Website Street Outreach Program
Make a difference in the lives of homeless youth! New Beginnings is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse racial, ethnic, sexual/gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
New Beginnings is hiring talented and enthusiastic people who are committed to our mission to partner with youth to create lasting change, so all youth have a safe place to live and opportunities to grow. Since 1980, we’ve helped children, teens, and young adults find safety, build connections, and access the opportunities for growth that they need to thrive. Our comprehensive services prevent young people from becoming homeless, support struggling families, and help vulnerable youth grow into stable and healthy adults.
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We’re seeking a motivated social services professional/case manager who is flexible, knowledgeable about Maine’s subsidized housing system, and passionate about helping vulnerable young people find and maintain stable housing. This new position will serve as a housing specialist within our multi-program case management team and work with youth from both our Outreach Drop-In Center and Transitional Living (TLP) Programs in Lewiston. The ideal candidate will be able to engage youth who are disconnected from traditional services and at high risk for exploitation; know how to support youth in creating service plans and then provide coaching, modeling, and practical assistance with accomplishing their life skills and housing goals; have experience helping low-income people access housing and mainstream resources (income/G.A., mental health, social services, etc.); and be able to build rapport through an atmosphere of trust, respect, and equity with youth and community members. Familiarity with positive youth development/agency models of care and prior experience working with unhoused folks or LGBTQ+ youth a plus!
The Community Case Manager is supervised by the Residential Director and provides case management and housing navigation services to New Beginnings’ youth and young adult clients living in Lewiston utilizing HOME-ARP funded supportive services (e.g. housing counseling, navigation to acquire permanent housing, outreach, financial and rental assistance to prevent homelessness). The Case Manager develops a network of community resources and supports to meet the needs of this population and works collaboratively with other service providers in obtaining a range of services that may be necessary to promote transition to stable housing.
JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Case Management and Housing Navigation
— Provides navigation services to support the youth in acquiring permanent housing and outreach.
— Assesses client needs and develops individual plan of care for assigned clients
— Maintains client records (Apricot electronic client record, progress notes, paper and electronic forms & releases, etc.)
— Prepares discharge summaries on assigned clients
— Advocates for youth in the community and teaches self advocacy skills to youth
— Transports and accompanies clients to meetings as appropriate
— Meets, at least weekly, with caseload of current clients and at least monthly with youth receiving aftercare services
- Other
— Participates in monthly case management meetings.
— Participates in program development and innovation of services as needed
— Represents New Beginnings’ in the community as needed
— Assists Director with compiling participating client data for HOME-ARP reporting
— Other duties as may be prescribed by the Program Director
QUALIFICATIONS
Eduation and Training: Bachelor’s degree required in a human service related field or Bachelor’s degree in a non-human service related field and 2 years Human services experience. A minimum of one year of experience working with homeless or high-risk youth is required.
Specialized Skills: Valid driver’s license and driving record which meets insurance requirements and reliable transportation; basic counseling and crisis intervention skills; knowledge of community resources and understanding of public assistance programs; ability to teach independent living skills experientially; basic knowledge of substance abuse, mental health, and sexual abuse fields. Transporting youth to appointments in worker’s own vehicle. (Staff will receive mileage reimbursement.)
Cognitive Requirements: Good problem-solving; literacy and general knowledge on at least a college graduate level.
Physical Requirements: Ability to participate in daily life skills activities with youth. Ability to climb stairs, teach and assist youth in routine household chores, accompany youth to community resources and participate in recreational activities.
Work Environment: Community based settings (TLP apartments, client’s homes, Drop-In Center, etc.); work involving some evenings and weekends; much time spent in community environment; transportation in own and agency vehicles; recreational/outdoor activities.
Wage (Hourly/nonexempt): $23/hour DOE
Generous Benefits, including:
- 100% Agency Paid Health Insurance Coverage for Employees
- Affordable Dental Insurance Coverage
- Life Insurance, Disability, and Short & Long-Term Care
- 33 Days of Accrued Earned Time per Year
- 403(b) Retirement Plan
TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience along with your résumé to hr@newbeginmaine.org.