Central Region Housing Specialist/Case Manager - Youth Services Counselor II

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Position will initially be required to be in office 5 days per week.  There will be an opportunity to go to a hybrid option that requires a minimum of 2 days In  office and maximum 3 days remote work.

About the unit - This work unit exists to provide a continuum of services for detained youth and youth who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. The unit also serves to represent the Division with local juvenile justice partnerships, committees, statutorily mandated boards, and governmental/private entities including but not limited to district attorneys, public defenders, county departments of human
services, judicial officers, juvenile probation, local school districts and mental health centers. This unit provides oversight and fiscal support for detention services that may include screening, assessment, community supervision and treatment of pre- adjudicated youth.

Through the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum. This unit also provides case management and juvenile parole services to youth committed to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. This includes planning and oversight for youth in residential placement, facilitation of multidisciplinary teams, the development of transition plans and parole plans, and the active monitoring of juvenile parolees in the community. The region is charged with ensuring the safety and security of each youth, staff, and the community according to Colorado law. The Central Region Office is responsible for resource development and management to facilitate service provision and includes but is not limited to personnel, and contract programs, throughout 11 counties and 5 judicial districts.

Purpose of the position - The position serves as the subject matter expert on housing resources for the regional office. The position identifies
resources for youth who will transition from a DYS secure facility or contract residential program to independent living and will need housing resources. The position will develop and maintain a library of resources in the primary geographical areas of the region. These resources may include but not be limited to; available apartments, food assistance, employment, setting up an apartment, mental health resources, medical resources, and any other essential services youth may require. The position will act as a liaison between State and local entities and the region in identifying, obtaining, and retaining housing vouchers for transitioning youth. The position will participate in relevant committees. workgroups, boards, and housing initiatives. The position will partner with the client manager of a youth paroling with a housing voucher, assisting the client manager in case management duties and planning for DYS discharge at the end of the parole period. The position will develop sustainability plans for youth and provide case management services up to a youth’s 26th birthday to youth who voluntarily participate. This position differs from a Youth Services Counselor II Client Manager/Parole Officer in that the housing specialist plays no role in the juvenile parole process, does not possess the authority of a Client Manager/Parole Officer, and continues to serve clients beyond their discharge from parole.

Duties

Case Planning -  

• Partner with the client manager of committed youth who are referred for a housing voucher to jointly develop the parole plan. 
• Develop a housing sustainability plan for each youth using a housing voucher to meet their needs in areas of employment, education, mental health, health, basic needs, and other needs that may arise. 
• Identification of youth who will need and would benefit from a housing voucher.
• Identification, connection, and coaching of youth to co-design sustainable ongoing transition plans including the identification and selection of resources to meet individual youth needs. 
• Using the results of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) to match a youth’s high-need domains with the appropriate services. 
• Using the Risk-Need-Responsivity Principle to identify responsivity needs and match community services to meet those needs. 

• Development of a post-discharge case management plan.

Case Management-  

• Develop a working relationship with youth slated for a housing voucher 90-120 days prior to parole.
• Assist youth in navigating the housing voucher application process.
• Create and maintain the “Post-Discharge” Client file with all necessary documentation as identified in DYS policy or regional operating procedure.
• Serve as secondary case manager beginning in transition and through parole for youth who will have or have a housing voucher.
• Engagement with involved family members and development of positive working relationships.
• Provide case management services for youth who have a housing voucher from the date of parole discharge until they reach their 26th birthday or no longer have the voucher.
• Housing Navigation: Assist youth in housing search, landlord relationship development, and assistance obtaining utilities.
• Assist youth in setting up their apartments. Including acquiring furniture, and household needs.
• Counsel youth in budget development and management.
• Connecting youth with prosocial activities and community resources.
• Track youth with housing vouchers risk using the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument.
• Connect youth with housing vouchers to sustainable community resources that match YASI need domains as well as responsivity needs, such as mental health services, substance use treatment services, medical services, transportation, food assistance, etc.
• Assist youth in completing assessments related to housing vouchers.

