Housing Navigator Intake & Assessment Lead

Position Summary

The Housing Navigator Intake and Assessment Lead is responsible for the development, implementation compliance, and reporting of the Youth Development Center (YDC). Includes the engaging and cultivating of community partners, to raise awareness of services provided.  Develops, implements, monitors and reports program deliverables for the (YDC) ensuring a high quality of service.  Network and coordinate meetings with community leaders and partners for violence prevention.  Develops and implements life skills training with Case Managers and the Support Services Clinical Manager. Always exercise sound judgment particularly regarding youth and facility safety. As part of the YDC Housing Navigation project, the position ensures YDC intakes meet eligibility for the Housing Navigation project, coordinates intake completion, engagement, and Coordinated Entry assessments as needed. Verifies eligibility and helps develop individualized housing plans with the Housing Navigator Clinical Case Manager. Works with cross-team staff to support coordinated workflows, warm handoffs, and regular care coordination.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities:

1. Mission and Standards of Procedure:

• Ensure the highest quality delivery of services to youth in accordance with the Covenant House of Illinois Principles, Mission and Core Values.
• Initiate and maintain positive, professional, and mentoring relationships with youth and staff.
• Understand and comply with all agency policies and procedures.
• Participate in Covenant House staff and team meetings, professional development training, and supervision meetings.

1. Housing Navigation: Intake and Referral Management

• Receive Coordinated Entry referrals, open cases the same day, conduct outreach (phone, text, email, or in-person), and schedule/facilitate the initial engagement meeting while tracking response timelines.
• Verify eligibility, collect documentation, coordinate the Coordinated Entry assessment with the Housing Resource Specialist, and ensure all documentation meets Coordinated Entry and YHDP requirements.
• Conduct trauma-informed needs assessments to identify housing barriers such as income, documentation, credit, safety, and accessibility.
• Co-develop individualized care plans with youth outlining housing preferences (location, roommates, safety, accessibility, and budget) and prepare them for the housing search process in coordination with the housing navigation team.
• Facilitate transition meetings, linkages, and care coordination with navigation team and external partners.

3. Trauma-Informed Care Implementation:
4. • Lead the integration of trauma-informed care principles into all aspects of the YDC’s operations, ensuring youth are treated with dignity, empathy, and respect.
   • Ensure staff and volunteers are trained in trauma-informed practices, creating a safe and healing environment for youth.
   • Monitor and evaluate the implementation of trauma-informed care, adjusting strategies as needed to improve service delivery and youth engagement.
   • Serve as a positive role model for youth and staff, engaging respectfully with youth and creating an environment where they feel welcome.

• Implement trauma-informed restorative practices such as talking circles, restorative conversations, mutual aid, peace circles, and peer-led conferences.
• Lead and assist in managing crises and effectively complete follow-up documentation.

• Promote a safe and healing environment by utilizing the principles and practices of trauma-informed care, harm reduction and positive youth development in all aspects of work and youth engagement, including crisis prevention, intervention, and de-escalation.
• Remain approachable, relatable, rapport-building, and practice active listening with all individuals.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and ability to address conflict between youth; able to respond quickly and safely while calmly de-escalating crisis situations and emergencies.

4. Youth Engagement:
5. • Actively engage with youth in a welcoming and supportive manner, building trust and rapport to encourage participation in center activities and services.
   • Provide direct support to youth, offering crisis intervention, emotional support, and guidance as needed.
   • Ensure that Youth Development Center (YDC) youth receive a variety of well-rounded opportunities, including medical services, employment and career guidance assistance, and recreational or group activities.

5. Program Coordination and Development:
6. • Develop, implement, and oversee daily programming at the YDC, ensuring a variety of activities that support youth engagement, skill-building, and personal growth.
   • Ensure that programs are aligned with CHIL’s mission, goals, and trauma-informed care principles, fostering a sense of community, empowerment, and hope for youth.
   • Evaluate program effectiveness, gather feedback from youth, and make adjustments to improve outcomes.

• In collaboration with Director of Residential Services, coordinate, develop and implement life skills groups to youth as well as other workshops, activities and events to ensure a busy calendar of skill-building and health leisure activities.
• Build and follow budgets for special events held in the YDC.

