Housing Specialist- ACT Team (Worcester)

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Job description

Overview:
Join the Open Sky team for an exciting new launching of an Assertive Community Treatment team in Worcester, Massachusetts! We are seeking an experienced, flexible and dedicated Housing Navigator to join our team. All new Navigators will earn a $2,000 sign on bonus!

See Beyond. Live Beyond. Join the Open Sky Team!

Open Sky Community Services is a human service agency that provides counseling services and treatment options to people diagnosed with a mental illness, developmental disability, and/or substance use disorder. Open Sky is launching a new Assertive Community Treatment Team in Worcester! This is a a multidisciplinary team that provides individualized services to any person who needs it within the community. . The ACT team provides 24/7 care and continuity of care (open-ended, lifelong). The outreach is assertive, and the team persists in the face of failure. Open Sky is seeking a Substance Abuse Counselor to Join our ACT Team!

Benefits:

Excellent supervision (both individual and group)

Career Pathing for multiple licensure options ( LADC, CADC and other LPHA options)

Twenty-seven paid days off in your first year, with added time each additional year

Competitive benefits package

We are an eligible employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program and provide tuition reimbursement for continuing education, as well as full reimbursement for CNA certifications and a variety of Human Service certifications

Responsibilities:
Operate within the Housing First Principles in order to set a foundation for pursuing health and recovery goals with people served.

Create and maintain a housing directory including contact information for all owners, developers, housing authorities, and other community organizations with available housing options.

Assist people served to access and/or provide needed transportation.

Collaborate with the stakeholders to establish treatment goals, determine housing and service needs, and eliminate barriers to housing.

Assist person served to identify ideal housing environment, compare to available housing, work together to determine best match.

Demonstrate respect for all members regardless of ability status, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or ethnicity.

Develop a Support Plan with the member that guides services in a way that is consistent and supportive of other existing comprehensive care plans.

Implement interventions as identified in the Support Plan and document Member progress to maintain a permanent record of activity and services provided.

Act as a liaison between members, community agencies, and families to coordinate treatment, including: employment and education entities, Care Coordination entities, Emergency Service Providers, outpatient clinics, and others.

Provide temporary assistance with transportation to essential medical and behavioral health appointments while transitioning to community-based transportation resources.

Provide and coordinate crisis response supports to members as necessary.

Communicate all potential risk-related and other pertinent information to program leadership according to established program and Agency procedures.

Participate in the On-Call rotation.

Qualifications:
Bachelor's Degree in Social Services preferred. High School Diploma,, one to two years related experience and driver's license required. At least one year of experience working with adults experiencing homelessness with serious and persistent mental illness and/or substance use disorders. Experience with local housing resources, benefits resources and excellent communication, documentation, time management and organizational skills strongly preferred.

Open Sky celebrates diversity and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with federal and state employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or disabled Veteran status.