Day Center Specialist (Tuesday - Saturday 10Am - 6Pm)

POSITION SUMMARY
The Day Center Specialist (DCS) is a member of the Day Center Services Team at the 801 East Men's Shelter, which is funded by a grant agreement with the District's Department of Human Services (DHS). The DCS are both generalists (e.g., supportive case management, resource acquisition, care coordination, etc.) and ideally each will also have experience in some sub-specialty areas of service (e.g., mental health, substance use, trauma, co-occurring disorders, etc.). The DCS provides a range of individual and group supportive services as well as assistance with practical resources like the computer lab, barbershop, laundry room, showers, clothing boutique, etc. The DCS helps facilitate the Welcoming Station which assists people with getting to the service they need for the day which may include a shelter bed, a variety of case management services, primary care services, or accessing other on-site resources. The DCS also helps facilitate the Innovation Station and daily programming at the Day Center aimed at helping people amplify strengths, skills, and resources that facilitate overall wellness and recovery as well as addressing barriers to successful housing.
WORK SCHEDULE: Tuesday - Saturday 10AM - 6PM
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
GENERAL SERVICES PROVISION

• Engage assigned participants with Evidence Based Practices (EBP) to build trust/ develop rapport (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Stagewise Case Management, Trauma-Informed Care, etc.).
• Support participants with identifying strengths and opportunities.
• Provide In-Reach services at the shelter, recognizing that some participants will prefer to avoid service providers.
• Provide individual and group services.
• Track timely acquisition of needed services according to the Critical Time Intervention EBP, ensuring a regular and complete review of each client's progress toward acquisition of housing.
• Consult/team with Care Coordinator, Housing Navigator, Housing Focused Case Manager, Benefits Specialists, Peers, Employment Specialist, Respite Staff, and Health Clinic to ensure participants are receiving needed Day Center services.
• Serve as day-to-day liaison with Shelter Operations staff to facilitate admission to the shelter and appropriate acquisition of services.
• Connect participants with needed community-based support services and resources by scheduling appointments, participating in three-way check-ins (as appropriate and invited by the client).
• Participate as assigned in community-based coordination meetings.
• Conduct group workshops on a range of topics related to Housing acquisition (enrollment in appropriate Shelter services, participation in CAHP processes, pursuit of relevant housing services) in the Day Service Center.

DAY CENTER SERVICES

• In collaboration with Shelter Operations staff, assist clients with initial screening, intake, authorization, admission, successful utilization of services, review of services, and planning for graduation.
• Review Initial Referral Forms for completion, accuracy, and match to client's stated interests.
• Provide Services consistent with Trauma Informed principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.
• Provide individual and group services each day with evidence-based, best, and emerging practices that are responsive to the dynamic needs of participants
• Collaborate with appropriate teams in the referral, welcoming, and connection of new Day Program participants.
• Provide de-escalation services as needed.
• Plan and evaluate services with the client and their community-based teams in a spirit of collaboration and with a focus on the client's stated recovery goals.
• Cross-promote/share/educate other members of the 801 East teams including the Housing Focused Case Managers in the fundamentals of Day Center services.
• Facilitate educational and skills building workshops to help participants maximize success in the shelter and in the larger community (e.g., conflict resolution, self-care, motivational enhancement, goal setting, decision making, self-advocacy, psycho-education, etc.).

DOCUMENTATION & CARE REVIEW

• Participate in analysis of data-driven and qualitative feedback with the goal of improving service and outcomes.
• Assist in the development of daily, weekly, monthly and Quarterly reports for DHS and be familiar with the reporting functions off HMIS
• Enter accurate, complete, timely, and compliant documentation in required systems e.g., HMIS and other applicable databases.
• Document in HMIS all client meetings, collateral contacts, referrals, missed meetings, and any other relevant information pertaining to the client's progress towards integrated care.
• Participate in obtaining client/customer/stakeholder input/feedback and routinely review and incorporate information obtained via that process.
• Identify and manage risk posed during the delivery of Integrated Care and Respite Services. Understand, and report risk assessments to the assigned supervisor.
• Participate in review of client progress during supervision, huddles, team meetings and other evaluation sessions. Work with supervisor to effectuate needed changes.

In addition to role responsibilities, each staff member of Community Connections has the following responsibilities as a part of their employment:

• Models and reinforces Community Connections mission to provide behavioral health, residential services, and primary health care coordination for marginalized and disenfranchised women, men, youth, and children living in the District of Columbia, many of whom are coping with challenges including mental illness, addiction, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse.
• Models and reinforces Community Connections values of quality, innovation, respect, equity, and integrity daily.
• Reinforces Community Connection's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Protects the privacy of our consumer's protected health information by maintaining compliance with HIPAA and other relevant CC related IT security regulations.
• Completes and stays current on role specific and organizational wide training.
• Performs other duties as assigned on an as-needed basis.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in related health, human services, social services, nursing, or equivalent required; Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Public Health, or equivalent preferred.
• Actively licensed as a LGSW, LPGC, or CAC in the District of Columbia preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish is highly desired.
• Minimum 2 years' professional experience working in a related health, human service, or social services field required.
• Experience working with participants who have experienced homelessness and/or supportive housing required.
• Experience with the "Housing First" model preferred (And experiencing with Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, and Stagewise Case Management also a plus).
• Experience working individually and running groups with adults experiencing mental health, substance use, and or trauma preferred.
• Experience with non-profit organizations a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectivel.
• Effective interpersonal skills required, along with a high level of discretion and a manner of confidentiality.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Proficiency utilizing electronic health record systems, or client data/management information systems. Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) a plus.
• Organization skills and ability to pay attention to detail a plus.
• Service-oriented, diplomatic, and energetic.
• Ability to work proactively and independently in a fast-paced setting.
• Must think critically and ethically about service delivery.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and by phone with client population, network members and collaborative service partners.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to handle a diversity of assignments and to work under pressure.

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• May need to work non-traditional work hours such as weekends, evenings, observed holidays, and nights.
• This is an essential or critical position which will require reporting to a physical work location or making visits to consumers in the community as defined by the business needs of Community Connections, Inc.