Advocate - Veteran Housing and Homeless Services - Forces United

Advocate, Veteran Housing and Homeless Services

The Advocate, Veteran Homeless Services administers a grant for which ForcesUnited http://www.forcesunited.org/ is a subcontractor.  The Supported Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) grant allows for assistance to low-income Veteran families residing in or transitioning to permanent housing.  The Veteran advocate will provide a range of supportive services to eligible Veteran families that are designed to promote housing stability.

Reports to                   Director, Veteran Housing and Homeless Services

Location                      Augusta, GA

Category                     Full-time, Permanent – Non-exempt

Required Knowledge and Skills        

Incumbent must meet requirements in the following areas:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, counseling or related field preferred
• Knowledge of community resources and social work practices with homeless Veteran population
• Experience de-escalating Veterans in crisis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to establish rapport
• Ability to motivate Veterans towards achieving goals and objectives
• Ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally-diverse Veteran families and communities with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• Must have strong MS-Office Suite skills, ability to design presentations using PowerPoint, have internet proficiency and additional technical skills

Job Duties and Responsibilities         

• Provide a holistic and comprehensive supportive services plan to all Veterans including: goal setting, progress monitoring, individual money management, educational, benefit and/or vocational assessment, advocacy and referrals, both internal and external
• Screen referrals for eligibility, help obtain documents through E-Benefits, and complete intakes
• Collaborate with VA Homeless Program or other case managers to assist Veterans
• Maintain a caseload of 20 Veteran’s and/or families, documenting monthly services for them in required GA HMIS (Homeless Management Information System)
• Connect Veterans with needed and available community resources; follow-up with Veterans and agencies as appropriate to documents use/success of referral
• Ensure that all documents submitted to EOA on behalf of Veteran are valid
• Use appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions
• Provide all required documentation to EOA within one business day of obtaining completed assessment packet
• Maintain files and records of individuals served, services provided, outreach activities conducted, surveys completed, and other general reporting as assigned including internal database and GA HMIS.
• Creating and maintaining forms as needed for SSVF use, and updating based on changing needs and policies.
• Manage and update the SSVF Office supply list/purchase order requests.
• Manage and update the running list of Veterans furniture needs.
• Manage and update the list of bus passes and ensure the information is documented in HMIS, Uniteus, and on the actual signed forms.
• If a Veteran is not eligible for SSVF, make the appropriate referrals internally as well as externally in the commination for local or national resources.
• Assist in collecting data for weekly goals and monthly reports submitted by Director
• Facilitate and participate in outreach event to find, engage, and connect Veterans to need resources
• Participate in regular staff meetings, staff training programs, supervisory sessions, and accept the responsibility for aiding the development of positive team relationships as requested
• Adhere to agency policy, procedures and the professional code of ethics
• Assume additional related duties and responsibilities as necessary and assigned

Working Conditions

• Some outreach and engagement required in homeless shelters and local VA Medical Centers or other public locations if transportation prevents Veterans from getting to office locations
• Ability to work on a computer and/or telephone for extended periods of time
• Ability to maneuver around in the community to attend offsite meetings
• Ability to periodically work evenings and/or on weekends for meetings, community forums, and conferences