Program Advocate

Position Summary:

The Program Advocate is primarily responsible for working directly with families who are experiencing homelessness; to empower and assist them in achieving long-term stability and sustainable independence; and for working with volunteers to support this mission. The Program Advocate will provide case management and crisis intervention services to families that are currently participating in our 30-to-90-day shelter program, transitional house and prevention programs.  This is a highly responsible professional position that will provide assessment, management and advocacy services to families experiencing homelessness.

Case Management Responsibilities:

• Screen potential guest families via telephone and through written and oral application process; collaborate with Executive Director in selecting participants.
• Perform criminal background checks and drug screens on all families seeking services.
• Conduct intake assessment on families at admission; outline needs and create a plan for those needs to be addressed.
• Develop individual family permanency plans with each family admitted within 1 week of entry date.
• Assist each family to set and implement daily goals.
• Review the family permanency plan with the family as needed and make adjustments as required.
• Hold families accountable for their actions responding with firmness and kindness.
• Provide, at minimum, weekly case management to families in the Promise Haven Program that addresses physical and mental health as well as the families' ongoing needs and progress in the program.
• Provide at minimum, monthly in person case management sessions with families in Families Forward Aftercare program.
• Serve as the primary contact for families in the programs.
• Create and oversee educational programs focusing on a variety of life skills (e.g., parenting, employment, budgeting and housing searches) so families can attain and maintain sustainable independence.
• Advocate on behalf of the families as needed to help them access social services and needed services.
• Continually update resources with current information on local social services that may be helpful to homeless families.
• Orient all families to resource library, including computer usage and restrictions
• Maintain database of current referral resources to assist families in the program.
• Serve as primary contact and communicate regularly with referring and supporting agencies.
• Communicate with staff, volunteers and donors about the needs of the families and coordinate efforts.
• Operate in an organized manner, diligently keeping data and case notes on family’s progress; gather data used for the annual report.
• Meet with Executive Director weekly to assess/and or review new guests.
• Report on problems and successes and obtain any direction needed.
• Collaborate regularly with local service agencies including peer education, professional development, and community partnerships.
• Be responsible for dealing with crisis situations in a safe, effective manner; will notify the Executive Director of situations that occur and seek assistance from Director if needed.
• Perform other duties as delegated by the Executive Director.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a human service or behavioral science field is preferred.
• Experience working directly with low-income or families experiencing homelessness.
• Three years’ experience in a human services environment/field.
• Flexibility - as this job will require some evening and weekend hours and some after- hour on call responsibilities.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point).
• Be willing to familiarize yourself with Sales Force.
• Be in alignment and commitment to the agency’s mission statement, organizational values and beliefs, strategic goals, and objectives.
• Must have valid driver's license and vehicle.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Have strong oral and written communication skills.
• Relate to families in a respectful and non-judgmental manner. Ability to help individuals budget and stick to a budget.
• Expertise in conflict-resolution and holding individuals accountable.
• Work effectively with a wide range of people.
• Make decisions, solve problems, delegate tasks and responsibilities.
• Understand human development, psychology and social services.
• Know the Gwinnett area and community resources.
• Handle stressful situations in a reasonable, calm manner.
• Act both independently and as a team player to further the goals of Family Promise of Gwinnett.

Send cover letter and resume to Executive Director, Carol Love at clove@familypromisegwinnett[dot]org.