Regional Housing Specialist Duties -

• Develop a bank of resources for use by the region with youth who are transitioning to independent living.
• Housing resources – voucher programs, available apartments in the geographical area, vouchering process, sober living arrangements, and other housing options.
• Supportive Services – transportation, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical
• services, food assistance, parenting resources, and other human services agencies in each community in
• the region.
• Employment and Education – development of relationships with employers, training programs,
• local community colleges, training programs as well as local workforce centers. Creation of options for
• employment/career development for youth on independent living and using housing vouchers.
• Providing expert guidance to the region’s client managers on accessing and using services in local
• communities in the region.
• Provide subject matter expertise to the region on child welfare guidance and processes regarding housing
• vouchers, Chaffee, the Division of Housing, and other housing programs.
• Identify housing resources offered by counties and other entities in each geographical area.
• Provide specific examples of regular, ongoing decisions made by this position related to this duty.
• Decisions regarding the most effective approaches to use when engaging with community providers.
• Decisions regarding effective approaches in working with apartment complex managers to ensure DYS youth
• have housing options.
• Decisions regarding counseling client managers on the appropriate resources available for youth who will
• be/are living independently.

Regional Housing Specialist Duties - 
Develop a bank of resources for use by the region with youth who are transitioning to independent living.

• Housing resources – voucher programs, available apartments in the geographical area, vouchering process, sober living arrangements, and other housing options.
• Supportive Services – transportation, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical services, food assistance, parenting resources, and other human services agencies in each community in the region.
• Employment and Education – development of relationships with employers, training programs, local community colleges, training programs as well as local workforce centers. Creation of options for employment/career development for youth on independent living and using housing vouchers.
• Providing expert guidance to the region’s client managers on accessing and using services in local communities in the region.
• Provide subject matter expertise to the region on child welfare guidance and processes regarding housing vouchers, Chaffee, the Division of Housing, and other housing programs.
• Identify housing resources offered by counties and other entities in each geographical area.

Regional Housing Liaison -  

• Act as a liaison between State and County level committees and workgroups and the region. Effectively communicate this information to the region.
• Participate in State and County committees as necessary, jointly representing the regional perspective.
• Work in collaboration with all three Housing Specialists to ensure a unified, consistent approach to the use of housing vouchers, accessing, and using resources, interpreting child welfare memos, and other aspects of DYS’ housing practices.

Other Duties as Assigned - 

• Other duties that may arise during the course of day-to-day operations.

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to six (6) years.

Preferred Qualifications.

• Strong understanding of Colorado's Juvenile Justice System, CDHS policies and procedures, and statewide human services agencies and regulations.

• Previous Client management or case management experience.

• Previous experience working with unhoused youth.

• Ability to establish collaborative relationships with internal and external customers, ie; contract programs, state facilities, community providers, Courts, Community Review Boards, Parole Boards, and Law Enforcement agencies. 

• Previous experience in program monitoring or evaluation. 

• Collaborative work experience with diverse populations and organizations.

• Experience providing technical assistance and training.

• Strong communication skills.

Conditions of Employment

• Full Background.  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons):CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers).

• Current/Valid and unrestricted CO Driver’s License
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age, with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence.

• On-call Status – As needed for crisis management

• Travel – This position requires travel to state-wide regional offices as well as attending meetings at different locations across the State. The position also requires travel within the region across multiple counties and judicial districts.

• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Pre-service Training Academy, Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.

• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment.  Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

• The Diana Screen®, a sexual risk screening tool, is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS, the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority.   The results of the Diana Screen will be provided to the Division of Youth Services and may be used as part of the Division's decision on whether I am selected.

Appeal Rights: 

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply

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The Assessment Process

 

For additional recruiting questions, please contact brennon.watts@state.co.us. 

About Us: 

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.  

ADA Accommodations: 

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for ALL qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment. 

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

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