Housing Consumer Education Counselor

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

¨      Provides assistance to clients seeking HCEC services and makes referrals to other resources when appropriate. 

¨      Assesses client needs through intake reports, which include services requested by the client, the services provided to the client, and other needs that the counselor and client determine. 

¨      Provides counseling and education to clients related to housing issues. 

¨      Works with challenging client situations that require a comprehensive housing counseling response. 

¨      Assists in the expansion and development of HCEC workshops such as Tenant/Landlord Rights and Responsibilities, Budgeting, Financial Education, etc.

¨      Leads and co-leads workshops. 

¨      Assists in development of outreach activities to clients and community. 

¨      Manages data entry and database tracking of clients served:  gathering, entering and maintaining client information and relevant data. 

¨      Assist with statistical reports and tracking long-term outcomes as required by funding source. 

¨      Follow guidelines and requirements of HCEC funding sources.   

¨      Attend all meetings and trainings as required by supervisor

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

¨    Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree preferred in human services related field.

¨    2 years working with low income households preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

¨      Good working knowledge of programs such as MSWord, Excel, Access and Publisher as well as strong math skills.

¨      Demonstrated ability to work as part of a client support team.

¨      Knowledge and experience working with low income, culturally diverse, and at-risk individuals.

¨      Excellent organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

¨      Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with coworkers and those outside the organization.

¨      Multi-lingual skills (English/Spanish) (English/Khmer/Lao/Vietnamese) desired.

¨      CORI review prior to employment.

Non-Exempt
Part-Time

The site we visited with and did some re-housing from went from having nine individuals living there to having just three. One gentleman we engaged today is certainly motivated to re-house and is willing to allow us to assist him in this process. We are already working with another female that continues to reside in this camp.

There is a second campsite at Beaver Brook that sits in the shadow of the University. The were four structures at the site with four individuals staying there. The camp site is pretty clean and well set up. They even have a trampoline down there on the beach and a community mail space! Unfortunately, these four individuals weren’t “home” at the time of our visit and left information to connect with our team here at CTI. The land that both of the camp sites sit on is owned by University of Massachusetts at Lowell.

We continued along to another campsite between Aiken & Beaver Brook. This land is owned by the City of Lowell. Here we found just one person staying there. We wound up having to extinguish a still smoldering camp fire while we were there. First rule of camping – always put out your fire before you leave your site!

See this photo of what appears to be an abandoned “foxhole” shelter, most likely having been built by a homeless veteran.

Our next stop was the Hunts Falls Bridge camp sites. This land is owned by the Department of Transportation. Here, there were a total of four tent sites with two appearing to be in current use. Interestingly, one site appeared to be that of a homeless female.

Who says homeless individuals aren’t interested in their representation?

At this campsite there was a significant fire event.

Next week our journey continues to three other campsites located along the Concord River, Western Ave and Middlesex St.

Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness

March 18, 2013 – Meeting Minutes

Community Action Inc 75 Elm St Haverhill, MA

In attendance: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich (CTI), Sue Fink (City of Lawrence), Patty Bergin (CHC), Bob Gould (CAI), Melissa Glassman (Eliot CHS), Ken Link (Bedford VA), Richard Rankin (Data Remedies)

Network Updates:

1. Network Update from Partners –

City of Lawrence – Notified by HUD last week, that all Tier 1 Continuum projects have been renewed. 3 individuals have been re-housed (1 from shelter, 2 unsheltered) through the Lawrence Individual Re-Housing Effort. South Union St SRO’s are back online in Lawrence.  Also reporting that they foresee a 5% reduction in HOME funding.

Community Teamwork, Inc – Discussed changes to CTI’s Resource Center where HomeBase, Section 8, Financial Literacy, CommCet and Fuel Assistance share work space in the Resource Center at 17 Kirk St..

Community Action Inc – processing financial assistance applications through EFSP/FEMA and RAFT.

Eliot CHS – Reporting that they still have funds to re-house homeless individuals with ASO funding up to $1,000 per individual. Applicants must meet criteria for eligibility.

Bedford VA – Bedford set to receive an allocation of 70 new VASH vouchers and will be available soon. There will be a required information session for all prospective applicants on 4/3/13.

RAFT – Outreach continues to be facilitated across the region with expenditure on target.

