Triage Management Coordinator - Youth and Young Adult Liaison (Homeless Services Bureau)

The Commission's Homeless Services Bureau, in existence since 1983, has extensive experience providing integrated primary health, substance abuse, and mental health services to homeless individuals. We offer transitional health and social assistance to homeless Bostonians, including emergency shelter and permanent supportive housing throughout the city and a broad range of rehabilitative services. Our programs are part of a continuum of care designed to help homeless individuals achieve independent living in permanent housing in the community. We are one of the largest providers of emergency shelter in New England, running two emergency shelters, which operate 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and providing more than 5,000 homeless individuals annually with food, beds, lockers, emergency clothing, health care, case management, and housing services. Utilizing a Housing First framework, the Youth and Young Adult Liaison will work with our partners from Bridge Over Troubled Waters (BOTW) to immediately identify, outreach and engage Young Adults accessing our Shelters and connect them to youth-centric programs with a goal of permanent housing. The Liaison will provide immediate Triage Services to Young Adults before connecting them with BOTW for the provision of more intensive housing services which are essential to help homeless individuals navigate the complexity in obtaining housing.

The Liaison will serve as the point of contact with BOTW in all matters relating to the planning, implementation, review, and reporting requirements of the YHDP Grant, and will be responsible for cross-agency communication, team building, meetings, support, and troubleshooting. They will also be responsible for ensuring that embedded BOTW staff have the necessary equipment and supports to perform their tasks and will organize and facilitate regular team meetings between BPHC and BOTW to ensure compliance with grant requirements and to discuss progress of agreed upon goals.

Duties

• Responsible for the overall operation, supervision and development of the Front Door Triage's Youth and Young Adult Component. The department provides assessment, referral and placement services to all new homeless guests entering emergency shelter. The Youth Liaison will be responsible for those guests between the ages of 18 - 24.
• Responsible for recruitment, training, scheduling, and direct supervision of assigned staff.
• Engages with all clients using a housing-first approach.
• Completes triage assessment on all new shelter guests to determine immediate level of need and assertively move guests on a quick path out of shelter by implementing a diversion plan or making a referral to housing department.
• Work in collaboration with the Clinicians of the Social Work Department, to ensure that clients presenting with acute mental health symptoms are assessed for the most appropriate services and/or referral.
• Work in collaboration with APTRSS Bureau for placement into substance abuse treatment if needed.
• Provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling to new shelter guests.
• Develops and maintains referral sources for homeless guests by establishing contacts and working in collaboration with area social services agencies.
• Works closely with internal departments to coordinate and facilitate services.
• Maintains up to date and accurate progress notes and records for the department, including HMIS.
• Works on developing program policies, record keeping and communication systems to ensure a unified Front Door Triage and Assessment model for City of Boston.
• Assists in compiling records and statistical reports.
• Attends assigned meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with minimum of one (1) year supervisory experience and two (2) years human service experience or College level course work equivalent to an Associate's degree with (2) years minimum supervisory experience and three (3) years human service experience.
• Previous experience working with homeless, diverse ethnic, racial and low-income populations with an understanding of mental health, substance abuse and recovery issues.
• Experience in transitional housing or community residential programs helpful.
• Strong organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of Boston area social service agencies. Computer literacy required.
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere. Basic computer skills required.
• Valid driver's license and good driving record.
• Bi-Lingual/Spanish speaking strongly preferred

Additional Information

City of Boston Residency Required, A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for., This position requires direct client/patient contact and as a result of such direct contact, certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties., Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification, This is a grant funded position, The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply

Union Status

Grade 2

Pay

$933.49/Weekly

Shift

Tuesday to Saturday (Sunday and Monday off); 8AM to 4PM