CalAIM Housing Navigator

Job Title:

CalAIM Housing Navigator Location:

Fullerton, CA Position Type:

Full-Time Hourly, Non-Exempt Reports to:

CalAIM Program Supervisor Organization:

Pathways of Hope The Agency Since 1975, Pathways of Hope has led a community effort to provide access to food, shelter and housing to those in North Orange County experiencing hunger, housing insecurity and homelessness. We operate a community access point, multiple housing sites and a variety of programming models, and collaborate with a wide array of community partners including local government, school districts, businesses, healthcare providers and other stakeholders engaged in creating a community that provides for the needs of its residents. Our team is dynamic, forward-thinking and works together to uphold the Pathways Standards, which prioritize the people we serve, codify support and growth as core management principles, and establish a culture of philanthropy in which we are bold and fearless advocates for our community. The Opportunity Through multiple housing models (Emergency Shelter, Permanent Supportive Housing, Prevention and Diversion) the Pathways of Hope Programs team assists at-risk and homeless families and individuals reduce housing barriers, work toward greater economic opportunity and independence, and strengthen community social service linkages necessary for the participant(s) to prevent or end their homelessness and obtain safe, sustainable, permanent housing. This position will be responsible for navigating and identifying permanent housing and helping participants sustain housing for CalOptima members who are eligible for CalAIM Community Supports that we offer. This position is an integral member of the Program Team and will assist with the service navigation and housing support for participants who are CalOptima and CalAIM eligible. This position works with our community programming and requires a flexible work schedule including some weekend, morning, and evening shifts, as well as reliable transportation to attend/visit program sites, participant units, potential landlord and participant engagements, and community appointments. This position is stationed 80% on-site at our Fullerton office and 20% off-site visiting participants, potential housing units, and connecting with landlords. The Candidate All Pathways of Hope employees must embrace a culture of teamwork, collective success and support in assisting the agency in achieving its mission and vision with a strong focus on the Pathways of Hope Standards. The ideal candidate will possess a strong work ethic, a track record of successful problem-solving, the ability to work independently, and an understanding of homelessness in Orange County. The ideal candidate understands that Case Management and Services Navigation are collaborative efforts with residents. Job Summary In collaboration with the CalAIM Program Supervisor, Community Programs Manager and the Program Team, the CalAIM Housing Navigator will work to connect participants to permanent housing opportunities through collaboration with other programs and CalAIM Community Supports. Using a variety of techniques, the CalAIM Housing Navigator will assist participants in focusing their efforts on acquiring and retaining permanent housing through housing navigation. This position will spend the majority of their time meeting with participants to discuss progress towards housing goals, providing referrals to housing opportunities and ancillary services, assisting in the completion of necessary paperwork for housing applications, acquiring documents that show eligibility for housing opportunities, and documenting and reporting these efforts in CalOptima Connect and HMIS. This position works with our community programming and requires a flexible work schedule including some weekend, morning, and evening shifts, as well as reliable transportation to attend/visit program sites, participant units, potential landlord and participant engagements, and community appointments. This position is stationed 80% on-site at our Fullerton office and 20% off-site visiting participants, potential housing units, and connecting with landlords. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Works directly with members/participants who are connected to CalOptima Health and who are eligible for CalAIM Community Supports and Whatever It Takes (WIT) Receives external and internal(self) referrals from CalOptima Health and/or other case managers or service navigators for members/participants needing CalAIM Community Supports assistance Creates service referrals in CalOptima's 'CalOptima Connect' database system and/or AssistOC Portal for WIT services and requests authorization(s) for Community Support(s) Completes intake with participants for CalAIM Community Support program(s) Provides Housing Navigation and Tenancy support for all eligible and authorized participants through CalAIM and completes ongoing activities in 'CalOptima Connect' database, ongoing Helps complete all necessary documentation related to housing needs, including lease agreement and housing assessments Spends time identifying housing leads and opportunities that match the participant needs In collaboration with the participants, helps locate and secure housing Provide participants with tenant screenings, financial literacy, and tools for successful housing placement Apply knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate participants about their rights and responsibilities Assesses housing barriers of families and individuals experiencing homelessness or those at risk to determine housing and service needs Applies knowledge of relationship building to maintain landlord relations Provides landlord mediation on behalf of the participant as needed Serves as liaison between property managers and participants. Provides direct participant support through ongoing case management Keeps appropriate records and complete all forms in a confidential and professional manner Provides diversion efforts to support linking participant(s) to natural support systems, as necessary Inputs participants into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other databases accurately and in a timely manner, as needed Enrolls participants into the Coordinated Entry System and refers to appropriate community queues, as needed Collects participant documents and determines eligibility for financial assistance, as necessary Connects participants to financial support including, but not limited to, security deposits and application fees, food/basic needs, transportation, medical linkage, car repairs, miscellaneous fees, etc. Tracks and manages program activities, participant data, and statistics Tracks accurate expenses for each participant using internal expense masters, WIT portal, and CalOptima Connect database. Keeps accurate records of program activities and assists in the completion of reports Creates schedules and regularly meets with participants, tracking progress toward goals in detailed case files with charts, progress notes, and outcome evaluation Implements a trauma-informed, strengths based, and harm reduction plan to overcome barriers to obtain and retain housing while working with participants Makes appropriate referrals to the participant needs/provide information and referrals for ancillary services Maintains relationships with existing partners and cultivates partnerships with additional community organizations Represents Pathways of Hope at community meetings and presentations, as needed Works with the Development Department to create and document program achievements in the form of success stories Performs other duties as assigned Knowledge Housing Program Models and best practices Trauma-Informed and Housing First Methods Harm Reduction Strategies Motivational Interviewing Other various counseling methods and conflict resolution techniques founded in strengths-based approach HUD definition of homelessness, Chronic homelessness, Prevention and Diversion CalOptima Heath and CalAIM Community Supports Knowledge of Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry System is preferred Knowledge of Database Management, specifically HMIS is preferred Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook Hunger and homelessness issues affecting Orange County community is preferred Local housing resources and community-based services Skills and Abilities Respond to crisis with the ability to deescalate the situation Maintain confidentiality regarding participant information Work with people from diverse economic and socio-cultural backgrounds Excellent boundary-setting skills Excellent interpersonal and rapport building skills Professional communication skills (verbal and written) and intermediate computer skills Interpret, apply, and explain policies and procedures Represent the program and agency in a positive manner within the community Be punctual, organized, and willing to take initiative Work independently with little or no direction Problem-solve (identify issues and look for solutions/proactively seek to improve processes) Prioritize and multi-task in a fast-paced environment Exceptional organizational, planning, and coordination skills Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, and other partners Education and Experience Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a similar major Previous experience in case management, preferably working with unhoused individuals, families and/or persons in crisis Proficient in Microsoft Office and case management software including HMIS preferred Bilingual English/Spanish required Compensation This is a full-time position with a compensation of $26.00 per hour. Typical hours would be Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am - 6:00 pm with occasional attendance at evening and weekend events required. Benefits available include health, dental and vision insurances, paid time off, a generous paid holidays schedule and a retirement plan enrollment option. As part of its cultural values, Pathways of Hope respects and values work/life balance. Physical Job Requirements Ability to sit for extended periods of time while working at a computer. Uses hands and fingers to operate computers and office equipment for up to 10 hours a day Requires clear vision at 20 inches or less with or without corrective lenses and vision sufficient to use equipment or operate a car safely. Hearing and speech within normal ranges and sufficient for clear communication face to face and on the telephone Lifts up to 20 pounds regularly and 40 pounds occasionally. Exposed to typical office environment conditions and noise levels Equal Opportunity Pathways of Hope is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$26.00 per hour

Benefits:

403(b) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Language:

Spanish (Required) Ability to

Commute:

Fullerton, CA 92832 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Fullerton, CA 92832: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person