DCFS and Probation System Liaison | SPA 5

WHAT YOULL DO:

• Utilize culturally-relevant active listening and motivational interviewing skills with system-involved youth to identify possible supports in their network that can assist them with temporary or permanent housing outside of the YCES.
• Liaise with and provide technical assistance to DCFS regional office staff including childrens social workers (CSW) for youth exiting or exited from DCFS.
• Liaise with, and provide technical assistance to, Probation Camp staff and field deputy probation officers for youth exiting or exited from DCFS.
• Participate in Discharge/Transition planning meetings and related services for youth and young adults exiting Foster Care and/or Probation Camps.
• Identify safety or health issues that may need to be considered during identification of housing.
• Provide mediation between households and property owners/family/friends to assist in resolving housing crisis.
• Deliver both field- and place-based supportive services, as appropriate, to participants
• Acquire resources and make successful referrals, including follow-up to ensure the participant successfully accesses and initially retains housing.
• Ensure services are documented (e.g. face to face, phone and collateral contacts) in the LA CoC homeless management information system (HMIS) in a timely and thorough manner.
• Assist in budgeting with participants, and determine what level of minimal assistance is necessary to be successfully housed or have the housing crisis resolved.
• Facilitate access to YCES for participants, as appropriate, including the completion of the Initial Triage and Initial Assessment phases of system access and assessment.
• For participants gaining entry into YCES, provide a warm handoff to sustained case management services where possible, or provide initial case management for up to 60 days upon the participant gaining YCES access.
• Deliver services based on participant strengths.
• Attend trainings and participate in regular technical assistance such as learning collaboratives.
• Adhere to LAHSA Interim Guidance as pertaining to job responsibilities
• Additional ad-hoc tasks as required
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

Requirements:

WHAT YOULL NEED:

• Bachelor's degree in sociology or relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience as a case manager and providing services to the homeless populations
• 13 years experience working with youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Strong commitment to social justice and practice actualizing these values in a working environment.
• Knowledge and experience working with co-occurring populations (chronic health conditions, mental health and substance use).
• Knowledge and experience with motivational interviewing, evidence-based practices, and trauma-informed care, housing first principles and harm reduction.
• Strong understanding of homeless services including CES and HMIS database.
• Strong understanding of LA County foster care and juvenile justice systems, including foster care placement options, participant rights and eligibility, and discharge planning processes.
• Strong belief in growth mindset, self-determination, and psychological resilience
• Compliance with information and security policy and procedures
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus
• Must have valid CA Drivers License and a clean driving record

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.