Young Adult Housing Specialist; Access Center

The Access Center (AC) Housing Specialist works at the Youth and Young Adult (YYA) Access Center providing coaching and facilitation to transitional age individuals (YYA) in meeting their life goals. The Housing Specialist works closely with YYAs to identify housing needs and preferences, facilitate access to housing, and maintain housing success. The specialist develops and maintains relationships with local property and housing authorities and consults with the AC team on housing matters.

The AC Housing Specialist staffs the AC and associated YYA activities as needed.

• Maintain a maximum caseload of 45-50 youth and young adults.
• Participate in the assessment of youth homelessness and identify required support.
• Engage with housing court staff, probation officers, juvenile court judges, school staff, police, community-based family agencies, health and behavioral health facilities, after-school programs, neighborhood associations, and local housing and health/human services providers.
• Promote parent involvement and other key players in planning services and supports; engage in family mediation and reunification efforts when in the YYA’s best interest.
• Connect YYA to appropriate services, systems, and social supports, including counseling, medical and behavioral health care, education and employment assistance, advocacy, independent living skills training, and basic needs.
• Perform triage, assessment, and case management to evaluate service needs, implement a housing plan, and develop a plan for housing stability.
• Facilitate kinship home placements, connect to emergency shelters or short‑term housing, or assist with transition to independent living programs.
• Provide referrals to external service providers such as health, behavioral health, substance abuse, employment and job training, education, parenting resources, domestic‑violence services, life‑skill and financial literacy resources, legal, language, cultural, and recreation services.
• Coordinate with local shelters and transitional service providers to streamline placements of unaccompanied homeless youth and increase service utilization.
• Provide consultation and training to YYAs and staff in permanent housing services, systems, and requirements.
• Deliver evidence‑informed practices as supported by the AC and demonstrate competency in required modalities.
• Staff activities sponsored by the AC to support all YYA and staff as needed.
• Collect and record data relevant to YYA progress across goals during active, maintenance, and follow‑along stages.
• Chart and record all contacts and services rendered in accordance with VINFEN standards and applicable funding or regulatory agency standards; maintain transition records.
• Assume responsibility for the implementation of strategies to help YYA overcome obstacles and collaborate with public and private agencies to achieve agreed‐upon strategies.
• Collaborate with other service practitioners and educators from children’s mental health, education, adult mental health, child welfare, and rehabilitation to ensure suitable services.
• Interface with adult mental‑health case managers to ensure continuity of age‐appropriate services for those approaching 18.
• Help YYA identify obstacles to independent living, employment, post‐secondary education, and supportive social and recreational activities, and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Develop inter‐agency and community network relationships that improve access to community services.
• Refer YYA to appropriate clinical, medical, and behavioral specialists in partnership with AC staff.
• Provide transportation to clients, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Manage program resources in accordance with agency regulations.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, and gender identity issues.
• Understand engagement strategies effective with YYA.
• Know community resources for YYAs experiencing first‐time emotional distress (FEP).
• Have knowledge and use of advocacy techniques.
• Use different communication styles.
• Understand recovery‐oriented, person‐centered, and strengths‐based values and modalities.
• Establish supportive, trusting…