Community Resource Specialist - AmeriCorp

Job Description

Job Description

ROLE IMPACT

Your impact as a Community Resource Specialist as part of the Yolo County Community Health Initiative (CHI) helps YCCA in meeting the needs of the communities we serve by improving access to comprehensive health care services through education, advocacy, and funding.

Your role is to educate residents as to the options for health care coverage for children, assist with the enrollment process for available programs, implement processes and services which streamline eligibility procedures and the enrollment process and take other steps necessary to help provide access to quality health care coverage for children in Yolo County.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST

The primary responsibility of the Community Resource Specialist is to connect Yolo County families with essential services and resources in order to promote family stability.

The CRS shall serve as the family's primary contact within the service site and is responsible for developing a relationship with the family and working with the family at the service site to build upon strengths and enhance self-sufficiency.

AmeriCorps at a glance :

AmeriCorps is a community service program funded by the government and participating community partners, which is designed to help communities meet the specified needs in their area by recruiting and training individuals who are willing to devote one to four years serving in selected community projects.

Service programs strengthen communities, encourage responsibility, expand opportunities for education, provide service experience, and increase life skills.

For more information on AmeriCorps, please visit www.americorps.gov.

Daily duties may include :

• Identify and enroll eligible children in health insurance programs
• Assist families in completing and submitting enrollment forms and in supporting continued enrollment (for health insurance, CalFresh, Income Tax Services, free and reduced school lunch and more)
• Provide follow-up to include telephone calls, appointments, etc. to ensure that families complete the enrollment process and maintain current enrollment
• Assist families in the resolution of barriers to enrollment and maintenance of health insurance and CalFresh
• Educate families and groups about essential community services, health insurance plans and use of social services and the health care system
• Advocate for and act as a liaison for families with existing community resources and essential services agencies, which may include routine translation and interpretation.
• Meet with assigned families to provide crisis intervention services to remedy short-term and long-term needs (such as aid accessing Health Insurance and other Health Programs, access to Emergency Food / CalFresh, and other supportive services).
• Perform case management and complete associated documentation, including health access issues and report findings
• Maintain updated and accurate records on case management work, included but not limited to progress notes and referral tracking.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other services providers as a way of collaborating, streamlining work and increasing use of services by families
• Conduct a variety of screenings, assessments, and appropriate enrollments with families at school, HHSA or clinic locations.
• During interactions with families, if necessary, empower them to engage in problem solving
• Coordinate and / or participate in outreach events and activities
• Participates in special projects, assignments and tasks as needed
• Must work YCCA sanctioned community events that assist in delivering program services to the communities we serve
• And any other related assigned duties needed to help drive our Vision and fulfill our Mission
• Participate in weekly individual supervision meeting with Supervisor.
• Participate at least once a month in Case Conferencing / Multi Resource Team Meetings.
• Participate in monthly AmeriCorps member meeting / team building activities.
• Participate in required trainings provided by Prevent Child Abuse California (PCA CA), including Nurturing Parenting Program training, and Service Site specified trainings.
• Attend mandatory PCA CA quarterly member check-ins.
• Complete documentation as required by PCA CA Contract and Service Site, including, but not limited to, Family Support / Nurturing Plans, Data Collection Forms for Services Provided to Beneficiaries, and Assessment Tools.

CHARACTERISTICS & SKILLS FOR A CANDIDATE TO SUCCEED IN THE ROLE

To be an AmeriCorps member, you must meet all of the following criteria :

• Be a Citizen of the United States or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Have a High School Diploma, GED Certificate, or College Transcripts
• Have a social security card
• Have a valid Driver's License & Have valid auto insurance with reliable transportation
• Complete the AmeriCorps Application with 2 references
• Pass a FBI / DOJ Background Check and Motor Vehicle Record Check
• Must be bilingual in one of the following languages : Spanish, Farsi / Dari, and / or Russian.

Must Have Skills

• MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and ability to work effectively in a secure database.
• Knowledgeable about Yolo County, its community organizations, government agencies, and businesses.
• Must be available for occasional night and weekend work.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and able to work cooperatively and in a supportive manner within an interdisciplinary team, and culturally diverse populations.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize assignments.
• Knowledge of social services, health care services and free and reduced cost health insurance options.

Nice to Have Skills

• Prior working knowledge of CalFresh and CalWorks government programs
• Understanding of or experience with the 5 protective factors
• Understanding of or experience with trauma informed care
• Knowledge of child welfare system, educational system, and issues that affect families

Essential Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to perform tasks which involve the ability to exert light physical effort and lift up to 20 lbs. in sedentary to light work daily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Experience & Educational Background

Candidates must have at least 2 years' experience in similar work or have an Associate degree or above in Social Work, Psychology or Social Services.

Bachelor's Degree from accredited 4-year college or university in the health or human service field preferred. Completion of Certified Application Assistant training and experience in providing application assistance is strongly preferred.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At Yolo County Children's Alliance, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected.

We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all our departments, programs, and worksites.

We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We're committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for our industry sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.