Community SOAR Specialist: Department: Housing Resources Reports to: Outreach Manager Employment Status Classification: Exempt, Full-Time Salary Salary Range: $39,998.00 -- 43,680.00 per year

Job Description Summary:

The Community SOAR Specialist will be a team member in the Housing Resources Outreach department, assisting those who are literally homeless with accessing housing and supportive services, using a Housing First Model. This position focuses on assisting with eligible housing program participants using SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR), an expedited process to apply for social security for those who are literally homeless and have a disability.

This position includes an outreach component, as the candidate will be part of a team working to engage those who are eligible for this service, canvassing Oakland County where persons experiencing homelessness may congregate, locating those that are literally homeless with mental health issues and developing relationships with these individuals. Screening and intake, along with linking to community mental health agencies and mainstream resources is an important part of this position.

Essential Functions:

Review referrals provided by the outreach team and community partners to evaluate appropriateness for potential program participants to apply for benefits through the SOAR process.

Compile and prepare applications for Social Security, filling out paperwork with program participant, gathering appropriate medical documentation, and organizing the packet of materials to be submitted to the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office.

Compose a medical summary as outlined in SOAR trainings, using pertinent information that was compiled to develop a justification for eligibility of benefits.

Remain a point of contact with SSA representatives during the application process on behalf of the program participant.

Assist eligible program participants with the appeal process, as applicable and work in conjunction with disability attorneys when requested to provide supplementary materials to add to the application process.

Participate in development and implementation of a consistent outreach schedule specifically in Oakland County to include engaging homeless persons to establish trust-based relationships and educate them in housing and recovery resources. Outreach schedules should include canvassing on the street to those literally homeless and places those experiencing homelessness are known to congregate, warming centers and shelters, and referrals from community partners. Outreach scheduling will include some evening / weekend hours to "meet program participants where they are at" at local warming centers and shelters on a scheduled regular basis.

Maintain contact and document interactions with all program participants on an ongoing basis, utilizing both the case file and database as appropriate. Link to other programs, services, and organizations as appropriate in conjunction to services.

Provide program participants with hands on assistance to link with mental health services through the community mental health system. Assistance will include but is not limited to, making the phone call or visit for screening and eligibility with the program participant, providing follow up documentation, and continuing to communicate with assigned service providers to coordinate services.

Provide assistance linking to mainstream and community resources in obtaining benefits, birth certificates, social security cards and other important documents necessary for housing and supportive services.

Develop an individualized SOAR case plan for all SOAR program participants, while providing consultation to consumers and supportive service provid

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Community SOAR Specialist