Simpson Housing Services Job Description

Position: Education Support Advocate – Family Roots Alliance
Direct Reports: none
Salary Range: Beginning in high 20s. Commensurate with experience.

Summary
Provide school and home-based advocacy and case management services to youth in order to improve the quality of their individual lives, family functioning, coping and life skills, and school success.

This position is part of the Family Roots Alliance, which is a collaboration between Simpson Housing Services and Lutheran Social Service. The goals of the team are to provide stable housing and effective support services to long-term homeless families.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

Provide case management services to children

• Meet one-on-one with youth on a weekly basis, in the school and home setting.
• Provide support, develop case plans, provide information on community resources and make referrals as necessary.
• Assist and support youth in developing goals.
• Coordinate and participate in regularly-scheduled youth activities.
• Communicate with parents, provide school advocacy, serving as a liaison between the parents and school staff, establish relationships with relevant school staff.
• Participate in parent/teacher conferences, IEP meetings.
• Monitor attendance and grades.
• Transport youth as necessary.

Provide support and education to parents

• Provide parent resources and support related to the success of their child(ren) in school.
• Offer/provide support about healthy parenting tools.
• Assist in the development of family goals, parent/school communication, utilization of  family strength-based case management concepts.

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program

• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend weekly team meetings, other required meetings.
• Sort and distribute in-kind donations.
• Answer inquires into Simpson through answering the phone or greeting people at the door.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping in a timely manner

• Maintain case files on youth served, including case notes, resources provided, signed data privacy, intake and discharge summaries, Release of Information, attendance and grades
• Compile statistical reports for mid and year end school attendance
• Maintain accurate records including employee time sheets and  travel expenses
• Participate with funding reports, grant writing and site visits.
• Other duties as assigned.

Provide positive representation of Simpson through public relations and networking

• Interpret and promote the program to constituents, speak to community organizations or church groups.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, participants, and other stakeholders
• Network with providers of similar services
• Participate in professional meetings, workshops, and staff meetings.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities, skills

• Ability to work very well independently, with excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to be flexible and manage time.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model.
• Ability to communicate effectively, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others.
• Ability to work with individuals from very diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with guests, volunteers, staff and public. 

Scope of Position
Employee will manage an ongoing caseload of  25 – 40 youth.  Services will be provided in participant homes and in schools.

Participant populations may include those with chemical abuse issues, criminal histories (drug charges, prostitution, fraud, etc.), and/or parenting issues.

Employee must share in Housing Services philosophy:

• People who are homeless, who use drugs and who may live with a mental illness can successfully keep and maintain their housing.
• Housing is a right.  No one should be denied housing for any period of time because of failure in treatment or for failing to choose treatment.
• People should be met where they are at and offered housing immediately.
• Harm reduction strategies are a valid and preferred way to work with long-term homeless populations.
• Housing and services are two separate areas with separate criteria for operation and evaluation. Housing should never be used to coerce people into services they would otherwise not choose.
• Full community integration will be a primary goal.
• Consumers make their own choices.
• Recovery from mental illness is possible.

Employee may provide back up for other Simpson Education Support Advocates during periods of absence or during times of increased workloads.

Position Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in human service or equal experience in field is required.

Training in working with low-income families, diverse populations, and those who are homeless desired. Knowledge of mental health, chemical dependency, physical or sexual abuse is desired.

Driver’s License and car required.

Minimum of one year of experience in providing services to youth is required.

How to apply:
Mail or deliver cover letter and resume to:

ESA Search
Simpson Housing Services
2100 Pillsbury Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404

You may also fax to 612.879.0041.

No phone calls or emails please.

Diverse applicants encouraged to apply. Simpson is an EOE.

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