Activities Coordinator - CAS/Bell Shelter

Company: The Salvation Army
Location: Bell Gardens
Posted on: August 3, 2022

Job Description:

DescriptionMission StatementThe Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.Position SummaryThe Interim Housing Program Activities Coordinator is responsible for the development, organization, and implementation of the monthly schedule of activities, life skill classes, outings, programs, and entertainment to meet the needs and interests of the participants and encourage participant socialization and engagement. The IHP Activities Coordinator will work with participant to provide professional and individualized participant case management services, information, and referrals designed to assist participants in addressing the underlying causes of their homeless condition and removing barriers to independence. Essential Functions+ Responsible for the development, organization, and implementation of the ongoing schedule of activities, life skill classes, outings, programs, and entertainment to meet the needs and interests of the participants and encourage participant socialization and engagement. Including but not limited to housing search and readiness; financial planning and budgeting; employment search and readiness; community, social and cultural engagement, resources, or linkages; physical and educational elements; are both indoor/outdoor and onsite/off-site; and as directed by Program manager.+ Regularly collaborate with Case Managers and update activities based on the participant's needs, suggestions and/or current trends to engage and help manage client behaviors.+ Work closely with Program Manager to set annual goals and assess quarterly. With Programs Manager approval, make improvements based on feedback from participant and staff surveys, meetings, etc.+ Responsible for developing a budget for planned activities; operate within monthly budget and make special purchases with approval from Program Manager.+ Maintain appearance of activity areas, program supplies, equipment, promotional material, bulletin boards and storage/maintenance of supplies.+ Must attend and supervise all activities, field trips and/or outings to promote positive interaction between participants, staff, and outside community groups.+ Responsible for all aspects of participants planned activities to ensure calendars and activities are being followed and conducted properly and on a timely basis. This includes but is not limited to motivating, encouraging, engaging, establishing, and increasing participant attendance; creating and posting of promotional material/calendar; transportation coordination; community outreach to bring panelist for participants.+ Work closely with Event and Volunteer Coordinator, to avoid calendar/room reservation conflicts, assist in coordinating holiday or special event/celebration and decoration or set up, donation gathering and help supervise and schedule volunteers.+ Collaborate, develop, and foster linkages with other social service agencies to provide clients with access to a broad range of supportive services, including but not limited to: VA Liaisons, VASH, SSFV, HVRP, CBEST, legal services, transportation services, health/mental health services, employment preparation/placement services, substance abuse services, vocational services, access to mainstream benefits, and identification of and access to permanent housing.+ Collaborate, develop, and foster linkages with landlords, property management companies and other social service/housing agencies. This includes but not limited to research, outreach, education, and public relations to build a pool of landlords and property management companies willing to rent to program participants.+ Create, maintain, and share an active housing database comprised of social services agencies, affordable housing programs, developers, and landlords.+ Help program participants identify potential neighborhoods where they wish to live, conduct housing searches in said areas and negotiate with potential landlords on behalf of the participants.+ Assist in the processing and submission of applications for housing (subsidized and unsubsidized).+ Work collaboratively with Case Managers to assist participants as needed during their move into permanent housing. Such assistance may include accessing rental assistance monies, moving costs, donated furnishings, and other basic household items for the family. Collaborate with program participant's assigned Case Manager to ensure seamless services and solve any potential issues.+ Meet with each participant at least once a week or as needed to: assess, support, motivate and encourage participant to work towards their goals and/or needs and provide ongoing support by practicing a "whatever it takes" approach and Trauma Informed care, Harm Reduction and Housing First Models.+ Complete initial psychosocial/mental health assessment; develop an individual service plan (ISP) and monthly action plan with each assigned participant, to establish and track client goals, including action steps and timeframe for completion of each step leading to securing permanent housing.+ Complete VISPDAT and/or Next Step Tool with all eligible clients to ensure they are connected with the CES system and collaborate with the SPA 7 Housing Navigator/Matcher to link clients to potential housing resources using the CES matching system.+ Regularly and accurately maintain participant data in HMIS/Clarity and paper file, including sign-in sheets, participant progress update to assigned CM, complete documentation/case notes of all activities, services, and outcomes achieved. Update case notes and general client information within 72 hours of meeting with client.+ Responsible for submitting all required program reports and/or documents in a timely manner.+ Attend trainings and meeting as deemed necessary by funders and/or management, both on and off site.+ Responsible for deescalating, investigating, and/or problem-solving participant incident reports and/or grievances. If necessary, file appropriate mandated incident report.+ Assist with audit preparation and assigned file auditing to maintain all elements of client data both digital and paper format with emphasis on accuracy, thoroughness, and timeliness.+ Other duties include random locker searches, U/A testing, property roll-ups/return, downsizing of participant property, monitoring medication and chore/meal/snack time, regularly monitoring client bed and common areas for potential health or fire hazards.+ Communicates effectively and collaborates with all staff, department personnel and other department staff.+ Represent Bell Shelter at Salvation Army and external events, as necessary.+ Must be able to work evenings, weekends and holidays and work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.+ Is subject to frequent interruptions. Residents, personnel, visitors, agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.+ Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents and visitors.+ Perform all other duties as assigned by Programs Manager, Associate Director and Director.Working ConditionsAbility to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to operate computer, fax, and telephone. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. Due to licensing requirements, must be fully vaccinated and have booster shot or accept booster shot within 15 days of eligibility. This position requires employee to be vaccinated from COVID-19. Minimum Qualifications+ BA/BS degree preferred in social work or related area of study with 1-year work experience with special needs, low-income and/or homeless populations.+ OR high school diploma with 2-3 years of experience providing direct mental health or intensive case management services to individuals experiencing homeless.+ Current knowledge of and interest in homeless populations and available supportive resources.+ If in recovery, must have 2 years of sobriety.+ Understand and support the mission of The Salvation Army.+ Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification prior to employment.+ TB-cleared prior to hire.Skills, Knowledge & Abilities+ Driving Test, clean MVR check (if applies).+ Ability to maintain confidentiality of verbal and written information about participants, facility operations and personnel.+ Ability to work weekends, evenings, and holidays.+ Ability to work independently and/or interact with team members at all levels and promote teamwork+ Ability to actively listen and take genuine interest in helping homeless individuals to address and reduce barriers to independence.+ Excellent time management and communication skills, both verbal and written. Professional telephone etiquette.+ Meet deadlines, work with attention to detail.+ Strong interpersonal skills with both participants and staff in a professional, respectful manner.+ Knowledge of HMIS preferred. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, and ability to type 45 wpm.+ Basic math skills.QualificationsSkillsRequired+ CPR/AED: AdvancedEducationRequired+ High School or Equivalent or betterPreferred+ Bachelors or better in Social WorkLicenses & CertificationsRequired+ TB cleared certificateExperienceRequired+ 3 years: Minimum Experience Providing Direct Mental Health or Intensive Case Management Services to Individual Experiencing Homelessness.Preferred+ Knowledge of HMIS.+ 1 year: Minimum Work Experience With Special Needs, Low-Income and/or Homeless PopulationEqual Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

Keywords: The Salvation Army, Bell Gardens , Activities Coordinator - CAS/Bell Shelter, Other , Bell Gardens, California