Journey Veterans Advocate

Position Summary:

Person in this position will be primarily responsible for managing a caseload of low-income veteran participants. This person is responsible for case management activities including linking veterans with services inside the Veterans Administration and in the community, with the focus on the Housing First model and philosophy. The Journey Veteran Advocate will assist Veteran Households in quickly maintaining or obtaining permanent housing, with a goal of achieving housing stability, always utilize best practices and participant-centeredness. 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.
• Support a larger active caseload of homeless veterans and/or veterans that are currently in danger of becoming homeless
• Create individual plans, monitor and update plans weekly, and have exit plans.
• Conduct assessments and coordinate referrals and placements of eligible veterans to appropriate programs and facilities.
• Educate and refer individuals to community agencies and businesses that appropriately address needs for food, clothing, employment, transportation, etc.
• Assist veterans with establishing or re-establishing support systems within their community.
• Participate in outreach efforts, including street outreach.
• Act as advocate on behalf of the veterans to improve access to needed community services.
• Practice, conduct curriculum including, Life Skills groups, money management, parenting classes and communication improvement classes.
• Coordinates case conferences with residents, consults with service team, monitors progress of clients on case plan, assists clients to meet the agreed upon goals.
• Participate in case staffing decisions regarding current strengths and resources and the need for additional resources.
• Provides consulting support to Entry Veteran Advocate on complex cases.
• Mentor, train, and support Entry Veteran Advocate in mastering the essential job functions of the veteran advocate position.
• Provides support to Program Leads/Coordinators with QA of files.
• 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 wellbeing 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 Educator 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
• 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.
• 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.

Education:

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

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.

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 30 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 through the use of 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, veterans, 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.
• Requires hearing: Hearing is required to receive and communicate detailed information through oral communication.
• Requires seeing: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and at distance. This factor is required to observe client behavior and activities in and out of the facility.

• The normal work routine involves exposure to human blood, body fluids or tissues. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be readily available to every employee and safety training is mandatory.