Caseworker/Project YELLOW Door TH/RRH

Division/Department: Homeless Assistance Services
Location: Main Office, Kenosha, WI

About the role

The caseworker for Project YELLOW Door provides comprehensive supportive services to young adults 18-24 experiencing homelessness in scattered site living arrangements. Using a person-centered, trauma-informed approach to service delivery, the caseworker is responsible for assessing need, developing and working with a housing stability plan, and applying individualized interventions to assist young adults achieve their self-defined goals.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the program admission process and established goals, which includes:
  • Reviewing the Coordinated Entry Assessment and TAY-SPDAT in Wi Homelessness Management Information System
  • Providing participants with a program orientation at intake meeting
  • Acquiring necessary releases of information to gather background information and share information for the required collaboration of services and mainstream resources
  • Obtaining third party verification of homelessness that determines eligibility for the program and may include documentation of a disability from a qualified licensed professional
  • Understanding and assisting with the management of program and system performance measures
  • Participating in the bi-annual Point-in-Time Event
  • Collaborating with Emergency Shelters, Homeless Outreach Workers and other service providers working with homeless individuals and families
• Provide case management services to program participants on a regular and consistent basis as determined by the individual’s service plan. Case management includes the following:
  • Assess, plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate the overall service delivered to the participant
  • Assist clients obtain safe secure living arrangements by teaching apartment searching skills
  • Assist clients move in and out of apartments/houses
  • Help participants learn to live in housing, maintain their housing in a safe manner, maintain positive rapport with neighbors and the landlord
  • Create a comprehensive Housing and Employment Stability Plan with the participant and provide appropriate interventions to assist with goal achievement
  • Learn and Implement concepts of Positive Youth Development
  • Help participants create support systems and participate in the community, as they desire
  • Provide individualized budgeting and money management skills to program participants as needed
  • Teach basic, intermediate and advanced social skills based on need
• Collaborate with Landlords and Other Community Service Providers
• Coordinate opportunities for educational advancement, such as GED preparation and attainment, post-secondary training, and vocational education
• Assist with job preparation and attainment, such as career counseling, job preparation training, dress and grooming, job placement and job maintenance
• Provide assistance in accessing mainstream benefits, including food stamps, childcare assistance, and health insurance
• Assist participant access Mental Health, AODA and Medical services as needed
• Provide assistance with ensuring participants have access to food and clothing
• Provide transportation and assist in developing transportation skills
• Develop and run weekly Life Skills Groups
• Work with the participant to establish a discharge plan six months prior to program exit and work with that participant intensively to ensure exit to self-sufficiency and housing stability
• Ensure documentation is complete and accurate
• Use Client Tracking System to document client contacts and progress
• Complete data entry and data clean up in HMIS as required
• Complete check request and upload housing documents on a monthly basis and submit on time
• Complete and maintain client files and ensure the information matches the data entered in HMIS
• Complete and file discharge plans appropriately
• Meet with supervisors to review program, paperwork and case management issues
• Understand cultural diversity and show respect/sensitivity for others’ values and culture
• Promote a harassment-free environment

Relationship Development

• Is responsible for creating a positive, relaxed and supportive environment
• Actively engages clients in amicable conversation, shares in activities and responds to needs/requests in a timely manner
• Accepts and respects the client’s circumstances, asks about feelings and interests; validates feelings with empathy, offers encouragement; celebrates accomplishments

Effective Teaching

• Promotes a strength-based approach to teaching functional skills
• Teaching interactions include positive, supportive quality components (i.e. voice tone, enthusiasm, appropriate physical proximity, and eye contact)
• Skills, routines, and program expectations are preventively taught, specific praise is given to reinforce positive behavior, constructive feedback teaches a replacement skill; safe, planned de-escalation techniques are used in response to aggressive/challenging behavior
• Perceives and responds directly to teaching and problem-solving opportunities
• Teaching components include praise, empathy, specific skills and behavioral descriptions, and goal-centered rationales

Treatment Planning

• Identifies the treatment needs of the client and collaborates on an agreed upon plan to achieve their goals
• Assesses the client’s strengths and challenges, develops a realistic plan along with the client
• Provides services and collaborates with community resources
• Identifies and teaches treatment-specific skills that support the client’s success

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in a human service-related field and/or experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness and/or other issues that put individuals at risk of housing instability
• Ability to effectively communicate, both written and verbally, in the English language
• Must have reliable transportation and valid driver’s license with good driving record
• Must carry own auto insurance with at least 100,000/300,000/100,000 coverage
• Ability to maintain records and document case notes daily
• Ability to give and accept feedback as a part of a team
• Ability to traverse within the workspace and community frequently
• Be willing to learn and work with the treatment philosophies
• Bilingual in Spanish a plus
• People with lived experience of homelessness strongly encouraged to apply

Pay

$21.63 - $22.60 per hour

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week or as demanded by the job