DCFS and Probation System Liaison

JOB TITLE : DCFS and Probation System Liaison | SPA 5

REPORTS TO : Housing Systems Manager

SCHEDULE : Monday-Friday (8:00am-4:30pm)

LOCATION: Venice, CA

STATUS : Full-time, 40hrs/wk, Non-Exempt

CELL PHONE : Reimbursement for use

DRIVER POSITION : Yes ( If yes, see driving policy below)

SALARY RANGE : $21.00-$24.00/hr

ABOUT US:

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs.

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 100 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The DCFS and Probation System Liaison (System Liaison) will be responsible for serving all SPA 5 system-involved youth who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness and aiding them to navigate the Youth Coordinated Entry System (YCES). The System Liaison will serve as the main YCES point of contact for Probation and DCFS staff in SPA 5 and will receive referrals from these offices directly for youth imminently at risk of homelessness upon aging out. The System Liaison will attend Transition Plan meetings and collaborate to help resolve potential housing crises. The System Liaison will employ Problem-Solving services which is a crisis response philosophy focused on supporting youth experiencing a housing crisis to quickly identify and access alternative housing resources outside of the homeless crisis response system. If a youth’s housing crisis is not resolved through Problem-Solving, the System Liaison will conduct Next Step Tool (NST) and continue to advocate for youth to be housed appropriately within YCES.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Utilize culturally-relevant active listening and motivational interviewing skills with system-involved youth to identify possible supports in their network that can assist them with temporary or permanent housing outside of the YCES.
• Liaise with and provide technical assistance to DCFS regional office staff including children’s social workers (CSW) for youth exiting or exited from DCFS.
• Liaise with, and provide technical assistance to, Probation Camp staff and field deputy probation officers for youth exiting or exited from DCFS.
• Participate in Discharge/Transition planning meetings and related services for youth and young adults exiting Foster Care and/or Probation Camps.
• Identify safety or health issues that may need to be considered during identification of housing.
• Provide mediation between households and property owners/family/friends to assist in resolving housing crisis.
• Deliver both field- and place-based supportive services, as appropriate, to participants.
• Acquire resources and make successful referrals, including follow-up to ensure the participant successfully accesses and initially retains housing.
• Ensure services are documented in the LA CoC homeless management information system (HMIS) in a timely and thorough manner.
• Assist in budgeting with participants, and determine what level of minimal assistance is necessary to be successfully housed or have housing crisis resolved.
• Facilitate access to YCES for participants, including the completion of the Initial Triage and Initial Assessment phases of system access and assessment.
• For participants gaining entry into YCES, provide a warm handoff to sustained case management services where possible, or provide initial case management for up to 60 days upon the participant gaining YCES access.
• Deliver services based on participant strengths.
• Attend trainings and participate in regular technical assistance such as learning collaboratives.
• Adhere to LAHSA Interim Guidance as pertaining to job responsibilities.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the program and organization.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or related field is preferred.
• 1-2 years of experience in field based case management, counseling or related experience is required.
• 1-2 years of experience providing direct services to high-risk youth including counseling and advocacy is required.
• 1–3 years of experience working with youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness is required.
• Strong commitment to social justice and practice actualizing these values in a working environment.
• Knowledge and experience working with co-occurring populations (chronic health conditions, mental health and substance use).
• Knowledge and experience with motivational interviewing, evidence-based practices, and trauma informed care, housing first principles and harm reduction.
• Strong understanding of homeless services including CES and HMIS database.
• Strong understanding of LA County foster care and juvenile justice systems, including foster care placement options, participant rights and eligibility, and discharge planning processes.
• Strong belief in growth mindset, self-determination, and psychological resilience.
• Compliance with information and security policy and procedures.
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus.
• Must have valid CA Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.
• Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

MANDATED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS: Effective August 9, 2021, the State Health Officer has mandated that all workers, paid or unpaid, in homeless services organizations must provide proof of vaccination. If eligible for a booster shot, proof of booster is also required. If not fully vaccinated, weekly COVID-19 testing is necessary depending on the program. Please submit proof of vaccination to To request a reasonable accommodation or exemption, please get in touch with HR at the same email address. It's important to note that these accommodations are limited.

DRIVER POSITIONS: Applicants are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Safe Place for Youth offers a competitive benefit package including comprehensive health coverage, 403b with agency contribution, and vacation/sick time. We also offer unique perks including weekly meditation/mindfulness and professional development opportunities that are tailored to your individual career growth.

EEO STATEMENT:

All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. Safe Place for Youth does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Safe Place for Youth is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Please include references in your application.