Health and Social Services Advisor
Role Overview: The Health and Social Services Advisor at Brave is dedicated to ensuring that the health and social support services provided to homeless veterans align with best practices and meet the unique needs of this population. This role involves coordinating with healthcare providers, social services, and other community resources to facilitate comprehensive care for veterans transitioning to stable housing.
Key Responsibilities:
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Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments to understand the health and social service needs of homeless veterans, tailoring services to address mental health, addiction, physical health, employment, and reintegration challenges.
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Service Coordination: Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare providers, mental health services, substance abuse programs, and community organizations to create a robust support network for veterans.
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Program Development: Design, implement, and evaluate health and social service programs that integrate with housing solutions, ensuring they are trauma-informed, culturally competent, and accessible.
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Case Management: Oversee or directly manage case plans for veterans, ensuring they receive holistic care that covers both immediate and long-term health and social needs.
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Advocacy: Advocate for veterans within health and social service systems, helping them navigate benefits, insurance, and access to specialized care like PTSD or substance abuse treatment.
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Training: Provide or coordinate training for staff and partners on issues like veterans’ health, trauma-informed care, and cultural competency related to military service.
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Resource Development: Identify funding and resources for health and social services, including grants specific to veteran care, and work with the grant writer to secure support.
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Policy Influence: Stay informed about health and social policy affecting veterans and contribute to shaping organizational responses or advocacy efforts to improve services.
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Data Collection and Analysis: Gather data on the health outcomes and social service utilization of veterans to evaluate program effectiveness and inform service improvements.
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Community Engagement: Foster community partnerships that can enhance the services available to veterans, including volunteer programs, local health initiatives, or peer support groups.
Qualifications:
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Degree in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, or a related field; licensure or certification in social work or counseling is advantageous.
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Experience working with veterans, preferably in health or social services settings.
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Knowledge of veterans’ health issues, including mental health, substance use disorders, and reintegration challenges.
Skills:
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Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working with veterans, their families, and service providers.
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Ability to manage complex cases with sensitivity and confidentiality.
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Strong organizational skills for coordinating multiple service providers and resources.
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Proficiency in case management software and data analysis for tracking outcomes.
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Commitment to a holistic approach to health and well-being, understanding how housing stability impacts overall health.
This role is vital for Brave in ensuring that the transition to stable housing for veterans is supported by comprehensive health and social services, enhancing their quality of life and long-term success.