counseling services explore safe and viable alternatives to entering the shelter system
• Assist clients who may have alternatives to entering the shelter system, navigate their alternatives
• Inform and coordinate services with area townships, targeting schools and other potential referring agencies
• Ensure a compassionate, confidential and safe environment that maintains client dignity
• Complete all required Coordinated Entry training
• Enter all assessments into the agency’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Salesforce Databases
• Complete all progress notes within 48 hours of contact with clients

Other:

• Attend staff meetings, supervisory meetings as required and other community meetings as assigned
• Represent the organization professionally at all times
• Maintain positive relations with clients, volunteers, co-workers, staff from other agencies, agency funders, and the general public
• Interact effectively with persons of diverse backgrounds and treat each individual with respect and dignity
• Demonstrate team behavior and promote a team-oriented environment.
• Participate in ongoing development and improvement of all program processes and relationships
• If requested, participate in relevant industry seminars, workshops and networking events. Read about industry best practices to help ensure programming is in line with industry standards

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field
• 2-5 years of experience working with individuals in crisis or individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word; Excel) required
• Proficiency with computers and VOIP phone systems
• Must have smartphone to utilize Agency communication and collaboration tools.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor for person in crisis
• Able to connect & create relationships with various community resources and stakeholders
• Ability to listen and perform data entry simultaneously
• Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Ability to problem-solve and make decisions in stressful situations
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and obtain information and resources without immediate guidance

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.? While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use stairs; reach with hands and arms balance, stoop, kneel or crouch.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability.

Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties, as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.