Youth Navigator

Overview

Location/Department: New Britain Men's Shelter & Corps (New Britain, CT)

Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Remove barriers to housing for youth, ages 16-24.  Involved with the Coordinated Access Network’s (GH CAN) homeless crisis response agencies providing additional outreach, assessment, referrals, and diversion services to expand and complement those already offered by the CAN. 

Responsibilities

• Conduct age-appropriate intake appointments.
• Develop individual housing plans with youth by building rapport and trust.
• (Re)connect youth with family members, if deemed appropriate by client.
• Help clients with referrals and linkages to services, such as employment and educational programs, behavioral healthcare, primary care, basic needs, financial literacy, and life skills.
• Empower and encourage clients to be change agents in their own lives by focusing on and building up their resiliency, strengths, and protective factors.
• Guide clients through the housing response system, including providing options for obtaining permanent housing.
• Assist clients with paperwork and documentation, including benefits, additional housing interventions, etc.
• Regularly participate in youth-focused community meetings.
• Pair off clients for shared living arrangements, when feasible and only when there is client interest.
• Maintain a minimum ongoing case load of ten homeless youth seeking shelter/housing.
• Schedule a minimum of six CAN appointments per week with homeless/unstably-housed youth through 211.
• Practice persistent engagement to achieve a minimum of 50% show rate at CAN appointments and to keep youth engaged in services to eliminate or compensate for housing barriers during the approximately 90 days they are in case management.
• Conduct CAN appointments in the community and in all towns of the GH-CAN to accommodate the needs and preferences of youth in crisis, including after normal business hours. (As appropriate, appointments may be held using remote technology, such as FaceTime and Skype. In addition, partner with public libraries in the GH-CAN for locations to hold appointments based on youth preference.)
• Maintain client files, stats, and HMIS database per agency and contract standards

Does this job have supervisory responsibilities:      Yes   X_ No

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Minimum of one year experience in social services required.
• Lived experience with homelessness preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish/English preferred.
• Availability to work nontraditional hours to meet client needs is required.
• Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle required.
• Familiarity and experience with service models such as Positive Youth Development, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed Care preferred.
• Will respect and promote the interest of The Salvation Army. The individual is not required to embrace the tenets of faith, but he/she is required to promote and respect the mission of The Salvation

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

ACTIVITY

AMOUNT OF TIME

Up to 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Climb or balance

Lift up to 20 pounds

x

Lift up to 50 pounds

Sit

x

Stand

x

Use hands

x

Use sight/vision

x

Walk, bend, kneel

x

Benefits of Working for The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefit program to full-time employees who work at least 30 hours per week.

• Health benefit plans for single or family medical coverage
• Family wellness program
• Prescription drug plan
• Dental, vision, and hearing benefits
• Telehealth/on-line doctor visits
• Basic and voluntary term life insurance
• Short term disability coverage and optional long term disability coverage
• Supplemental insurance coverage options
• Flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care
• Employer-funded pension plan
• Tax-deferred annuity plan
• Educational assistance
• Paid holidays, vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, jury duty, marriage, and military leave

The Salvation Army Mission Statement:

The 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.

Divisional Headquarters Vision Statement:

The Southern New England Divisional Headquarters exists to develop its Officers, staff, and volunteers to their fullest ministry potential and to be a catalyst and resource for the growing of healthy, vibrant Corps and other expressions of The Salvation Army mission.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer:All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.