Social Services Coordinator - The Salvation Army USA Central Territory : Job Details

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