Housing Navigator Case Manager

Position Description

Department History Overview

Harris County Resources for Children and Adults was founded in 1966 as the Harris County Child Welfare Board to provide support services for children taken under the wing of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Fifty years later, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults still provides this support. But the now-county department has expanded services for early prevention, intervention, and adult services.

Vision:

To better the lives of children and adults in Harris County.

Brief

Position Overview:

Under the supervision of the Housing Campus Supervisor, the Housing Navigator Case Manager is responsible for assisting youth formerly in foster care through the HAY Center Housing Continuum with the goal of the youth becoming stably housed and avoiding homelessness.

Duties & Responsibilities:

* Completes housing assessments with youth to identify appropriate permanent housing options for youth, including emergency housing, subsidized housing, permanent supportive housing, affordable and market-rate housing, and other housing opportunities.

* Provides navigation services designed to assist youth in obtaining housing stability. This includes obtaining required documents, attending housing briefings and navigating them through the steps needed for housing readiness.

* Assists clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, surveys the rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for youth with prospective landlords and attends apartment tours with youth to support housing selection.

* Completes required case documentation in a case management database system and maintains case files for assigned cases to ensure that all information regarding the youth's housing plan is current and updates are available to The HAY Center team.

* Attends and participates in wraparound meetings to provide status updates on the youth's housing goals/plan and works in coordination with the youth and other HAY Center program representatives on action items to ensure the youth continues to progress on their goals including housing.

* Attends and participates in life skills training class - Housing and Transportation to review housing readiness with youth in care.

* Attends and participate in HAY Center and PAL events as needed.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Requirements

Education:

* Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Social or Human Services or closely related field.

Experience:

* Minimum two (2) years full-time paid work experience working with youth transitioning from child serving to adult serving system or transition age youth (TAY)

* Experience in working with housing providers including HUD and privately funded housing options.

* Training and experience using a personal computer with a variety of software, including Microsoft Office.

Licensure:

* Reliable transportation with a valid driver's license (Texas) and auto liability insurance.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

* Knowledge of appropriate housing options available to current and former foster youth.

* Knowledge of physical and behavioral health diagnoses and medications.

* Skill in self-discipline, dependable, and ability to work independently.

* Must possess good assessment and intervention skills.

* Must have a strong understanding of the Transition to Independence (TIP) model and have the ability to engage others in this practice.

* Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize multiple tasks and demands to accomplish outcomes.

* Skill in empathizing, valuing, and dealing successfully with the special capabilities, distinctive cultural histories, and unique needs of people of various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.

* Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.

* Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively, both orally and in writing.

* Ability to maintain confidential information.

* Ability to establish and maintain effective…