Housing Support Specialist III

Housing Support Specialist III

Program

Description:

The Region 4 Discharge Assistance Program (DAP) supports the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services' (DBHDS) commitment to person-centered and recovery-based care. It is supported by state mental health funds allocated to each DBHDS region to implement community capacity and/or individualized services and supports that enable adults receiving services in state hospitals to live in the community. Additionally, DAP offers a flexible approach for responding to discharge barriers from state hospitals once an individual has been determined to be clinically ready for discharge, thereby enabling individuals to transition from state hospitals to communities where they can recover in the least restrictive and most integrated setting possible.

DAP is a payor of last resort, which means exploration of all other income/funding sources is required prior to submitting a request for funds.

Job Summary:

Coordinate regional housing programs and lead strategic housing initiatives across multiple jurisdictions. Responsibilities include managing discharge assistance plans, facilitating regional housing meetings, providing training and technical support, and ensuring compliance with housing regulations and funding requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The essential duties and primary responsibilities below are intended to describe the general requirements of this job and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide quality review of all regional Discharge Assistance Plan (DAP) requests submitted to the regional office
• Facilitate quarterly DAP scrub meetings to ensure plans meet expectations outlined in the Discharge Assistance Manual
• Complete monthly one-time DAP reports to monitor benefit acquisition efficiency
• Serve as primary point of contact for DAP submissions and oversee use of the DAP residential rate tool
• Lead bi-monthly regional liaison meetings and provide training and support on identified topics
• Collaborate with hospital liaisons and regional partners to address problematic discharges and support community placements
• Collect and analyze data related to housing outcomes and program performance

Position Requirements

- Minimum Qualifications —

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field; 3–5 years of experience in housing coordination or behavioral health services; QMHP, QSAP, or QIDP status upon hire OR an equivalent combination of education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that demonstrates the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position, as permitted by applicable regulatory standards. Possession of a valid Virginia driver's license and a satisfactory driving record in accordance with agency policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with regional housing programs and discharge planning;
Familiarity with Virginia housing regulations and funding mechanisms;
Training in trauma-informed care and systems-level coordination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of Virginia housing regulations and individual/landlord rights;
Knowledge of discharge planning, housing coordination, and benefit acquisition processes;
Skill in teaching, training, and mentoring others;
Skill in identifying complex problems and implementing solutions;
Skill in managing time, documentation, and program logistics;
Ability to synthesize and organize information for decision-making;
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and speech;
Ability to learn and retain processes through instruction and apply them independently;
Ability to identify potential problems or detect when something may be likely to go wrong.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not supervise or function in a lead worker capacity.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
This role, generally performs work under the following conditions:
Light Work:
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects, including the human body. This role requires regular movement throughout the workday, including walking, stair climbing, and driving to community-based locations. Employees must be physically capable of navigating varied environments such as residential facilities, urban areas, and client homes.

Close concentration, visual attention and need for manual dexterity…