Veteran Navigator

Company: St. Michael's Veteran's Center, Inc.
Location: Blue Springs
Posted on: September 17, 2022

Job Description:

St. Michael's Veterans Center (SMVC) provides quality, affordable housing to veterans experiencing homelessness or living with a disability in the Kansas City area. Since 2014, St. Michael's Veterans Center has served over 225 formerly homeless men, women and children. Our 24-acre campus is designed to empower veterans to work toward healthy reintegration with their families and communities by providing safe, permanent housing. St. Michaels connects veterans with the means and support necessary to achieve housing stability, long-term health and wellness, and financial stability. Our campus is a home and community where veterans can live their best lives and give back to their community.St. Michaels Veterans Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status or physical or mental disability. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, we will hire only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States (if the position is or will be one which is subject to U.S. law).Position Purpose:The safety sensitive veteran navigator delivers direct services and programs for veterans living on the campus and is the primary service provider to veterans applying to live at St. Michaels Veterans Centers waiting list with a focus on supporting veterans through the application process and developing emergency, transitional and permanent housing solutions. With a focus on sustaining permanent housing and encouraging participants to live their best lives, the veteran navigator will work within solution-focused and strengths-based models of supportive services. The veteran navigator will work within the NASW Code of Ethics and Fair Housing policies. The veteran navigator will participate in agency strategic planning, public awareness, relationship cultivation and fundraising.Responsibilities (include but are not limited to): Develop strategically focused veterans services and programs in collaboration with SMVC staff and volunteer leaders

• Lead program development and services for non-resident veterans with a focus on housing permanency (25% of role)
• Lead contact for veterans seeking housing at St. Michaels Veterans Center; conduct applicant assessments, and evaluate and approve veteran eligibility to live at St. Michaels Veterans Center
• Engage prospective veteran clients, identify a short-term and permanent housing plan, identify and address barriers to housing permanency, and provide post-housing services for at least six months
• Conduct appropriate screenings and assessments, e.g. VATS
• Lead SMVC outreach in the KC community (25% of role)
• Collaborate with community partners working together to create solutions to veteran homelessness, including Heart of American Stand Down, veteran placement meetings and coordinated entry coordinated by the Greater KC Coalition to End Homelessness
• Outreach to veterans experiencing homelessness, directly or through community partners, to present SMVC as a permanent housing option
• Establish strong community connections with the Veterans Administration, veterans service organizations, and nonprofits serving veterans and persons experiencing homeless; attend community meetings and fairs
• Become a community thought leader in addressing veterans needs
• Provide direct services and case management customized to veterans needs and goals (50% of role). Areas of support may include:
• Financial literacy
• Eviction prevention strategies,
• Establishing payees
• Employment support and information and support to complete applications for income benefits, e.g., VA pension and compensation
• Coordination of care with health care providers at the VA
• Onsite care coordination with home health providers
• Onsite care coordination with non-medical home care providers
• Education and applications for health and wellness benefits, e.g., Medicaid and HCBS;
• Mental health coaching
• Alcohol and drug addiction support including an AA on campus
• Aging in Place care coordination, e.g. DME, home-based services, connection to community providers and daily living skills assessment, and transfer to skilled care when needed.Be a part of building a vibrant community that takes care of our neighbors
  • Create a campus community culture that builds positive relationships and mutual support among residents.
  • Cultivate volunteers and encourage their deepening engagement at St. Michaels, establish volunteer management systems
  • Actively participate in the SMVC Leadership Council connecting the passion and commitment of these volunteer leaders with the needs and lives of the residents
  • Act with each resident/client in a way that demonstrates respect and builds their dignityEstablish and maintain administrative systems to efficiently run programs and services
    • Maintain and properly secure detailed client files including client assessments, goals, correspondence and progress notes
    • Maintain internal and external data systems to document client services and manage volunteer/donor relationships
    • Obtain resident signatures for Release of Information sheets in order to communicate with all necessary medical personnel and social service agencies providing services to residents
    • Maintain detailed information on all programs, activities and/or services and distribute to residents through monthly newsletter
    • Complete monthly, annual or grants reports as requiredParticipate in SMVC fundraising activities, as needed, including helping to articulate SMVC impactPerform other duties as requestedEssential Mental Alertness Requirements:
      • Work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner
      • Ability to perform tasks involving high levels of cognitive function and judgment
      • Not mentally or physically impaired from any cause that can adversely affect ability to safely and competently perform the duties of the position
      • Ability to take prompt and appropriate response to operating conditions
      • Ability to work in an unfatigued state
      • Ability to accurately gauge lengths of time and distance
      • Ability to quickly store and recall instructions in ones short-term memory
      • Ability to concentrate
      • Ability to cope with sudden changes in surrounding and/or emergency situations and/or alarms
      • Demonstrated caring, committed and concerned attitude about safetySkills and Competencies Required
        • Ability to implement solutions-focused and strengths-based methods for supporting residents/clients
        • Strong knowledge of community resources for veterans and persons who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness
        • Skilled at assessing client needs, developing strengths-based goals and connecting individuals to resources
        • Excellent organizational skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to deal with individuals who are in crisis
        • Good oral and written communication skills
        • Experience in problem solving and demonstrated skills in conflict resolution
        • Actively demonstrate high level of discretion and autonomy in regard to program development, resident life skill enhancement, and overall administrative tasks and duties as assignedPosition Requirements:Education: Bachelors degree in social work or human services required; Masters degree preferredExperience: 3-5 years of direct services; preferably working with persons experiencing homelessness and/or veteransPhysical: Ability to walk or stand for 25% of the day; ability to lift, push and pull up to 40 pounds.Job requires driving for company business:
          • Driver must have a valid drivers license and acceptable motor vehicle record with company insurance carrier
          • Driver must have reliable means of transportation
          • Driver must provide proof of personal auto liability insurance when using vehicles for company business
            
            #otherPandoLogic. Keywords: Veterans Affairs Representative, Location: Blue Springs, MO - 64015Required
            Preferred

            Job Industries

            • Customer Service

Keywords: St. Michael's Veteran's Center, Inc., Blue Springs , Veteran Navigator, Other , Blue Springs, Missouri