Forensic Housing Support Specialist at Thurston Mason BH-ASO/OHRS

Lacey, Washington, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

10 Jan, 26

Salary

37.45

Posted On

12 Oct, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Housing Support, Case Management, Trauma-Informed Care, Behavioral Health, Community Outreach, Landlord Tenant Law, Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, Resource Coordination, Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Competence, Documentation, Collaboration, Problem Solving, Self-Sufficiency, Recovery Model

Industry

Mental Health Care

Description

Job Details Job Location: TMBH-ASO/OHRS - Lacey, WA Position Type: Full Time Education Level: High School/GED Salary Range: $27.51 - $37.45 Hourly Job Shift: Day Description Are you passionate about helping people break cycles of homelessness, justice involvement, and behavioral health challenges? Olympic Health and Recovery Services (OHRS) is looking for a compassionate and motivated Housing Support Specialist to join our team in supporting individuals through the Forensic Housing and Recovery through Peer Services (FHARPS) program. The FHARPS Housing Support Specialist provides housing-focused case management for individuals involved in the forensic system, using a Housing First approach grounded in a trauma-informed lens. Under the supervision of the Housing Program Supervisor, this role supports participants through housing search and placement, service coordination, and ongoing support to maintain permanent housing. The specialist may be responsible for maintaining a caseload and provides housing-related support to other team members and the Trueblood Houses. Collaboration with internal programs, legal providers, and community organizations is essential, along with accurate documentation and service tracking. Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Salary Range: $27.51-$37.45 per hour based on education, experience, and parity within our organization. Benefits TMBH-ASO/OHRS provides comprehensive benefits for full-time employees including medical/dental/vision plan options (many with no employee paid monthly premium depending on plan choice, and dependent coverage options), and life insurance and disability insurance options. Eligible employees participate in WA State PERS retirement plans and employees may elect additional pre and post tax deferred compensation retirement options. Employees receive a PTO package earning a minimum of 140 hours annually and 12 paid holidays. Other tax deferred options include Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) . OHRS is an approved Public Student Loan Forgiveness employer. We pay the fees for required DOH licenses for the position, and we offer annual professional development funds. Find more information at www.tmbhcareers.org. Key Responsibilities Serve as the housing specialist for the three OHRS Trueblood Houses, coordinating move-ins/outs, housing inspections, resident meet-and-greets, work orders, and collaborating with house staff and supervisors. Maintain familiarity with Landlord Tenant Law/ RCWs and ensure that OHRS follow applicable laws for housing programs. Recruit and cultivate relationships with landlords and property management agencies, leading to more housing options for FHARPS participants. Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on the client’s behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain and or maintain housing. Maintain familiarity with and apply rent/lease information and assistance (e.g. notices, evictions, housing support, rent collection) to educate participants about their rights and responsibilities. Coordinate with community partners, legal providers, and internal programs for referrals, braided funding, and long-term supports. Working with participants while in temporary housing or houseless, including living on the street, shelters or hotels. May be responsible for a caseload of FHARPS participants. Provides case management services to FHARPS enrolled participants to include completing assessment of needs, developing a person-centered goal/service plan, supporting participant with achieving their goal/service plan, and connecting enrolled participants to resources and services focused on access to and retention in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Conducts regular in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, court systems, and additional agencies to locate and/or (re)engage FHARPS participants. Must be able to gain clearance to enter local jails. Complete intake paperwork and services in jails, in-patient psychiatric facilities, SUD treatment facilities, and in the general community to determine housing and service needs. Provide pro-active follow-up home visits to ensure stability and further progress towards self-sufficiency; this includes support, advocacy, reducing isolation, listening, problem solving, and identification of resources to assist with reintegration of participants in the community. Assist participants in development of a strength-based, Person -centered housing stability plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency. This shall include intake interviews to determine a Participant’s needs, barriers, and goals. Coordinates and linking the recipient to services including primary care and health homes; substance use treatment providers; mental health providers; medical, vision, nutritional and dental providers; vocational, education, employment and volunteer supports; hospitals and emergency rooms; probation and parole; crisis services; end of life planning; and other support groups and natural supports. Coordinates with other Trueblood projects to include Forensic Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (FPATH), Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP), the Forensic Navigators (FN), Crisis Housing Vouchers (CHV), and others to provide effective case management services and care coordination. Transport participants as deemed necessary. Transportation requirements should be limited to housing and job searches and occasional visits to relevant social service agencies. Collect and report program data, including but not limited to HCA reporting and funders’ required data. Participates in monthly meetings with system partners and Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Diversion Navigator (DN), and in other meetings with Health Care Authority (HCA) and DSHS program leads. Develops relationships with available community resources and provides coordination, support and advocacy services to program participants and their families facing a variety of challenges. These challenges may include a history of homelessness, chronic mental, behavioral or other health issues, legal challenges and/or substance use