Social Services Coordinator

Job Objective: Provide financial assistance and/or referrals to clients in need based on established criteria; assess all families with minor children for eligibility in the Pathway of Hope (POH) program. Coordinate all Pathway of Hope services using strength-based case management model to families with a desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and change the trajectory of their lives.

Essential Functions:

Emergency Assistance

Client Assistance

• Interview clients to determine need
• Determine if client qualifies for Emergency Assistance (EA) or POH services based on policies and regulations governing eligibility
• Develop client assistance plans
• Provide referrals to appropriate agencies/services when assistance is unavailable or when further assistance is needed
• Encourage clients to utilize community resources and instruct them on how to access such
• Maintain confidentiality of records and information
• Coordinate special outreach events and seasonal programs with Corps Officer(s)
• Oversee pantry operations: including produce storage, meat storage, proper stock rotation, hours of operations, mobile pantry, commodities, etc.
• Recruit and train front desk clerks
• Recruit, train and oversee S.E.R. workers
• Recruit and train pantry volunteers

Record Keeping

• Create and update client file and input data into MAACLink and/or Salvation Army Information Management System (SIMS) databases
• Maintain all necessary statistics and data with on time monthly submission of statistics to Corps Officer(s)
• Complete required reports
• Maintain tracking of available funding at corps site
• Track and report unmet needs of participants and their families

Community

• Be knowledgeable of community social services and interpret social services regulations in a clear, accurate and helpful manner to clients
• Serve as the liaison between clients and other organizations/agencies
• Communicate appropriately with staff, clients, other agencies and the public using the telephone or in face-to-face contact, one-to-one and in group settings
• Work cooperatively and jointly with staff, clients and agencies to provide quality/caring services.
• Supervisory Responsibility: This position would supervise volunteers/community service workers/State lent employees (through S.E.R.)
• Other duties as assigned

Pathway of Hope

Outreach and Engagement

• Conduct regular outreach to social services sites and other locations in the community to identify eligible applicants
• Engage and build rapport with target population
• Conduct screening interviews with potential applicants in accordance with POH eligibility requirements
• Present potential participants to POH team to include the corps officer, youth pastor, Regional Coordinator, and Divisional POH Program Manager
• Provide appropriate referrals for individuals not eligible for POH services

Case Management

• Perform intake that includes required documentation for admission, referral needs, explanation of program and expectations
• Conduct a written assessment on all participants within 72 hours of intake including screening for serious personal safety and mental health issues
• Develop a case plan with the participant based on the primary goals of housing stability, increased income/financial resources and skills, and self-determination within one week of intake which includes short-term and long-term goals with objectives.
• Update case plan as needed
• Schedule regular meeting times with participants to develop and review goals and objectives
• Conduct home visits as determined by the case plan
• Provide information and referral services as needed
• Assist participants in making linkages and accessing appropriate community resources
• Provide advocacy services as needed, i.e., court involvement, landlord/tenant conflict resolution, etc.
• Provide financial assistance in accordance with program policies and procedures
• Coordinate case management efforts with all staff and contracted services to meet individual and family needs
• Develop a discharge plan with participants addressing permanent housing stability, economic stability, emotional stability and self-determination
• Assist participant to develop a crisis plan; be available during off hours to respond to an emergency
• Conduct life skills and budgeting classes
• Maintain case files for each participant that includes the assessment, case plan, documentation of progress, challenges, outcomes/accomplishments, discharge plan and summary, and documentation of all follow up contact
• Maintain comprehensive and detailed case notes on all participants
• Complete required documentation of all educational groups
• Prepare case records for proper storage after participant discharge
• Ensure client confidentiality in accordance with established procedures and regulations

HMIS Case Management & Direct Assistance

• Maintain comprehensive demographic data as required on all participants
• Submit monthly summary of service statistics to the Regional Coordinator
• Maintain accurate records of financial assistance provided to participants in their file and in the MAACLink Homeless Management Information System and the Salvation Army Information Management System (SIMS)
• Complete other reports as requested

