Diversion Specialist

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army North & Central Illinois Division in Madison, WI seeks a Housing Services Case Manager to engage directly with families experiencing homelessness, conducting needs assessments and developing individualized service plans.

You will coordinate shelter diversion, financial assistance, and referrals, track outcomes, and advocate for clients while partnering with landlords and community agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
• Three years social work experience. Management experience helpful.

Responsibilities

• Engages directly with families to assess housing needs and develop individualized service plans.
• Accesses and coordinates services and financial assistance to resolve housing crises.
• Collects and tracks service utilization data and outcomes.
• Provides referrals and follow-up support to families experiencing homelessness.
• Acts as liaison between families, landlords, and community agencies.

Skills

Social work

Communication

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor's in social work or related field

Job description

Job Objective

Engages directly with families seeking homeless and housing services, to provide shelter diversion services aimed to quickly house families who are experiencing homelessness to avoid the need to enter emergency shelter. Works individually with families to identify solutions and alternative housing arrangements that quickly resolve the individuals housing crisis through a combination of direct service and financial assistance.

Job Objective

Engages directly with families seeking homeless and housing services, to provide shelter diversion services aimed to quickly house families who are experiencing homelessness to avoid the need to enter emergency shelter. Works individually with families to identify solutions and alternative housing arrangements that quickly resolve the individuals housing crisis through a combination of direct service and financial assistance.

Essential Functions

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of the position. Other job related responsibilities and tasks may be assigned. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Conducts initial screening to assess appropriate service suggestions and facilitates setting appointments for referrals and/or services.
• Ensures the collection of required service utilization, demographic, and outcome data.
• Provides resource referral and follow-up assistance to families experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
• Assists families in advocating for their needs and accessing services and resources.
• Acts as a liaison between families support services, landlords, and involved community agencies and maintains ongoing communication with other providers as needed.
• Conducts a needs assessment with each family and works to create an individualized service plan based on identified goals.
• Reviews and actively monitors families in making progress toward meeting identified goals.
• Assists families to creatively identify solutions and alternate housing arrangements that quickly resolves their housing crisis.
• Assess the financial situation of families and their need for supportive services such as employment assistance, budgeting, and/or credit repair.
• Provides support for families as necessary to secure safe and stable housing, providing financial assistance where necessary.
• Documents and tracks all financial assistance, including completed requests for client assistance.
• Maintains accurate and timely statistics and documentation to meet program goals and contractual requirements.
• Networks with other service providers.
• Maintains positive working relationships with service providers, clients and fellow employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's in social work, human services, psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.

Experience: Three years social work experience. Management experience helpful.

Certifications: Valid Driver's license with approval to drive from The Salvation Army's insurance.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.