Family Resource Specialist, Family Pathways

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION AND JOB SUMMARY The Primavera Foundation is a non-profit community development organization that has been providing pathways out of poverty and strengthening the Tucson community since 1983, through a variety of programs and services. Primavera’s Family Pathways Emergency Shelter Program provides short-term shelter for families with minor children who are experiencing homelessness in community based rental units, along with intensive case management to meet each family’s goals, leading to stable housing. The Resource Specialist assists with the development of individual success plans for each family, provides referrals to other community services/resources, and serves as a liaison with outside entities in order to advocate for the needs of the family. The Resource Specialist works with each family to identify a community rental unit and negotiates the lease and payment process with each landlord. The Resource Specialist also works closely with homelessness liaisons from school districts to ensure that federal education regulations regarding children that are homeless are followed. The successful candidate will be a compassionate service professional, who is deeply motivated by helping families and children achieve sustainability through attainment of their goals, is adaptable to change and able to work at a faster-than-average pace, and is thorough, structured, and detail-oriented.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the leadership):

• Provide direct Resource Specialist services to families in the Family Pathways program including:
  • Screening of potential participants and orienting new families to the program.
  • Schedule, complete intakes, and collection of required paperwork.
  • Administer case assessments, create and continuously maintain accurate HMIS/Service Point, Shelter point electronic records for all participants.
  • Create family success plans and meet with each participant at least weekly, monitoring progress and making referrals to ensure participant’s success.
  • Coach and guide families, providing life skills resources and ensuring that participants follow through with referrals, and advocate for families as appropriate.
  • Refer to financial capability, develop and maintain a working budget with each family.
  • Coordinate with Primavera programs and other community permanent housing providers to assist families with stable housing.
  • Maintain contact with school homelessness liaisons/coordinators ensuring the needs of the children are met including transportation.
• Provide emergency shelter housing for families to include:
  • Arrange for short-term motel stays as needed for families in immediate housing crisis.
  • Provide referrals, information and guidance to families for housing search. Negotiate lease and all related activities with the landlord. Complete Habitability Standards inspection of unit.
  • Create the Temporary Occupancy Agreement for the adult participants, which is to include a copy of the lease signed by Primavera and the landlord.
  • Purchase and ensure delivery of furniture as necessary depending on the needs of the family. Provide resources such as laundry funds, household supplies, and food cards at move in as needed.
  • Complete periodic home visits to ensure a safe living environment for each family.
  • Maintain tracking information and statistical data as required internally and by grant funding sources.
• Serve as lliaison with the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona, maintaining compliance with their guidelines and coordinating delivery of diapers and related supplies to Primavera programs.
• Sort, store and distribute donations received for Family Pathways families.
• Train and supervise volunteers, requesting volunteers as needed.
• Implement public health and safety guidelines related to COVID-19 in all practices.
• Attend training and meetings as required, including but not limited to those for shelter staff, Resource Specialists, and Primavera All Staff meetings.
• Adhere to and demonstrate Primavera’s guiding principles of integrity, respect, accountability, compassion, and leadership.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to interact one-on-one with people with sometimes challenging issues (i.e. substance abuse, mental health, physical disabilities, and other).
• Extensive knowledge of community services for low income families experiencing homelessness, including but not limited to housing issues and options, mainstream benefits, and employment programs.
• Ability to work effectively and communicate positively and professionally with diverse people including participants, volunteers, staff, local agencies and organizations.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships and boundaries.
• Ability to organize tasks and utilize time efficiently.
• Ability to assess and evaluate situations and respond in a professional and safe manner.
• Ability to attend meetings and appointments at other locations in the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in social service or related field
• Minimum of one year of case management experience working with families and minor children, preferably providing case management or other direct services
• Proficiency with basic computer systems and software, including database programs
• First Aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain
• Fingerprint clearance, or ability to obtain
• Must have reliable transportation, a current valid driver’s license and registration, proof of insurance coverage, and a clean driving record
• Ability to meet the above knowledge, skills, and abilities
• Ability to work in an environment with minimal supervision, be dependable, and flexible to meet program needs.
• Knowledge of relevant and applicable community resources.
• Reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and proof of current registration and insurance coverage to attend off site meetings and travel between locations.

Please note: A combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of degree. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Extensive knowledge of community services.
• Knowledge of ServicePoint (HMIS) system to easily transition into position.
• At least two years of experience working with families with minor children, preferably providing case management or other direct services
• At least one-year experience providing direct behavioral health services and/or services with people who have experienced trauma

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• Mixture of office and field work
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs
• Ability to work in a busy environment (both inside an office setting and outside with moderate noise levels and desert climate.
• Ability to work at desk work station and throughout common areas, standing, bending, stooping for several hours at a time, and ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Visual acuity to discern data and information and hand dexterity to enter information into computer systems.
• If driving a Primavera vehicle, must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and submit proof of a clean driving record.

Salary : $18 - $20