Domestic Violence Housing Specialist

Job Description

Position: DV Housing Specialist

Classification: Non-Exempt

Supervised by: Director of Housing

Supervises: N/A

Home Start’s vision is for every child to have a safe, stable, and nurturing home. Guided by our mission to assure the safety and resiliency of children by strengthening families and their communities, Home Start, Inc., a non-profit child abuse prevention, and treatment agency has strengthened and developed San Diego’s families and communities since 1972.

Home Start, Inc. operates programs designed to prevent homelessness, interrupt the cycle of homelessness, and promote self-sufficiency. With rising rates of homelessness in San Diego exacerbated by the pandemic, our programs are designed to ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.

Job Summary: The DV Housing Advocate and DV Housing Specialist provides services and housing stability for survivors of domestic violence. The DV Advocate and DV Housing Specialist work collaboratively to help clients navigate the legal system and access support services. The DV Advocate and DV Housing Specialist are integral in connecting clients to housing resources and securing safe housing. After a client is enrolled and assessed, staff determine and provide the needed level of financial assistance to obtain safe housing or address any other urgent needs. This position also provides referrals, conducts safety plans, and assists with other service connections. This position is part of an interdisciplinary team providing innovative services using best practices including trauma-informed care, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing, and client-centered strength-based case management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provides support services for survivors of domestic violence that are self-referred or referred by partner agencies.

Completes a thorough assessment of all participants to determine barriers, resource needs, and other factors related to case planning.

Provides crisis intervention, supportive counseling, risk assessment, and safety planning.

Assists with legal system navigation, obtaining emergency protection orders, securing victim compensation, accessing a wide range of community resources, and linkage to safe and stable housing.

Work to effectively meet clients’ needs and address barriers through follow-up, advocacy, and collaboration with partner agencies and other community service providers.

Assist clients in developing a housing stability plan, identifying housing options, and providing financial assistance for secure safe housing or other immediate needs.

Negotiates lease terms, utility deposits, security deposits, and move-in fees.

Assists with the move-in process, helps participants obtain household items, and provides other support to help clients maintain their independent living.

Maintains confidential client services data, generates reports, updates case notes, collects backup documentation for financial assistance, logs services, and submits required reports to funders.

Participates in the DV council, collaborative meetings, and training sponsored by partners to maximize knowledge of and access to a range of victim services.

Participate in individual supervision, team meetings, agency meetings, and training.

Utilize various best practices for service delivery such as Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, crisis intervention, and client-centered strengths-based case management.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Must be vaccinated from Covid-19.

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in social work, psychology, education and/or related human services field required

Extensive knowledge or experience working with victims of crime.