Housing Specialist

Company: Vaya Health
Location: Danbury
Posted on: November 22, 2022

Job Description:

LOCATION: Serving all counties within Vaya's Catchment Area
SALARY: Depending on qualifications & experience of candidate. This position is non-exempt and is eligible for overtime compensation.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB:The Housing Specialist is responsible for the completion of administrative work directly related to the management of identified housing programs and initiatives aimed at supporting individuals who experience Mental Health, Substance Use, and/or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities live in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. The employee performs a variety of functions related to housing including the identification of social and economic opportunities that are likely to enhance health outcomes for individuals served. The employee focuses on connecting individuals to needed services, supported housing opportunities and other social determinants of health resources. This is accomplished by developing the means to address housing deficits and maximizing opportunities for members served through housing development, service development and community outreach activities. The employee will provide expertise, guidance, and training for internal and external stakeholders as it relates to accessing appropriate housing resources and supports for those served. The employee ensures that engagement with identified contracted providers is consistent and in line with contract obligations. The employee, in collaboration with Vaya's Housing Supports Manager, ensures that all housing supports activities are delivered in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DMH/DD/SAS Contract, and guidelines/manuals/protocols/procedures established by the Department of Health and Human Services, federal rules and regulations, best practices, standards, and internal Vaya policies/procedures/manuals/guidelines.Note: This position requires access to and use of confidential healthcare information or protected health information (PHI) as described in laws addressing patient confidentiality, including, but not limited to, the federal HIPAA law, the Confidentiality of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Patient Records law, 42 CFR Part 2, and various state laws. As such, the individual filling this position shall be required to be trained regarding such laws and shall be required to observe those laws in his/her capacity as an employee of Vaya Health. The individual filling this position shall also sign a confidentiality statement as an employee of Vaya Health.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Housing ManagementAdminister state and federally funded housing programs and servicesManage housing initiatives, activities, programs, and funding as assigned by Vaya's Housing Supports ManagerSupport Housing Team in the completion of assigned duties and in meeting LME/MCO, state, and federal reporting requirementsMaintain wait list for identified housing and residential programsDetermine member eligibility based on housing program criteria, requirements, regulations, and rulesOffer and/or partner with local housing agencies to provide housing rental assistance and supportive services for individuals and recipients experiencing homelessness Receive and process housing assistance requestsComplete annual project grant applications within state and federal databases in accordance with program requirementsEnsure integrity and compliance for identified housing programsMaintain complete and accurate records for identified housing budgetsAdhere to policies, procedures, rules, regulations, best practices, standards, as well as accomplishing local and state performance outcomes and expectationsSupport sudden facility closure and discharge process with internal departments and local Department of Social ServicesFunction as the single point-of-contact for identified on-going contractual and service issues as assignedResource IdentificationMaintain housing and residential resources for specialty populations including vacancy reports, housing flows, housing navigation tools and resource guidesDevelop and identify strategies to address housing deficits across disability populationsAttend monthly community housing/residential meetings and disperse pertinent resources to internal and external stakeholdersContribute to Vaya's social determinants of health initiatives Housing Development Support landlord recruitment and outreach effortsEnhance Vaya's county-by-county assessment of funding sources, barriers, and resources for supported housing in Vaya's catchmentIdentify strategies to access innovative services and third-party funding sources to support housing activitiesOrchestrate cooperation aimed at gaining access to funding opportunities from private, city/county, state, and federal sources Support local community initiatives and programs as approved by executive leadership teamCommunity Collaboration and Education Make available in multiple venues where service providers and other stakeholders convene, information to identify housing resources and supports, expand knowledge of eligibility requirements for various housing programs, how to access affordable housing resources, information to increase awareness of Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and Landlord and Tenant RightsSupport development and housing training initiativesProvide support to stakeholder groups as requestedProvide support and consultation to internal departments as it relates toeducation meeting the needs of individuals with the highest acuity Work collaboratively with other Vaya departments/teams to trouble shoot, develop, and streamline the management of Emergency Need IDD Respite ResourcesWork collaboratively to support member discharge planning from State and local hospitals, recovery facilities, and the correctional systemAttend internal critical case staffing conference calls as requested or directed to provide education regarding service resources in the networkParticipate on area wide inter-agency committees with focus upon housing developmentMaintain positive working relationships with local public housing authorities (PHA) and HUD Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher administrating agencies to improve access and increase the supply of housing resources for specialty populationsCoordinate with other Vaya departments to ensure effective collaboration, business processes, process improvement, and consistent practices within the agencyAttend internal critical case staffing conference calls as requested or directed to provide education regarding service resources in the networkProvide education to member and team members (including family) on options and community resources that can assist members with making informed and timely decisions as it relates to housing stability, including accessing NC360 system to support efforts
Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:A Bachelor's Degree in Human Services is required with two years of related experience in housing.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:This position must have the ability to establish appropriate and respectful relationships/partnerships with organizational personnel. Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team approach. Ability to assume a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet the needs of providers, consumers or families served. Works within the established ethical guidelines developed for the profession.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL & ABILITIES:Highly motivated, team player, self-starter and able to work independently with little or no directionAbility to problem solve and provide practical, thorough and creative solutions to work tasksStrong knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and program practices/requirements applicable to Vaya Health's operation in North CarolinaAbility to adhere to strict confidentiality requirementsExperience in leading a performance relationship with external stakeholdersProficiency in analyzing, understanding and communicating network needsStrong customer service skills paired with a positive demeanor - a "can do" attitudeExcellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to speak clearly and concisely, conveying complex or technical information in a manner that others can understand, as well as ability to understand and interpret complex information from others, including but not limited to reimbursement policy standardsExceptional business acumenAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentHigh level of knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and adept at learning software applications - expert level preferredDemonstrated knowledge of the assessment and treatment of mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance use disorder, sometimes co-occurring, is helpful
LOCATION REQUIREMENT:In accordance with the BH and I/DD Tailored Plan requirements mandated by the NC Department of Health and Human Services, certain Vaya Health positions are required to be filled by individuals who reside in North Carolina, meaning someone who establishes a legal domicile in North Carolina and pays income tax in North Carolina, or resides within 40 miles of the North Carolina border. New hires from outside of North Carolina will have 60 days from the date of hire to meet this requirement, if applicable to the position.This position is required to reside in North Carolina or within 40 miles of the North Carolina Boarder.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Open Until Filled
APPLY: Vaya Health accepts online applications in our Career Center, please visit http://www.vayahealth.com/careers-overview/ Ind.001
Vaya Health is an equal opportunity employer.

Keywords: Vaya Health, Winston-Salem , Housing Specialist, Other , Danbury, North Carolina