The Program:
YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women & Families provides emergency shelter and supportive services around the clock, every day of the year for homeless single women, women with children, and men with custody of their children, and intact families. This 75-bed facility offers a secure, healthy environment with crisis intervention, case management, and counseling to help individuals achieve long-term self-sufficiency. We maintain a successful recidivism rate of about five (5) percent annually, well below the national average of individuals returning to shelters. Children's programs include computer and art classes, tutoring, drug-free education, supportive counseling, and field trips. Recovering from and preventing future homelessness is our goal for all who take shelter with us. The Position:
The Community Engagement Specialist is a full-time position that under the direction of the Program and Assistant Directors will work with clients to promote social and emotional well-being, prevention approaches, person-centered interventions, and self-directed and/or recovery-driven support services. To decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization. Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree and one year experience in human service, social work, or counseling field. Experience may be substituted for degree requirement depending on relevancy to the position. Additional Requisites: Knowledge, experience, and understanding of the homeless population with mental illness, substance abuse, or co-occurring disorder. Ability to work with a diverse population from all backgrounds in a non-judgmental manner and sensitivity to the problem of homelessness. Ability to interact constructively and work in harmony with diverse community interests. General knowledge of community services and referral process to various government and/or community programs. General knowledge of social work skills and techniques. General knowledge and understanding of DHHR Homeless policy and HUD Tool Box on persons experiencing mental health, substance abuse, and/or homelessness to provide quality services to clients to decrease the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization(s). Must pass a criminal background check. Responsibilities: Be committed to and follow the YWCA of Charleston Employee Handbook, the Rules, Procedures, and Protocols governing the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter Program including, but not limited to, maintenance of professional boundaries with the clients and residents. Ability to work with people of all backgrounds and sensitivity to the problems of mental illness, substance use, and co-occurring or existing disorder(s). Develop a network of community resources with key stakeholders to share and gain knowledge of available resources, identify gaps, and promote the development of resources. Facilitate successful transitions for individuals between psychiatric hospitals and communities. Ensure, supportive and preventative services, so that at-risk individuals can live securely in the community of their choice. Assess coping capabilities, potential support systems, and areas of need. Ensure, through intensive follow-up and support, that individuals discharged from in-patient psychiatric hospitals are surrounded by community resources that will strengthen their recovery. Provide face-to-face contact within 3 days of discharge from psychiatric hospitalization to ensure that basic and personal needs are met. Advocate and provide as much support as needed and deemed appropriate to ensure quality service delivery. Communicate with Team Members, Assistant Director, and Program Director on the progress of assigned participants. Provide outreach in local communities served to promote the Community Engagement Program. Maintain a completed checklist of required activities in each case file and participate in bi-weekly reviews. Maintain necessary data, accurate up-to-date records, and participants' progress, and provide reports according to Program Director/grant requirements. Represent the Community Engagement Program at public events, and committees and attend assigned training. Meet with assigned participants once a week and more if needed to assess the progress of their service plan. Coordination of transportation as needed and deemed appropriate. CES will meet with the Assistant Director/Program Director on transfers and discharges from programs. Provide after-hours and nontraditional hours of availability to meet the individual needs of those served Assist Sojourner's staff in times of emergencies. Other duties, as assigned. A complete job description is provided at the time of the interview.
Why Should You Apply? You want to make a difference and see positive change in a person's life! You are passionate about helping people become empowered to be self-sufficient! You are a critical thinker willing to think outside the preverbal box! You want to be part of a team that collaborates for the greater good of an individual and the organization! Compensation: $14.00 to $17.00 Hourly.
About YWCA Charleston: The YWCA Charleston has been fostering self-sufficiency and independence. Originally designed as safe lodging for young women from rural communities coming to Charleston to pursue careers, the YWCA has evolved into the city's most diverse and comprehensive network of social service programs. YWCA programs, facilities, and services assist more than 5,000 individuals each year.
