Housing Advocate

The Heights Ellis County Family Resources

Midlothian, TX 76065, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Job Description

The Heights General Overview:

The Heights is a member of Alliance For Hope International that embodies the family justice center model. The Heights is one of about 300 centers who are a part of the affiliation all over the world.

The family justice center model was funded in 2003 by President George W. Bush and has been designated as a best-practice model for family abuse intervention and prevention by the U.S. Department of Justice.

A family justice center brings together multiple agencies under one roof seeking to allow victims of domestic abuse to tell their story one time and get all the help they need in one place.

The Heights FJC brings together crisis workers, law enforcement officers, EMT’s, medical doctors, nurses, CPS associates, social workers, government offices, community organizations, lawyers, the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office, Ellis County Judges, counselors, therapists, long term case mangers and the faith community to serve survivors with compassion and empathy.

All of these professionals work together to provide victims of crime and the community with safety, justice, hope, healing and peace

Direct Service Staff Overview:

The Heights direct service staff provides crisis intervention, case management services, advocacy, information, referrals, and practical assistance to survivors of violent crime, (victims of domestic abuse) providing client-centered safety assessments and risk management plans as well as long term case management.

General Responsibilities:

Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients;
Coordinate and manage client flow and information
Document client interactions and compile statistics on a monthly basis;
Provide daily accurate data collection and reporting to The Heights Staff to track basic client screening needs, client demographic information, client services provided at The Heights and other agency interactions.
The Heights Housing Advocate supports families in The Heights Housing Program by providing a continuum of support for survivors and their children as they move from crisis, often including situational homelessness, into transitional and permanent housing. This role is responsible for assessing client housing needs, developing individualized housing and stability plans, and providing case management services that promote long-term housing success while reducing barriers to housing stability. The Housing Advocate will also build relationships with landlords, coordinate with community partners, and ensure compliance with HUD and other funding requirements. The ideal candidate is a licensed social worker or case manager, with a growth path for those holding or willing to gain supervisory credentials to mentor and oversee interns.

Essential Job Functions:

Client Housing Support & Advocacy

Conduct comprehensive intake and housing needs assessments for individuals and families entering transitional or permanent housing programs.
Develop individualized housing stability plans in collaboration with clients, identifying goals for safety, housing, employment, financial literacy, and overall well being.
Assist clients in navigating the housing market, including landlord engagement, lease negotiation, and move-in support.
Provide ongoing case management and supportive services to ensure clients maintain stable housing and progress toward self-sufficiency.
Facilitate referrals for employment, childcare, education, healthcare, legal aid, counseling, and other supportive services.

Program Management, Data & Compliance

Document all services provided in accordance with HUD, CoC, and agency requirements, ensuring accurate and timely data entry into HMIS-comparable database.
Monitor client progress, maintain case records, and prepare reports as required by funding sources.
Collaborate with landlords, housing authorities, housing partners, and service providers to expand housing options and remove barriers for clients.
Complete routine housing checks, property inspections and safety certifications.
Contribute to continuous program improvement by identifying and documenting best practices and emerging needs in housing stabilization.
Primarily office-based with frequent local travel to housing sites, landlord meetings, and partner agencies.
Full-time position with flexibility for occasional evenings or weekends based on client, program or organizational needs.

Other Responsibilities:

Collaborate with other advocates, case managers, and leadership to coordinate care.
Participate in case conferencing, staff meetings, and coordinated entry processes.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and supervision sessions.
Uphold the mission, vision, values and culture of the Heights by demonstrating professional integrity at all times.
Staff the reception desk
Screen clients as needed to determine if clients are appropriate for The Heights services and make referrals as necessary;
Assess & determine clients' safety and needs;
Conduct homicide danger assessments in person or on the phone
Conduct full intakes in person
Develop a safety plan for each client
Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings
Assist in determining next steps for clients' visit to The Heights;
Work with on-site partners to schedule client appointments;
Answer telephones and respond to service inquiries;
Provide information, referrals and advocacy on the phone and in person;
Link the client to on and off site partners;
Attend court with clients
Accompany clients to the hospital as needed.
Attend relevant training, workshops and seminars;
Maintain cooperative working relationships with The Heights team and other service providers;
Perform other duties as assigned.

Report To:

Reports to Service Director (Currently)
Reports to Housing Coordinator (Future)

Interacts with:

The Heights staff and partners

Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field
Licensure as a social worker or case manager (LBSW, LMSW, or equivalent).
Minimum of 2 years of case management experience, preferably in housing programs or related HUD-funded services.
Preferred:

Master’s in Social Work (MSW).
Supervisor certification (LMSW-AP, LCSW-S, or equivalent), with eligibility to supervise interns.
Experience with HMIS and HUD housing programs (Rapid Rehousing, Transitional Housing, or Permanent Supportive Housing).
Familiarity with trauma-informed care, domestic violence dynamics, housing systems, family homelessness issues.

Qualifications:

Strong knowledge of housing resources, landlord relations, and housing-first principles.
Experience working compassionately with individuals in crisis, survivors of trauma, or vulnerable populations, with a commitment to trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under pressure.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; culturally competent and nonjudgmental.
Ability to maintain accurate documentation and comply with federal/state program requirements.
Must pass criminal background check and complete required DV advocate training.

Salary & Benefits

50K Annually
Major medical healthcare is paid in full by the employer with no additional costs for the employee, spouse, and children who live with employee under the age of 25.

Company DescriptionThe Heights is a member of Alliance For Hope International that embodies the family justice center model. The Heights is one of about 300 centers who are a part of the affiliation all over the world. The family justice center model was funded in 2003 by President George W. Bush and has been designated as a best-practice model for family abuse intervention and prevention by the U.S. Department of Justice.
A family justice center brings together multiple agencies under one roof seeking to allow victims of domestic abuse to tell their story one time and get all the help they need in one place. The Heights FJC brings together crisis workers, law enforcement officers, EMT’s, medical doctors, nurses, CPS associates, social workers, government offices, community organizations, lawyers, the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office, Ellis County Judges, counselors, therapists, long term case mangers and the faith community to serve survivors with compassion and empathy. All of these professionals work together to provide victims of crime and the community with safety, justice, hope, healing and peace.

Company Description

The Heights is a member of Alliance For Hope International that embodies the family justice center model. The Heights is one of about 300 centers who are a part of the affiliation all over the world. The family justice center model was funded in 2003 by President George W. Bush and has been designated as a best-practice model for family abuse intervention and prevention by the U.S. Department of Justice.\r\nA family justice center brings together multiple agencies under one roof seeking to allow victims of domestic abuse to tell their story one time and get all the help they need in one place. The Heights FJC brings together crisis workers, law enforcement officers, EMT’s, medical doctors, nurses, CPS associates, social workers, government offices, community organizations, lawyers, the Ellis County District Attorney’s Office, Ellis County Judges, counselors, therapists, long term case mangers and the faith community to serve survivors with compassion and empathy. All of these professionals work together to provide victims of crime and the community with safety, justice, hope, healing and peace.