issues. Develops and maintains partnerships with local behavioral health, housing, and healthcare agencies to streamline referrals to additional services and enhance a Continuum of Care for eligible participants. Maintain accurate and timely clinical records documentation in accordance with Federal, State, County, and treatment program requirements under the clinical supervisor's direction. Accurately and timely track and record money spent on behalf of participants. Maintain accurate daily logs records, monthly outcome reports, and files for each client. Responsible for maintaining referral, requisition, and vendor forms, and additional documentation for FHARPS participants and program requirement Qualifications Education and Experience Washington State Dept of Health (DOH) Agency Affiliated Counselor is required. Bachelors degree in social services, Associates Degree in social services and two years of experience, four years of experience working in behavioral health, social justice, or housing services or an equivalent combination. Experience working with individuals with behavioral health needs. Experience working with landlords and property management agencies. Experience with providing outreach and successful engagement to a diverse population, includes working with clients, developing trust and conducting interviews in non-traditional settings and unstructured environments. Must have satisfactory background checks as required by state and federal contracts. Must have satisfactory Motor Vehicle Report. Valid Washington State driver's license and proof of insurance or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation. Skills and Abilities Ability to navigate and access systems, resources and services related to emergency, transitional, supportive, and permanent housing. Ability to promote activities that foster recovery, self-efficacy, and empowerment. Ability to utilize the Recovery Model, Evidence Based Practices and effectively engage with program participants. Ability to navigate and access systems related to, but not limited to, food, cash, and other medical public benefits through Apple Health, DSHS, and Social Security Department. Ability to navigate and access systems, resources and services related to Behavioral health Services, medical and/or dental care, and basic needs. Ability to utilize various skills, methodologies, and approaches including motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm reduction approach. Familiarity with trauma-informed care for people with complex needs. Knowledge of symptoms, common behavioral and social characteristics, and other manifestations of the behavioral health challenges affecting the population served. Knowledge of the various presentations of behavioral health related illnesses the participants may experience. Ability to work in high stress, high demand environment while communicating clearly and effectively. Ability to write clear and concise clinical documents, reports, and correspondence including documentation of all client interactions utilizing DAP style documentation within 24 business hours. Ability to work collaboratively utilizing strong written and verbal communication skills as part of a multidisciplinary team while respectfully managing differences, opposing perspectives, opinions, and interests. Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to change while maintaining effective time management skills. Knowledge of and ability to recognize compassion fatigue and the need for self-care. Strong critical thinking skills, ability to conceptualize and implement creative solutions. Promote and champion the values of partnership, teamwork, compassion and integrity in all dealings within and outside of OHRS. Familiarity and knowledge of best practices for alcohol/drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, mental health, and developmental disabilities programs as well as with local social service agencies. Ability to establish and maintain trusting and supportive relationships as well as provide inspiration and motivation to individuals transitioning towards recovery. Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as the ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds and/or cultures. Ability to work closely in a culture of teamwork, collaboration, and collegiality with program participants, other OHRS staff, and outside agencies. Ability to utilize a personal computer with applicable software to successfully perform essential job functions of the position including electronic health records system, email, word processing, spread sheet, analysis, information retrieval, and tracking. Ability to maintain flexibility and willingness to perform other tasks as assigned. Must have a strong commitment to the right and the ability of each person with a severe mental illness to live in within the community of their choice; work in market jobs; and have access to helpful, adequate, competent, and continuous supports and services. It is essential that the peer specialist have skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illnesses and respect for individuals’ rights and personal preferences in treatment is essential. Working Conditions Primarily works in the community including jails, residential facilities, individual’s homes, and in an office environment. Conducts outreach in community-based settings and/or street encampments. Community- based setting are subject to weather conditions. Conducts in-reach to local jails, hospitals, crisis facilities, and court facilities. Regular use of fleet vehicles and/or personal vehicles may be required for service provision in the region including transportation of participants in fleet vehicles. Regular, in person, predictable attendance is necessary for participant support and team engagement. May require availability to work flexible hours. Dress is professional and appropriate for community-based settings. Moderate physical exertion is required. May be required to sit, stand, squat, walk short to moderate distances on uneven terrain, lift or move boxes/equipment weighing up to 25 lbs. Outreach may be performed in outdoor settings and subject to weather conditions. This position will expose you to conversations about suicide, mental health issues and staff responding to crisis situations. Often performed under physically demanding, stressful, and environmentally diverse conditions, and requires the ability to adjust quickly to changing priorities and demands.

Responsibilities

The Housing Support Specialist provides housing-focused case management for individuals involved in the forensic system, supporting them through housing search, placement, and ongoing support. This role requires collaboration with various stakeholders and accurate documentation of services provided.