System Navigator Family Ed/Child Care

Heading Home's mission is to end homelessness in Greater Boston by providing a supported pathway to self-sufficiency that begins with a home, together with critical services such as life skills, financial literacy, and job training.

Founded in 1974, Heading Home is a leading provider of housing and support services for extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness in Greater Boston. For nearly 50 years, we have successfully helped thousands of people end their homelessness.

As an agency, our services are diverse; we provide emergency, transitional, and permanent housing, and support services, to extremely low-income individuals and families currently or formerly experiencing homelessness.

We are proud to share that for 16 years running, Heading Home's permanent housing retention rates have been 90%+. Last year, 97% of Heading Home clients remained housed after one year.

Job Title:System Navigator – Education & Childcare
Reports To: Program Manager of Economic Mobility Services
Location: Boston, MA 02115
Position Type: Full Time, Salary Non-Exempt
Education Level: Bachelors
Hourly Rate: $24.00 - $25.00

Job description

OVERVIEW:

The System Navigator - Economic Mobility will assist in the delivery of financial education and resources to Heading Home clients. This person will work closely with direct service program staff in Emergency Assistance (EA) Family Shelter program, Family Transitional Housing program, Family Permanent Supportive Housing program and Individual Services Permanent Supportive program to ensure that clients are making progress towards economic self-sufficiency.

The System Navigator – Family Education/Child Care will facilitate families in accessing obtaining educational and child care opportunities as needed when one of these needs is impacting a participant’s ability to be permanently housed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform client assessments on referred clients to determine education and childcare needs.
• Facilitate connecting clients to needed services.
• Assist clients in applying and obtaining educational services as needed.
• Assist client in accessing and obtaining child care resources as needed.

• Work closely with EA family shelter staff to collaborate and communicate regarding services being arranged for clients.
• Follow up with clients and staff to ensure client is receiving education/childcare services.
• Record client data as directed by supervisor or Director of Data and Research.
• Complete case notes identifying interventions provided and client progress in obtaining and maintaining needed services, in a timely fashion
• Act as a liaison and advocate between educational and child care systems and clients.
• Attend training and certifications as required for program compliance.
• Take on additional tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Heading Home, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or other legally protected status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Work Environment Cubicle space within large office building; prolonged sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

• Minimum two years’ experience working with people experiencing homelessness or low- income populations.
• Thorough knowledge of how to apply to educational opportunities for adults and school-aged children.
• Thorough knowledge of childcare resources and process to obtain childcare.
• Sufficient knowledge of public transportation system to direct clients to appointments when applicable.
• Able to work effectively independently and in a team setting.
• Adequate computer skills to navigate online resources, enter data and prepare documents and/or reports.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field; Master’s degree preferred; any combination of education/experience that equips applicant to carry out the above listed responsibilities.