Intake Specialist

ABOUT US

First Place for Youth is the largest provider of housing and comprehensive services for transition-age foster youth in the state of California. We’re giving young people the tools, support, and opportunities they need to take control of their own lives and create the futures they want. We’ve built a 20+ year record of success, measured not just by the number of youth who walk through our doors, but by the outcomes they achieve.

Job Summary

The Intake Specialist is responsible for ensuring program census through ongoing outreach, assessment, and eligibility verifications of applicants. Adhering to program elements, the Intake Specialist provides or oversees all aspects of the admission process for all youth including verifying youths eligibility, program day, pre-admission assessments, initial service planning, coordination with housing, and presentation and warm hand-off to the services team. The Intake Specialist works directly with county placement partners including convening initial team meetings and encouraging participation and providing outreach to youth services teams to increase awareness of program and generate referrals. The Intake Specialist individualizes the approach for each young person including gathering relevant documents, consulting with appropriate stakeholders and vital supporters (as identified and consented by youth), and initiating conversations about goals and expectations of participants.

Essential Duties and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Oversee and be the point person for both Alameda and San Francisco Counties referrals. Stay in constant and positive communication with both county representatives to facilitate clear and concise time lines.
• Verify youth’s eligibility via foster care county social workers, documentation or homeless verification letters. If youth are not qualified, provide resources or referrals to other programs. Provide walk-in hours for youth inquiring about program.
• Complete and document applicant interest in program, assessment, participation in program day and all other intake related activities.
• Liaise with county workers from child welfare, probation, and/or YDS workers. Invite and ensure participation in assessment activities and, where possible, initial team meetings.
• Develop (as needed) and provide tools to youth to assist with decision making and to ensure youth participation in strength and needs assessments and goal setting
• As appropriate, and with release of information, gather information from stakeholders – e.g. teachers, social workers, family members, behavior health providers, etc – as part of assessment process
• Lead staff meetings such as meet & greet with upper management and team meetings to confirm and coordinate youth entry into program. Provide accurate assessment information – through presentation of psycho-social, needs and strengths and other relevant assessment data to the services team. Include identification of potential stress points, potential antecedents, and strategies to mitigate or reduce risk.
• Facilitate coordination with youth and team to introduce youth to program and team for a successful entry.
• Coordinate closely with Housing Department and Services staff to ensure seamless entry into program and warm hand-off to jump start participant success. Include assurance of unit certification, roommate meeting, and initial safety-focused action plan.
• Provide clear information to potential participants and consumers (such as county welfare workers, YDS staff, probation officers and other referring parties) regarding My First Place.
• Complete accurate, on-time documentation and update information in Apricot
• Participate and provide clinical leadership in staff and clinical meetings. Attend weekly individual meeting with supervisor.
• Complete project assignments related to intake and transition of youth as assigned. When possible, act as field consultant for Masters level interns who can implement strategies and projects to support youth transitions in and out of program.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organization and within respective department
• Facilitate and lead THP+ referral coordination for Alameda County in partnership with 4 other THP+ programs. In addition, assure effect communication with other providers, youth applying and county representatives.
• Continue to evaluate intake process to adjust and accommodate to staff and youth needs.
• Build relationships with partnership, especially ILSP SF/Alameda in order to continual effectively serving youth and bridging gaps between providers and services.
• Other duties as assigned

POSITION COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA in social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent required with Minimum four years of experience working in a child welfare social services setting or with transition age youth with complex presentations including chronic trauma.
• Master's Degree in a social work, psychology, counselling or equivalent preferred.
• Professional License is a plus.
• Must be comfortable working in community settings
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
• Willingness to work collaboratively; capacity to work independently.
• Must be able to pass Community Care Licensing background check.
• Must have a dependable car, valid driver’s license, and proof of insurance
• Commitment to cultural competency and diversity – Deep commitment to social justice and systems change that addresses barriers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.