Agency and Community Networking

• Attend agency and community meetings as requested
• Meet with Regional Coordinator on a regular basis (at least monthly) for individual consultation and case management supervision
• Participate in monthly cluster meetings led by the Regional Coordinator
• Attend supervisory meetings
• Maintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services for participants and to stay abreast of current trends and resources available
• Provide guidance and support to community volunteers working with the program
• Represent the agency's purpose, philosophy, and function to the community
• Promote the spiritual dimension of Salvation Army social services programs, emphasizing the importance of Christian influence and evangelism in all Salvation Army ministries, including delivery of social services in contemporary settings

Quality Assurance

• Track and report unmet needs of participants and their families
• Document and report effectiveness of service delivery using consumer, case management and community resource feedback
• Provide ideas for programming specific to educational or process groups needed for participants
• Ensure quality of local data and reporting of information that will support national and territorial POH program outcomes
• Ensure relevance and consistency of POH by collaborating with the Regional Coordinator and Divisional Program Manager with ongoing development of policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and outcome-based measures related to the POH
• Report any POH challenges and work with the corps officer and POH Program Manager to develop an action plan to address program development needs

Pathway of Hope Program Evaluation and Outcomes Measurement

• Ensure the accuracy of data entry into the MAACLink and SIMS database
• Participate in other program and outcome evaluation activities
• Assist Regional Coordinator in the annual POH evaluation/outcomes measurement for Corps and summary/review report to the Divisional Program Manager and Divisional Social Services Director
• Assist Regional Coordinator in the completion of quarterly random record reviews and annual review of compliance with standards in order to assure for program evaluation/certification requirements

Education and Training

• Attend training sessions that support the initial implementation phase and ongoing training requirements for POH
• Attend in-service training and outside conferences/workshops as requested and approved by the Corps Officers
• Participate in POH workshops and other training events at the territorial, divisional or local level, as requested and/or assigned

Supervision: None

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree in human service area: prefer BSW from an accredited college or university. Associates degree with extensive experience in strength-based case management may substitute for bachelor's degree as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Experience: Minimum of two years of case management experience in a comparable social service program that offer multi-faceted case management interventions designed to address the needs of those who are vulnerable utilizing a strength-based approach.

Certifications/Licenses: None

Skills/Abilities:

Analytical/Assessment Skills & Competencies: Critical thinking, complex data analyses, articulate analysis and evidence-based research, and creative problem solving

Planning Skills & Competencies: Organize/implement plans, develop policies/procedures, standardize operations, manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously, delegation, establish and meet goals, detail orientation, and strategies for CQI

Communication Skills & Competencies: Professional written and verbal communication skills in Standard English, concisely articulate information for application, presentation and public speaking

Cultural Competency Skills & Competencies: Adaptable in culturally diverse environments, and respectful of cultural differences

Community Practice Skills & Competencies: Engage with others, form collaborative alliances, influence, motivate, manage change, and address barriers. Assess community needs, plan interventions, and participate in community leadership applying research-based practices

Financial Planning, Management Skills & Competencies: Budget forecasting, analysis of income, expenses, prior year actuals and variances, and establishment of annual budgets. Create and maintain a detailed budget planning tool with anticipated expenses

Leadership, Systems Thinking Skills & Competencies: Effective team leadership modeling ethical standards. Adaptability to changing conditions and requirements. Discretion in confidential information flow. Conflict resolution and mediation skills

Other Requirements: Services are provided to vulnerable individuals and families, therefore applicants with felony convictions for child abuse, child endangerment, or crimes against persons, cannot be considered for this position. Ability to meet and maintain The Salvation Army driver qualification eligibility

Physical Requirements: Include sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, and twisting on an intermittent or occasional basis; grasping, pushing, pulling, lifting objects up to 25 lbs.; reaching overhead. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this job.

Travel: Local mainly, will also travel to divisional/territorial trainings and conferences.

Driving: Yes. Must possess a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside. Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in an office setting and in the community

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

The Salvation Army Mission: 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.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back to work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.