• Organizational abilities and level of responsibility are conducive to ensuring team and youth safety, keeping supplies inventoried and stocked, and tracking and reporting on grant-funded activities.
• Able to articulate successes and challenges experienced by youth to inform program development and effectively communicate with CHIL staff, community partners, funding sources, and others.
• Willingness to advocate for the right of all youth passionately and actively to be valued, supported, and housed.

6. Staff and Volunteer Support:
7. • Train, and support YDC staff and volunteers, providing regular guidance and feedback to ensure high-quality service delivery.
   • Facilitate meetings with YDC staff to address issues concerning the YDC.
   • Foster a positive, team-oriented work environment, encouraging collaboration, innovation, and professional growth among staff and volunteers.
   • Ensure that all staff and volunteers understand and adhere to CHIL’s policies, trauma-informed care practices, and ethical standards in their interactions with youth.
   • Ensure that authorized program staff are provided with individual usernames and passwords to safeguard electronic records and that staff logs out of systems when leaving the computer unattended.

7. Safety and Risk Management:
8. • Ensure the safety and well-being of all youth in the YDC, conducting regular safety checks and addressing any concerns related to youth welfare.
   • Implement and enforce safety protocols, including emergency procedures, and ensure that youth are aware of and understand the rules and guidelines for their participation in center activities.

8. Collaboration and Referral Coordination:
9. • Collaborate with internal and external service providers, such as case management, mental health services, healthcare providers, and legal advocates, to ensure that youth receive comprehensive care.
   • Maintain relationships with community partners, including schools, employers, and local agencies, to expand available resources for youth.
   • Coordinate staff, partners and volunteers to participate in and facilitate groups, workshops, activities and events.

9. Documentation and Reporting:

• Ensure compliance by reporting and tracking external program deliverable for all government and private grants.
• Analyze YDC data for ongoing development opportunities and reporting requirements.
• Ensure completion/submission of all required daily, bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports as assigned.
• Complete documentation in (ETO) data management system and other databases as needed.
• Actively participate in quality assurance activities, scopes meetings, etc. to ensure compliance with program grant/foundations deliverables as needed.

9. • Maintain accurate, confidential records for all youth served at the YDC, including intake forms, case notes, progress reports, and service plans.
   • Ensure all documentation is compliant with organizational policies, legal requirements, and funding guidelines.
   • Ensure the accurate and timely reporting of all ETO incidents, including critical incidents, and ensure appropriate follow-up is documented and completed.
   • Prepare regular reports for Director of Residential Services on program outcomes, youth engagement, and areas for improvement.
   • Monitor and maintain the follow-through of YDC data, ensuring timely reporting and the collection of statistics related to program successes and outcomes.

• Can maintain confidentiality while understanding and complying with requirements of mandated reporting, HIPAA, and other limits to confidentiality.

10. Community Engagement and Outreach:
11. • Participate in community outreach efforts to raise awareness about the YDC and its services, promoting the center as a safe, supportive space for youth in need.
    • Engage with local organizations and agencies to strengthen community partnerships and enhance the services available to youth.

2. • Establish and maintain partnerships with community-based leaders and other partners involved in violence prevention/ justice.

11. Continuous Improvement:
12. • Regularly assess the effectiveness of YDC services and programs, using feedback from youth and staff to identify areas for improvement.
    • Stay current on trends and best practices related to youth homelessness, trauma-informed care, and social services, integrating new knowledge into center programming and practices.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field (preferred) or equivalent work experience in youth services or homelessness (MA preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in working with at-risk youth, preferably in a shelter or social services setting.
• At least 1 year of supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and its application in working with homeless youth.
• Effective organization, verbal and written communication, and teamwork skills to manage and support quality improvement efforts.
• Self-starter. Must be able to communicate and relate to diverse groups of people including clients, community, and other staff. Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be willing to function as an active member of an interdisciplinary team.
• We operate a 24/7 facility which means full-time staff are expected to work some weekends and holidays.  
• Must be able and willing to work a late shift every Thursday from 10:30am-7pm.
• Be willing and able to participate in a 24/7 on call rotation
• Ability to troubleshoot issues and partner across departments to identify solutions.
• Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.
• Proficient with standard computer operating systems.
• Willing and able to attain a CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Have knowledge and experience working with the LGBTQIA+ population.

Working Conditions

This position requires the employee to work onsite in our office facility. Potential exposure to challenging behavioral situations or high-stress environments, requiring the ability to maintain composure and apply trauma-informed practices. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate, listen, stand for moderate periods of time, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally driving a minivan. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.