Veteran Advocate

Job Title:         Veteran Advocate

Job Purpose:  The Veteran Advocate supports Veterans experiencing homelessness who are living in Wellspring’s VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing program. The Veteran Advocate offers low-barrier, same-day access to a safe place to stay and walks alongside each Veteran, using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that respects Veterans as the authors of their own lives, as they work toward permanent housing, increased income, and long-term stability.

Experience & Knowledge:
Minimum of High School education or equivalent
Preferred: currently enrolled in or pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, human services, or a related field
Two years experience working with people, preferably in human services, housing, or outreach
Experience with Veterans, homelessness, mental health, or substance use preferred; military service or lived experience welcome
Knowledge of community resources and benefits programs in Northeast Louisiana
Valid Louisiana driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance

Skills and Abilities:
Must be sensitive to the needs of others
Maintains confidentiality
Has the ability to work with Veterans in a manner that is trauma-informed, respectful, and non-judgmental
Supports Veterans in making their own choices and setting their own goals
Communicates and interacts with other staff, Veterans, VA staff, community partners, and volunteers from various backgrounds
Acts as an advocate for Veterans at all times
Maintains poise in crisis situations
Promotes a spirit of cooperation and respect in a shared living environment
Has the ability to act quickly when a Veteran is ready for housing or services
Exhibits flexibility within the work environment, including a non-traditional schedule
Possesses the ability to work as part of a team that supports Veterans
Accepts change
Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency standards
Exhibits effective verbal and written communication skills, including accurate, timely documentation
Assumes responsibility for personal learning

Core Values of Staff:
Compassion.                We act with compassion toward others and work for the good of others by respecting people as the authors of their own

                                     lives.
Customer Service.       We work to delight our customers, both internal and external
Integrity.                       We act with the integrity that promotes the highest confidence, trust and accountability
Leadership.                  We demonstrate leadership in our organization and the community.
Teamwork.                   We work as a team, achieving more collectively than individually.

Job Related Training Courses/Programs:
Orientation, including confidentiality, conflict of interest standards, and incident reporting procedures
Annual suicide prevention training (such as VA S.A.V.E.) and the agency’s suicide prevention procedures developed with the local VA medical facility
Crisis Intervention and de-escalation
Trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and housing-focused case management
VA Grant and Per Diem program requirements (38 CFR Part 61)
HMIS data entry and data quality
Mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect under Louisiana law
On-going in-service training on Veteran culture, military trauma, homelessness, substance use, and cultural responsiveness
Residential staff meetings and trainings

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Conducts outreach and engagement with Veterans experiencing homelessness by
Going out on a regular schedule to streets, camps, parks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, and emergency shelters, including during evening and weekend hours,
Reaching Veterans who may not see themselves as eligible, including those with other-than-honorable discharges, and connecting them to the VA for an eligibility determination,
Increasing outreach when beds are open so Veterans are not left waiting, and
Participating in coordinated entry, the Veteran by-name list, and case conferencing for the LA-505 Northeast Louisiana Continuum of Care.

Provides low-barrier, same-day access to the program by
Completing intakes on the same day a Veteran is identified or referred by the VA or a community partner, including nights and weekends,
Keeping entry requirements to the minimum allowed by program policy and helping remove delays such as missing documents,
Welcoming Veterans to the program, explaining program guidelines and what to expect, and completing the intake packet, and
Distributing basic need items and helping each Veteran settle in.

Provides for Veteran physical and emotional needs by
Establishing personal rapport with each Veteran and listening carefully and without judgment,
Working with each Veteran to develop and regularly review an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with goals for housing, income, health, and support networks,
Connecting Veterans to VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and community medical, mental health, and substance use care,
Supporting access to at least three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week, and
Arranging or providing transportation to appointments, employment, and services.

Helps Veterans move into permanent housing and increase income by
Helping Veterans search for, apply for, and secure permanent housing, and engaging landlords,
Teaching tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for rent, and how to resolve conflicts with landlords and neighbors,
Supporting job search, job training, and employment, and connecting Veterans to workforce and Department of Labor resources,
Assisting with applications for VA benefits, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and other income supports, and
Connecting Veterans to aftercare such as GPD Case Management or SSVF before discharge to prevent a return to homelessness.

Promotes a safe, respectful shared living environment by
Making and documenting daily contact with each Veteran and meeting residential supervision requirements under 38 CFR § 61.80(b)(13),
Conducting resident meetings and supporting Veteran voice in the operation of the facility,
Securing the facility at the designated time and conducting checks throughout the night, and
Upholding the program’s clean and sober environment policy in a supportive way that keeps Veterans engaged in services after a relapse.

Maintains the cleanliness and safety of the residential facility by
Completing and turning in a daily task list,
Receiving, sorting, and distributing donations and food deliveries,
Following the regular cleaning schedule and supporting residents with shared chores, and
Reporting maintenance or safety concerns so the facility continues to meet VA inspection standards.

Provides crisis intervention for Veterans by
Responding to crises calmly and respectfully, and coordinating with the VA medical facility and community partners for urgent medical, psychiatric, or substance use needs,
Recognizing signs of suicide risk and following agency suicide prevention procedures, including connection to the Veterans Crisis Line, and
Reporting any critical incident (such as injury, overdose, or death) to the supervisor immediately so the agency can notify the VA GPD Liaison within 24 hours.

Supports medication safety by
Following the program’s medication control procedures and documenting as required.

Assures quality service by
Upholding program guidelines, VA Grant and Per Diem requirements (38 CFR Part 61), and grant terms and conditions,
Entering timely and accurate data into HMIS and agency files, including intakes, ISPs, progress notes, daily contacts, and discharges,
Supporting program performance goals for exits to permanent housing, employment and income at discharge, and fewer negative exits, and
Following agency procedures.

Assumes responsibility for professional development by
Attending educational workshops, seminars, and agency staff meetings and trainings.

Contributes to the team effort by
Communicating effectively with other staff persons,
Exhibiting a willingness to help other staff,
Demonstrating flexibility in work situations,
Engaging in friendly, supportive, and cooperative contacts with others.

Maintains safety of Veterans and staff at all times by
Complying with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.

Performs other duties as related to the position and as assigned
Work non-traditional hours, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled,
Work alternate schedules during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.