Home Base/EA Update – Discussion deferred

Fireman Foundation Grant – Discussion deferred

Subcommittee Reports – No subcommittee report

New Business – None

Filed under: Merrimack Valley Regional Network Tagged: community teamwork, homeless, homeless families, homeless prevention, homelessness, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, merrimack valley regional network, Veterans Opportunity to Work Act ]]> http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-31813/feed/ 0 krosssitcawich http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-22513/ http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-22513/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 17:51:34 +0000 krosssitcawich http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/?p=2126 Continue reading →]]>

Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness

February 25, 2013 – Meeting Minutes

Greater Lawrence Community Action 305 Essex St Lawrence, MA

In attendance: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich (CTI), Sue Fink (City of Lawrence), Jim Barnes (City of Lawrence), Patty Bergin (CHC), Steve Wilkins (Commonwealth land Trust), Bob Gould (CAI), Connie Murphy (CAI), Melissa Glassman (Eliot CHS), Evelyn Friedman (GLCAC), Stephen O’Keefe (DPH/BSAS), Marissa Melendez (GLCAC), David McCloskey (LTLC), Ann Malavich (LTLC), Laura Tomaszcwk (DCF), Alexandra Saccardo (Daybreak)

Network Updates: 

1. Network Update from Partners –

City of Lawrence – Reported on the most recent PIT count with 16 unsheltered individuals accounted. This is an increase over last year which was 12.  14 males, 2 females and 1 Veteran.

Community Teamwork, Inc – Discussed upcoming changes to CTI’s Resource Center where HomeBase, Section 8, Financial Literacy, CommCet and Fuel Assistance will all work space in the Resource Center at 17 Kirk St..

Community Action Inc – processing financial assistance applications through EFSP/FEMA and RAFT. Working with Mitch’s Place to re-house homeless individuals

Commonwealth Land Trust – Currently have vacancies with an emphasis on veterans, $400 per month, prospective tenants must apply in person. 20 set aside units for chronic homeless and those with HIV.

Eliot CHS – In the process of hiring a new homeless outreach worker. Currently has funds to re-house homeless individuals in Lowell and Lawrence. Must be chronic homeless, have a psychiatric illness, income eligible and eligible for MBHP.

DCF- receives referrals from DHCD to assess homeless families entering the EA shelter system.

LTLC – Census is up with 78 sheltered in the dorms and 50-62 individuals served each evening in Winter Protocol which has resulted in a 48% increase in operational costs. 12% of those served are from the Lawrence area. LTLC requesting that communities in MV consider supporting LTLC financially as the regional homeless shelter in Merrimack Valley.

GLCAC – In partnership with CTI referring RAFT applicants. On average have about 20 individuals participate in their financial assistance workshops on a weekly basis. EFSP/FEMA for the Lawrence area is available through Catholic Charities and Salvation Army. SRO’s that had been offline are coming back online shortly. Lawrence currently has 160 SRO’s (single room occupancy) units offline due to code/inspection violations. GLCAC community resource center has been relocated from Lawrence St location to GLCAC at 305 Essex St on the 2^nd floor.

Daybreak Shelter – Discussed the Home at Last and the Homes for Veterans projects.

RAFT – DHCD has reallocated RAFT funds to the Merrimack Valley. CTI staff will again have a greater presence in Lawrence and Haverhill to facilitate RAFT applications

Home Base/EA Update – Discussion deferred

Fireman Foundation Grant – Discussion deferred

Subcommittee Reports – No subcommittee reports

New Business – None

Next meeting:

March 18, 2013 @ 2pm

Community Action, Inc

75 Elm St. Haverhill, MA

Filed under: Merrimack Valley Regional Network Tagged: community teamwork, homeless, homeless families, homeless prevention, homeless students, homelessness, Kristin Ross-Sitcawich, merrimack valley regional network, social service ]]> http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-22513/feed/ 0 krosssitcawich http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-11413/ http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/2013/04/22/merrimack-valley-regional-network-meeting-minutes-11413/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:46:02 +0000 krosssitcawich http://mvhomeless.wordpress.com/?p=2122 Continue reading →]]>

Merrimack Valley Regional Network to End Homelessness

January 14, 2013 – Meeting Minutes

Community Teamwork 17 Kirk St. Lowell, MA

In attendance: Kristin Ross-Sitcawich (CTI), Sue Fink (City of Lawrence), Jim Barnes (City of Lawrence), Patty Bergin (CHC), Steve Wilkins (Commonwealth land Trust), Bob Gould (CAI), Connie Murphy (CAI), Roland Cartier (CTI), Melissa Glassman (Eliot CHS), Sandy Almonte (DTA), Evelyn Friedman (GLCAC), Susan Rourke (Billerica HOC)

Network Updates:

1. Network Update from Partners –

City of Lawrence – Completing the CoC application. Also applying for Balance of State CoC funds

Community Teamwork, Inc – Discussed new initiative with Lowell Housing Authority involving direct service to veterans in public housing.

Community Action Inc – EFSP/FEMA funds are in also working on RAFT applications with families from Greater Haverhill.

