Program: DSCS Access Point

Reports To: Clinical Care Coordinator

Schedule: Full-Time, 40 Hours Per Week

Compensation: $29.81 Per Hour, Full-time. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, acupuncture, mental health Teladoc, Long term disabilities, and Life insurance; generous vacation, sick leave, winter recess, and holidays; Flexible Spending Account, commuter benefits, and 403(b).

To Apply: Resumes submitted without a cover letter will not be considered

Organization:

Founded in 1983, Dolores Street Community Services (DSCS) is a multi-issue, multi-strategy nonprofit organization, based in San Francisco's Mission District. Our mission is to nurture individual wellness and cultivate collective power among low-income and immigrant communities to create a more just society. We provide direct services to meet immediate needs, as well as affect broader change by engaging in advocacy and community organizing, working on a wide range of issues from homelessness to housing to immigration to employment. We believe deeply that these issues are interconnected and that solidarity and the linking of these issues is core to our work in our efforts to create a more just society.

About the Program:

In July 2021, DSCS will be launching an Access Point in the Mission District as part of the Adult Coordinated Entry System and in partnership with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH). The purpose of the Coordinated Entry System is to ensure that all people experiencing housing instability are identified, assessed, and matched to appropriate housing opportunities. Through problem solving and housing navigation services, Coordinated Entry seeks to minimize homelessness and help individuals move into safe, stable, and dignified housing.

Coordinated Entry incorporates a system-wide housing first approach and uses standardized tools, assessment, and referral processes to determine and secure the most appropriate response to each client's immediate and long-term housing needs.

Position Description:

Problem Solving provides opportunities to prevent people from entering the Homelessness Response System and to redirect people who can resolve their homelessness without the need for ongoing support. It is an approach that empowers households facing a housing crisis to explore and identify possible solutions outside of the Homelessness Response System (i.e. solutions that do not rely on shelter or housing resources).

The Problem Solving Specialist will provide one-on-one support, assistance, and resources to individuals experiencing homelessness. The Specialist will work closely with the Licensed Care Coordinator and Housing Navigators to provide coordinated assessment and services to clients. The position will work primarily out of the Access Point based in the Mission and will be asked to visit other DSCS sites as needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Screen and assess single adults experiencing homelessness using standardized tools, prioritization, and referral protocols.
• Using a collaborative, client-centered, and trauma-informed approach, support single adults in avoiding entry to shelter or the experience of street homelessness by identifying creative solutions to exiting homelessness.
• Analyze information, problems, situations, and procedures in order to define any barriers to a Problem Solving resolution.
• Engage participants in problem solving conversations to assess for additional resources available within the participant's own network.
• Recognizing each service seeker's unique situation, support individuals to look for creative solutions that can be quickly implemented.
• Provide crisis intervention assistance as needed.
• Based on the client assessment and using the ONE System, make prioritized referrals into housing programs and internal DSCS Housing Navigation services.
• Conduct immediate and long-term follow-up to ascertain the effectiveness of Problem Solving activities.
• Keep accurate records and enter required data in ONE System.
• Provide professional, accessible, and culturally relevant support, advocacy, and information to program participants.
• Work within and promote the integrated services team model in an environment dedicated to harm reduction, recovery, and wellness.
• Serve as liaison to community-based and governmental service partners as requested.
• Participate in staff training, staff meetings, and development activities as directed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Organizational Duties:

• Conduct business in accordance with the DSCS Employee Handbook, exercising sound judgment and serving the best interests of the agency and the community.
• Commit yourself to treating each community member with respect and dignity.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least 2 years of direct service experience in case management, counseling, or a similar field.
• Demonstrated knowledge/experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Bilingual (written and oral) in Spanish preferred.
• Experience with crisis intervention, establishing boundaries, conflict resolution, and de-escalation.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency with basic computer programs including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel. Knowledge of the ONE System preferred.
• An understanding of intersectionality and the needs of communities impacted by homelessness in San Francisco, particularly in the Mission District.
• A strong commitment to housing justice, as well as inclusive and multi-cultural programming.
• COVID vaccination required.
  

Dolores Street Community Services is an equal-opportunity employer that seeks applicants of the greatest diversity possible, including women, people of color, lesbian/ gay/ bisexual/ transgender individuals, people living with HIV and persons with disabilities.