Family Support Specialist

Why Work For Simpson?

Our Mission is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness. We believe that everybody has the right to safe and affordable housing; we strive to strive to create a collaborative community with the individuals we serve, within Simpson, and with the greater community; and we advocate against the injustices of society that cause homelessness and poverty.

Simpson Housing Services Provides an Excellent Benefits Package to All Full-time Employees, Including:

• Generous PTO and 11 Additional Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and an HSA match
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Up to 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Free Annual Minnesota State Park Pass or Wellness Stipend
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Dental Coverage and Vision Discount Plan
• An Incredible Culture that Encourages Career Growth and Support!

Summary

This position works with families to improve the quality of individual lives, strengthen family functioning, and achieve independence through stable housing. This position is part of the family housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goals of the program are to partner with families to move into and retain stable housing, increase economic resources, and simultaneously address the needs of parents and children to improve outcomes for the whole family.

Simpson staff are expected to actively work toward an anti-racist culture at Simpson Housing Services and within the broader community.

Hours for this position are generally Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm, with some flexibility based on participant needs.

Responsibilities

Provide effective case management to participants families:

• Complete intakes and assist with housing placement of new participants.
• Orient participants to Simpson policies/procedures.
• Meet weekly for 60 minutes or more with families at their place of residence
• Partner with participants to develop self-defined goals focused on improving stability and achieving greater independence.
• Provide transportation assistance and accompany to appointments related to their goals.
• Support and explore community resources when participants are struggling with mental health concerns and healthy family functioning.
• Support skill development to achieve a greater level of autonomy.
• Simultaneously working with parents and children to improve health and educational outcomes and strengthen community connections.

Partner with participants for housing stability:

• Partner with participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper ID for self or children, evictions and/or criminal record expungement, etc.
• Build relationships with property managers and facilitate communication with families regarding finding and securing housing, ongoing tenancy concerns, and property issues.
• Partner with families to complete tenancy education to understand their lease and know their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
• Partner with participants to obtain furniture and other necessary household items.
• Partner with families to address housekeeping needs.
• Partner with participants to prepare for independent housing without services.

Partner with program participants to increase financial stability:

• Partner with participants to access and maintain government benefits
• Partner with participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
• Explore banking, savings programs, debt management, credit counseling, and budgeting tools to achieve a sustainable financial life.

Work as part of an effective team to meet goals of program:

• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team setting, with an emphasis on leadership,
• self-initiative, patience, creativity, maturity and tact.
• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings, other required meetings.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood and Children and Youth Specialists
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants.

Complete accurate and thorough documentation and recordkeeping in a timely manner:

• Maintain individual electronic ClientTrack files, including timely detailed case notes of each interaction.
• Maintain accurate records including time sheets, credit card statements, client expenses and mileage reimbursement.

Demonstrate essential knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to take initiative, work well independently, and manage time
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model
• Ability to communicate respectfully, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with participants, volunteers, staff and public

This position offers weekly in-home support to 15-20 participant families residing in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. This position works with families who are referred through Hennepin County Coordinated Entry. Participant populations may include those experiencing mental or chemical health issues, criminal histories, and domestic violence.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, or relevant experience is required.
• Driver’s License and access to a safe, reliable and insured vehicle
• Possess strong computer skills, with experience in Microsoft Office.
• Demonstrate ability to learn and use computer database for client records.

Desired:

• Minimum of 1-year experience in providing direct social services.
• Experience with low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, diverse populations, and those who have mental health, chemical use, and trauma histories.
• Lived experience with homelessness.