Commonwealth Land Trust – Currently have vacancies with an emphasis on veterans

Eliot CHS – Reporting the availability of ESG funds to re-house homeless individuals who have behavioral health issues.

RAFT – RAFT funds initially awarded, have been expended in full. DHCD will reallocate RAFT funds to CTI from other agencies that are currently underspent. Unsure at this point as to the amount of funds that will be made available for expenditure the Merrimack Valley

Home Base/EA Update – Discussion deferred

Fireman Foundation Grant – Discussion deferred

Subcommittee Reports – No subcommittee reports

New Business – None

Next meeting:

February 25, 2013 @ 2pm

Greater Lawrence Community Action, Inc

305 Essex St Lawrence, MA

Rehousing Specialist Contractors

Duties:

During the course of Fiscal Year 2014, approximately 6,000 families receiving the HomeBASE Rental Assistance benefit will transition off the two-year program. In addition, approximately 85 families will be transitioning off a small, four-year program that provided rental assistance called Moving to Economic Opportunity (MEOP). The DHCD Rehousing Team will focus primarily on the transition from HomeBASE, but will also provide support to families and providers transitioning from the MEOP program as it will require similar activities.

The DHCD Rehousing Specialist will work on a team with four other Rehousing Specialists, under the supervision and direction of the Director of State Rental Assistance Programs and the HomeBASE and RAFT Program Manager. The DHCD Rehousing Specialists are responsible for designing, coordinating and implementing all services, communications and other elements related to families transitioning off of short-term rental assistance subsidies in Fiscal Year 2014. These duties include, but are not limited to:

a) Responding to inquiries and issues from HomeBASE families, stabilization case managers, program managers and landlords about the transition
b) Making referrals to community services including Community Action Agencies and other social service providers in the client’s area to ensure the clients are maximizing benefits and available resources
c) Coordinating regular communications directly from DHCD to participant families and landlords and assisting HomeBASE agencies with similar communications (including guidance for mailings through Tracker system)
d) Researching and collecting best practices around re-housing strategies and disseminating those strategies by providing technical assistance to stabilization case managers and continued training
e) Assisting HomeBASE agencies and other providers in facilitating group trainings with families on strategies to develop a re-housing plan and sharing best practices with other families in similar transition phases
f) Assisting the State Rental Assistance Data Specialist in technical assistance and disseminating guidance to manage data collection and reporting on transitioning families in DHCD’s data systems (ASIST and Tracker)
g) Collecting and analyzing data and monitoring HomeBASE Stabilization efforts for the families transitioning off rental assistance to ensure that all families are identified and receiving communication and support around the transition
h) Assisting State Rental Assistance Data Specialist and HomeBASE Program Manager in compiling data and reports to present progress to DHCD Senior Staff, the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness, Lt. Governor’s Office, the Governor’s Office, advocates and other stakeholder

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience in program and/or project management
2. Experience in providing technical assistance to the human services and/or housing fields
3. Experience in homelessness prevention and/or rapid rehousing programs (local, state, federal) and/or rental assistance, supportive housing, transitional housing experience (local, state, federal).
4. Experience working with non-profit agencies
5. Familiarity with state’s homelessness programs, such as Emergency Assistance, HomeBASE and/or other DHCD rental assistance programs
6. Ability to provide guidance to diverse groups and elicit support and cooperation
7. Ability to deal one-on-one with individuals in crisis with calm and resourcefulness
8. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, multi-task and meet deadlines
9. Excellent written and oral communication skills
10. Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Excel to produce documents and reports.
11. Travel across the state will be required. Those employees who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license or the equivalent from another state.
12. For one of the five vacancies the agency is seeking a bilingual candidate who speaks both Spanish and English.

Comments:

Contract positions run for 14 months from May 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.

There are no benefits associated with this position.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE REDUCTION TO YOUR EUC WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Dear claimant:

You are receiving unemployment benefits as part of a federal program known as Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC).  In 2011, Congress passed a law known as the “sequester,” which calls for budget cuts to most federal programs. This new law took effect earlier this year.  Due to these federal budget cuts, the unemployment benefits that you are currently receiving will be reduced by 12.8% starting the week ending May 4, 2013. Massachusetts is required by federal law to implement this reduction.

Not only will your weekly benefit amount be reduced by 12.8% but there will be a corresponding reduction in your remaining EUC account balance.  These reductions to your unemployment benefits will last until September 29, 2013, at which time the U.S. Department of Labor will reassess the matter and inform us about the future of the EUC program. Once you certify for the week ending May 4, 2013 (or any subsequent week before September 29, 2013), DUA will send you a revised determination of your new weekly benefit amount and new account balance.

If these cuts impact your health and welfare, you may be eligible for other resources including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC). For information about these programs, call 2-1-1 or visit www.mass211help.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.