Housing Specialist (Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm)

Mental Health Connecticut Inc; Connecticut; On-site; USD 48,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental (cost share 90/10)

Voluntary Vision

Company paid Life and LTD

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

403(b) Retirement Plan with company-m

Generous paid time off (holidays, sick

Wellness days

Job summary

Mental Health Connecticut Inc (MHC) is seeking a Housing Specialist for the Torrington area. The role focuses on case management and direct services to individuals at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness, with a goal of securing housing and stability.

The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and a Monday–Friday schedule with some flexibility. A valid driver’s license is required for local state travel and outreach activities.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field and/or Recovery Support Specialist preferred.
• Substance Abuse certification preferred.
• Case Management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intakes, assessments, homeless verifications, income verifications, and provide direct service and case management to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and other co-occurring conditions.
• Create a recovery plan based on program served, assessments and acuity level of participant.
• Orient participants to the program and encourage continued participation.
• Assist with apartment search, leasing opportunities, and review lease/subsidy policies.
• Input participant data into databases per program guidelines.
• Engage participants in recovery-oriented activities and organize psycho-educational groups.
• Identify and refer individuals to community supports and resources.

Skills

Intake & assessments

Case management

Advocacy & outreach

Safety and risk assessment

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field (preferred)

Job description

Description

Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) is a statewide not for profit provider agency that partners with individuals, their families, and the surrounding communities to create environments that support long-term health and wellness.

MHC has an immediate full-time opening (Monday - Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with flexibility as needed) for a Housing Specialist within the Torrington area. The Housing Specialist with work with participants in the program with case management services relating to housing needs to those either at risk of or experiencing actual homelessness.

Salary: $24.00 per hour. MHC offers a competitive benefit package which includes:

• Medical and Dental (Cost share split 90/10 for employee only and 80/20 for employee + dependents)
• Voluntary Vision
• Company paid Life and Long Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403(b) Retirement Plan (company match is dollar for every dollar contributed, up to 6%)
• Generous paid time off policy including 11 agency observed holidays, sick time, vacation time, and wellness days

Requirements

The Housing Specialist responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct intakes, assessments, homeless verifications, income verifications, and provide direct service and case management to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and other co-occurring conditions on a regular basis, including but not limited to at least one face-to-face interaction per month.
• Conduct home visits and safety assessments in line with individual program requirements.
• Create a recovery plan based on program served, assessments and acuity level of participant.
• Orient participants to the program and encourage and support participants in continued participation in the program.
• Connect individuals in need of services to appropriate services and resources such as 211 or CAN if that individual has not been connected to such services.
• Provide housing relocation and stabilization services to help people exit homelessness.
• Develop and cultivate formal relationships with all program participants and property owners in order to provide advocacy on behalf of program participants. Aid in research of subsidized housing, voucher opportunities and other grant opportunities available to help individuals or families secure funding for housing.
• Assist in the apartment search and or leasing opportunities as individuals/families secure housing. Once housing is secured, review lease conditions/subsidy policies with participant and assist/support in following said conditions/policies.
• Input individual data into databases as required based on programmatic protocols and guidelines.
• Engage participants in recovery-oriented activities such as clinical support, peer support, social support, etc. Organize and facilitate psycho-educational groups as needed.
• Identify and refer individuals to appropriate community supports and resources while advocating for and supporting individual centered preferences.
• Conduct outreach providing psychological first aid, stress management support, resource linkage, and connection to literature about additional resources.
• Support individuals in securing reliable means of contact, including free cell phone programs, or outreach to vulnerable and or non-contactable populations when needed.
• Assist with getting participant connected/referred to employment services.
• Willing and able to drive a personal vehicle locally and within the state. May be required to transport individuals in personal vehicle.
• Operate in a harm reduction approach.

Experience/Education:

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in social science or related field and/or Recovery Support Specialist preferred.
• Substance Abuse certification preferred.
• Case Management experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Valid driver's license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance.

Mental Health Connecticut is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V

No Phone Calls Please