Youth Matcher

JOB TITLE: Youth Matcher (Housing Resources)

REPORTS TO: YCES Program Manager/Regional Coordinator

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS: Full-time, 40 hours/week, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE: Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION: Yes [ If yes, see driving policy below]

SALARY RANGE: $21.00 - $24.00/hr

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Youth Matcher (Housing Resources) is a critical role to the overall functioning of YCES in SPA 5. The Matcher is responsible for matching young people being served by YCES to available safe and stable housing resources and therefore is responsible for maintaining a live list of SPA 5 youth in need of housing as well as SPA 5 housing resources. That Matcher will work closely with the SPA 5 YCES Regional Manager to ensure proper implementation of all YCES contracts in SPA 5 as it relates to matching. The ideal candidate is extremely organized, a skilled communicator and is deeply aligned with SPY’s philosophical approach to youth housing, including housing first.diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Work within the Youth Coordinated Entry System (YCES) to match young people to housing resources across the continuum of care including bridge shelter, transitional housing, permanent and permanent supportive housing resources.

Adhere to LAHSA YCES Interim Guidelines applicable to matching responsibilities.

Develop understanding of different housing resources made available through YCES including their eligibility requirements, cultural approach, services provided and contact information.

Explore non-YCES housing programs in SPA 5 to build out an extended list of housing resources to support clients when YCES doesn't have available resources.

Develop close working relationships with local service providers, outreach workers, case managers, landlords and housing providers.

Utilize a harm reduction, trauma informed, housing first approach when working with youth and prioritize youth choice in their housing plan.

Provide mediation and crisis intervention to youth as needed.

Provide mediation and individualized care coordination to services providers as needed.

Support Points of Contact in timely completion of required forms, and up-to-date copies of all documentation (e.g. id’s, birth certificates, receipts, leases, income verification) as it relates to securing housing.

Retain thorough and diligent case notes to document progress towards housing as needed.

Participate in community and collaborative meetings related to YCES and housing as needed.

Complete and submit all required forms, case records, statistical reports and documentation to Program Managers as needed within designated time lines.

Lead case conferencing meetings with SPA 5 points of contacts to help make new matches and to stay up to date on any needs that have come up with youth enrolled in a housing program.

Work closely with LAHSA’s matching team including sending regular data reports, attending required meetings, and implementing new policies and best practices as released.

Develop and present training on YCES flow, interim guidelines and best practices for local services providers working with youth experiencing homelessness.

Work closely with Data and Impact Manager to maintain data on the progress of all matches sent as well as the housing status of all youth who have had the Next Step Tool in SPA 5, in addition to any other relevant data requests.

Additional ad-hoc tasks as required.

Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

Bachelor's Degree or Master’s in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related field is preferred.

1-2 years of experience using HMIS/CES Systems in input youth experiencing homeless is required.

1-2 years of experience using CHAMP is a plus.

1-2 years of experience in case management, counseling or related experience is required.

2+ years experience in homeless services is required.

Advanced verbal and written communication skills, including organizational, detail and interpersonal skills.

Advanced computer skills including word-processing, database operations, spreadsheet management and other software systems.

Working knowledge of trauma- informed, harm reduction and housing first service models.

Knowledge of social service resources for youth experiencing and at-risk of homelessness.

Prior knowledge of (Youth) CES and HMIS is a plus.

Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.

Must have reliable transportation, valid California driver’s license and proof of current insurance.