Youth Advocate Job Hillsdale Michigan USA,Social Work

Position: Youth Housing Advocate
Location: Hillsdale

Job Details

Job Location:

Hillsdale Office - Hillsdale, MI 49242

Position Type:
Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Salary Range: $18.52 - $23.16 Hourly

The Youth Housing Advocate is responsible for working closely with low-income homeless youth (18-24 years old) in securing financial means to help them overcome their housing crisis while providing support services and referral guidance.

Responsibilities

The Housing Youth Advocate will be familiar with all aspects of the agency’s Youth Homeless Demonstration Program and related programs, including performance standards, program procedures and outcomes.

Coordinate services with the HARA, CES agencies, and Housing Agents in each county we serve.

Responsible for participant recruitment and enrollment in the programs.

Responsible for maintaining current and accurate records as required by the program and ensuring their confidentiality.

Demonstrate ability to establish a trusting relationship with participants of varying economic, cultural and functional levels.

Through observation, assessment skills and interviewing, identify and assess needs in program participants.

Develop housing plan to reduce risks and move participant to housing stability, including reducing emergency crisis, identifying life skills training, job training, general education, credit repair plan, etc.

Implement the housing plan for participants, integrating counseling, skills training, mentoring, financial literacy education, supportive services, referral and advocacy as needed by individual participants.

Provide and assist in organizing group education classes in the areas of life skills, financial management, and credit information that will assist agency participants in achieving self-sufficiency.

Document all client contacts and contacts on behalf of clients within case record, including follow‑up conferences and referrals to community agencies.

Assist program participants in completing other paperwork (public assistance forms, tax forms, training or job applications, loan or credit applications).

Plan and implement transition activities for participants prior to end of enrollment in program.

Make periodic home visits and in‑office visits as needed in Hillsdale, Branch, Cass and St Joseph Counties.

Maintain knowledge of community resources and procedures for accessing resources.

Calculate tenant subsidized rent payments in accordance with HUD regulations. Reexamine tenant rent payments at least annually, or more frequently as determined by the agency.

Negotiate leases for approved transitional housing and rapid rehousing units with Hillsdale, Branch, Cass and St Joseph Counties.

Complete inspections to ensure that rental units meet Housing Quality Standards or NSPIRE standards.

Make periodic visits with landlords as needed.

Prepare and execute agreements between individual landlords and the agency.

Ensure payments to landlords are made expeditiously and in accordance with agency Financial Policies and Procedures.

Track all payments to landlords.

Keep updated records in client tracking databases both internally and as required by the funders.

Be available for other job‑related tasks as requested by supervisor.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social work or human services related area.

Training:
As required for the program.

Certification/Licenses:
Must have a valid Michigan Driver’s License.

Work Experience:

Minimum of two (2) years case management experience. Extensive knowledge of resources for low‑income and homeless families. Experience working with homeless youth. Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for the position may be considered at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer.

Transportation:
Must have access to reliable transportation throughout the workday.

Basic Skills:

Must possess excellent written and oral skills, high degree of computer literacy, and knowledge of business procedures and efficient operation of business equipment.

Problem Solving, Decision-Making and Interpersonal

Skills:

Independent judgment to complete routine tasks. Establish and maintain positive relationships with people of all economic levels, cultures and capabilities. Ability to work effectively with diverse community groups and professional groups. Ability to present information and respond to questions from staff and general public by phone, in person, etc. in an articulate and professional manner. Demonstrate flexibility in approach to administration, program needs, and problem solving.

Promote teamwork; participate as a team member with other agency staff and as part of interagency teams.

Physical and Mental Capabilities:
Must be able to visit clients in their homes with frequent exposure to environmental hazards. Able to work effectively under a variety of stressful situations. Able to cope with changing focus to meet program needs.

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