Family Advocate
13 days ago
Fort Lauderdale
Job DescriptionAbout HOPE South Florida HOPE South Florida (HOPE) is a nonprofit organization committed to serving the homeless population of Broward County. Our mission is to foster a HOPE-filled community that keeps families together while offering compassionate care, supportive services, and pathways to holistic life change. The Need The rising cost of living, coupled with a severe lack of affordable housing and shelter space, has forced an increasing number of families to live in their vehicles. Currently, more and more families in our community are experiencing homelessness, with the latest estimate from Broward County staff adding forty-one new families each month. Without safe and secure overnight options, these families face heightened risks and prolonged instability. Program Overview The Safe Overnight Parking program (the ‘Program’) will provide a temporary solution for families living in their vehicles by creating a secure and managed overnight parking space. This Program offers not only safety but also connects families with critical resources to transition to permanent housing. Families will pre-register at HOPE South Florida prior to moving to the parking location. Via established outreach norms, families will be registered into the continuum of care, receive professional case management, and obtain meals and support for their family. Your Passion: You absolutely love to see people succeed, demonstrating a very high level of compassion, guidance, and exhortation for those families whom you serve. You are resourceful and diligent, actively seeking housing placement for families experiencing homelessness. You desire to help families build resilience and independence, connecting them with individualized support, services, and specialized care. You serve intentionally with the love of Christ. You are: • Convinced a relationship with Jesus changes everything in a person’s life., • Committed to keeping your family as your first ministry., • Dedicated in your personal study of God’s Word., • Consistently placing a high priority on worship and your personal prayer life., • An excellent and generous steward of your personal finances., • Obedient to God to take a Sabbath and make space for soul-keeping., • Deeply compassionate towards people who are in need or hurting., • A part of a healthy friendship community and accountability circle., • Willing to give up personal pleasures and freedoms in order to live a life above reproach and that is aligned with our Team Member Handbook. You Will: * Provide case management and advocacy services to unhoused families, specifically, those living out of their vehicles and placed in HSF’s Safe Overnight Parking Program (HSF-SOP) * Conduct initial interviews/assessments/intake with individuals/families in the program office or their home and identify family housing barriers. * Gather and document necessary information for program eligibility and housing plans. * Develop and implement a housing plan with each family to ensure that adequate services are received to aid families in attaining and maintaining housing stability. Each case plan must include measurable goals, objectives, and progress notes. Provide support, encouragement, and accountability to the family in their daily activities to fulfill their case plans and maintain successful employment. * Collect and document all required family and program data for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and reports for the HOPE Executive Team, board of directors, and grantors. * Register unhoused families for HSF-SOP according to program guidelines. * Coordinate with HSF leadership, Security, the Host Site, volunteers, churches, civic groups and and referring partners. * Coordinate onsite meals weekly/monthly menu, food partners, delivery, setup/breakdown, and clean-up. * Follow-up with HSF-SOP families on status or progress of employment, education, medical, referral, and other outcomes., * Serve as the family’s advocate, fighting for their best possible outcomes and goals. * Ensure the confidentiality of all family information. * Ensure that services rendered are in a manner consistent with HOPE’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values. * Attend training and workshops to promote professional growth. You Have: • A bachelor's degree in psychology, human or social services, social work, or a related field from an accredited college or university., • One year of experience in the homeless/social services field, with an emphasis on housing placement experience preferred., • The ability to understand and empathize with families in need., • Excellent verbal and written communication skills including interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and interact well in person, through email, over the phone, and Zoom meetings., • Flexibility with the ability to prioritize, organize, multitask and complete projects on time and follow-through efficiently., • The ability to give biblical guidance over the phone and one-on-one., • A strong work ethic and ability to work with minimal supervision., • A calm and levelheaded demeanor when faced with pressing needs or difficulty in the moment., • The ability to keep confidential matters confidential., • Spiritual maturity with gifts of administration, service and exhortation., • Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License and car insurance., • Independent travel in the field., • Successful completion of a level 2 background check and drug screening., • Knowledge of homeless housing resources and community services., • Knowledge of housing placement and case management methods, procedures, and documentation., • Knowledge of external requirements that impact the residents such as the U.S. Dept of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, and Broward County Public Schools, etc., • Knowledge of relapse prevention strategies, life-skills, related to household stability, employability, and workplace expectations., • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, landlords, provider agencies, governmental organizations, and members of diverse cultural backgrounds., • Demonstrate high standards of personal performance in terms of accuracy, attention to detail, and thoroughness., • High level of organizational skill, attention to detail, and the ability to manage and prioritize projects at one time., • Ability to establish goals and objectives, and to implement an appropriate plan of action for each family., • Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, develop, and manage families' care plans, and other work assignments., • Ability to problem solve in a proactive, creative manner, using sound judgment based on information., • Ability to work both independently and as a team player forming positive, collaborative relationships with team members and partners of HOPE South Florida. It would be incredible if: • You are bilingual., • You know all of the best local spots to shop on a budget!, • You love to meet new people and find them interesting. What You Are Required to Know: • We are an EEO employer., • You may have to bend, sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, lift, pull, push and/or move up to 35 lbs., • You may have to work evenings and/or weekends to assist with special events or emergencies. Work Schedule: • Monday through Friday 8:30 - 5:30PM, • Staff culture is important to what we do. To love like family, we require all staff to attend all staff meetings, department meetings and serve with a willing heart especially at all major events.