Service Coordinator Life Skills/Activities

REPORTS TO: VASH Program Manager

HOURS: 40

CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt

REQUISITION: 1764

SUMMARY: The Life Skills/Activities Coordinator will work on-site at permanent supportive housing projects and provide supportive services toward the goal of improving independent living skills and housing retention. This position will provide outreach and engagement, referral and linkage, supportive services and housing retention services to tenants housed in Step Up Permanent Supportive Housing Properties for Veterans. Step Up on Second fully implements the Housing First and Harm Reduction models of service delivery.

Benefits and What We Offer:

• Opportunities for growth and professional development.
• Generous paid time off (13 paid holidays, 10 days of EPTO, 12 sick days).
• Competitive salary and benefits package. Health, dental, vision, Aflac, and life insurance $25,000.00
• 403(b) retirement plan available on the first day of work. After working 1000 hours, Step Up matches 3% of the 6% the employee contributes.

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

Leadership, Administration, Oversight

• Maintain an active calendar of supportive services including at least one supportive group per day
• Organize group outings and recreational events that offer the opportunities to model appropriate behavior in the community and connect tenants to community resources
• Organize group outings that demonstrate use of public transportation and access to affordable and free activities in the community and throughout the City
• Participate in and ensure the Tenant Advisory Committee is actively meeting and engaging the needs of all tenants
• Coordinate care and interventions with the tenant's HUD VASH case manager and Property Management’s Resident Manager utilizing the Step Up philosophy and standards for services.
• Liaise with HUD VASH Mental Health providers to address tenant issues and formulate intervention strategies that focus on housing retention.  Attend regular team meetings and service coordination meetings
• Attend supervision and training as required.

Direct Service and Support

• Coordinate lease up activities with Resident Manager and HUD VASH case manager. Meet with applicants together and provide orientation that includes explanations of different roles and how to access services
• Develop an initial individualized service plan for each tenant which guides the services delivered and will be reviewed and updated every 6 months or sooner if a significant event occurs.
• Meet face-to-face with each tenant a minimum of once per week. More frequently if needed.
• Provide independent living skills training that includes a focus on life skills/activities such as:

money management, housekeeping, shopping, cooking, etc.

• Take a “hands-on” approach to modeling and supporting tenants’ growth in transitioning from being homeless to being housed. Address emotional issues as they relate to this transition and assist tenants in coping with these emotions.
• Actively participate with tenants to engage a Good Neighbor Policy of living responsibly both with tenants of the property and neighboring tenants/business owners in the community.
• Escort/accompany/transport tenants to appointments
• Participate/facilitate a safe return to the milieu upon discharge from acute care facilities
• Responsible for providing tenant-driven, on-site supportive services including: engagement, group scheduling, outings and activities, dispute mediation, ADLs, community integration services, resources and referral, and monitoring the milieu and tenant safety.
• Monitor for warning signs of de-compensation and crisis, and respond accordingly
• Provide transportation as needed to critical appointments with other providers Documentation and Data Collection
• Perform an intake on all tenants the first week of move-in.
• Responsible for tracking, charting and documentation for all services, file maintenance, daily logging. Process paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, as outlined in workflows
• Regularly assess and document changes in tenant income, housing needs, mental health needs, physical health needs and vocational needs
• Complete “Housing Status Change” form for all tenants moving into and out of units.

SKILLS: Experience working with homeless and chronically mentally-ill population, crisis intervention, understanding and commitment to Psychosocial/Recovery-Oriented philosophy, Strong computer skills, ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team. Familiarity with and dedication to the Housing First and Harm Reduction models required.

QUALIFICATIONS: (Education & Experience) A minimum of 2 years' experience working with the mentally ill population in a community or housed setting necessary. Ability to work as a part of a team is crucial. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential. Must have own transportation and current California driver’s license and insurance with good driving record

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and

Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community members.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER