Veteran Advocate

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be primarily responsible for managing a caseload of low-income veteran participants. The primary focus of this position will be on implementing the Shallow Subsidy initiative and developing best practices related to Shallow Subsidy, with the focus on the Housing First model and philosophy. The Shallow Subsidy Advocate will utilize best practices and participant-centeredness. The Shallow Subsidy Advocate will assist Veteran Households in quickly maintaining or obtaining permanent housing, with a goal of achieving housing stability. Essential job functions include those listed below and other duties may be assigned as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Serve as an active part of the San Joaquin Valley Veterans (SJVV) case management team and carry out all required responsibilities as needed.
• Provide shallow subsidy case management services to low-income Veteran participants consistently throughout a 2-year period.
• Monitor income changes and assist with budgeting on at least quarterly basis.
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants' needs and requests.
• Conducts comprehensive screenings and assessments with individuals (or families) to collect functional, environmental, psycho-social, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate
• Assess barriers facing the clients and develop a case plan.
• Develop, implement and revise 90-day and 2-year housing stability plan with Veteran participants.
• Provide service linkages and support systems to ensure identified needs are met.
• Coordinates case conferences with residents, consults with service team, monitors progress of clients on case plan, assists clients to meet the agreed upon goals.
• Connect with landlords and familiarize them with the Shallow Subsidy, SSVF & HUD programs, and community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of potential problems leading to eviction.
• Acts as advocate for client before judicial, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed; facilitates educational workshops and client participation as appropriate.
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to participants' needs and requests.
• Assist participants in locating or maintaining permanent housing.
• Completion of home visits and housing inspections as needed. Maintains contact with landlords to provide ongoing support.
• Complete documentation of services on appropriate, county specific forms per policy and procedure guidelines.
• Maintain client files according to company policy and contract requirements.
• Will receive referrals from community partner case managers, outreach workers, and concerned family and friends.
• Coordinate and partner with community resources to promote the well-being of the veterans (i.e. WestCare, assigned county, VA, Vet Center, county specific CoC). Develop and maintain working knowledge of available community resources, attend community meetings and act as liaison.
• Coordination of various services throughout several agencies.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with employers, industry organizations, and public agencies to source job openings and secure employment and vocational training opportunities for clients.
• Work with Benefits Specialist to refer clients to specialized services, such as, job seeking skills training, job placement, vocational schools, welfare-to-work services, Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program, work rehabilitation programs, etc.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and regular supervision.
• Embrace and embody the mission, vision, guiding principles, clinical vision and goals of WestCare Foundation.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

• Ability to work collaboratively with others in a manner that is pleasant and professional.
• Ability to work well in a team environment.
• Two (2) years case management or outreach experience.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability to operate and document in Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook program formats.
• Ability to respond as needed to crisis situations in an efficient manner.
• Ability to complete work tasks within scheduled work hours.
• Demonstrated ability to work with the underserved populations
• Veteran and/or military experience preferred
• Strong written and verbal skills.
• Be able to multi-task; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification and an Annual Tuberculosis test
• Valid drivers license and ability to operate motor vehicle.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications.
• Must have own transportation to carry out job duties and responsibilities. The vehicle must meet legal requirements (insured, registered, etc.).
• Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare services.
• Must have own transportation to carry out job duties and responsibilities. The vehicle must meet legal requirements (insured, registered, etc.).
• Willing to seek out new work projects and contribute ideas and efforts to the constant improvement of WestCare services.
• As mandated by Presidential Order all employees of WestCare Foundation, Inc. and all affiliates of WestCare Foundation, Inc. will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective 12/08/2021. Employees that have requested a Medical or Religious Exemption, which has been approved by Human Resources will be required to test for the virus weekly.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you

Certifications/Licenses:

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in Psychology, Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field is preferred.

Experience and Competencies:

• Valid drivers license and ability to obtain and maintain WestCare's vehicle insurance is required.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain Fresno County Credentialing; and
• CPR Certification, First Aid Certification, and an annual Tuberculosis test.
• As mandated by Presidential Order all employees of WestCare Foundation, Inc. and all affiliates of WestCare Foundation, Inc. will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective 12/08/2021. Employees that have requested a Medical or Religious Exemption, which has been approved by Human Resources will be required to test for the virus weekly.
• During your tenure with WestCare there may be new requirements, including, but not limited to vaccinations that are issued by local, State, Federal, and/or Funders that WestCare may have to comply with. Should this occur Human Resources or appropriate personnel will inform you.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting, as well as outdoor outreach.
• Some travel is required; and
• Some outdoor activities may be required.

Essential Physical and Mental Demands of the Job

The employee must be able to perform the following essential duties and activities with or without accommodation:

Physical Demands:

• Requires mobility and physical activity: Having an adequate range of body motion and mobility to work in an office, residential, or outdoor environment including standing and walking (even and uneven surfaces), sitting for extended periods of time, bending, twisting, reaching, balancing, occasional lifting and carrying of up to 50 pounds. Use of computer and telephone systems is required which includes coordination of eye and hand, and fine manipulation by the hands (typing, writing, and working with files).
• Requires the ability to defend oneself and clients in physically abusive situations using approved physical de-escalation techniques.
• Requires talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Talking is required to impart oral information to employees, clients, patients, and the public, and in those activities in which the employee is required to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly