Position will initially be required to be in office 5 days per week. There will be an opportunity to go to a hybrid option that requires a minimum of 2 days In office and maximum 3 days remote work. About the unit - This work unit exists to provide a continuum of services for detained youth and youth who are committed to the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. The unit also serves to represent the Division with local juvenile justice partnerships, committees, statutorily mandated boards, and governmental/private entities including but not limited to district attorneys, public defenders, county departments of humanservices, judicial officers, juvenile probation, local school districts and mental health centers. This unit provides oversight and fiscal support for detention services that may include screening, assessment, community supervision and treatment of pre- adjudicated youth. Through the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum. This unit also provides case management and juvenile parole services to youth committed to the custody of the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services. This includes planning and oversight for youth in residential placement, facilitation of multidisciplinary teams, the development of transition plans and parole plans, and the active monitoring of juvenile parolees in the community. The region is charged with ensuring the safety and security of each youth, staff, and the community according to Colorado law. The Central Region Office is responsible for resource development and management to facilitate service provision and includes but is not limited to personnel, and contract programs, throughout 11 counties and 5 judicial districts. Purpose of the position - The position serves as the subject matter expert on housing resources for the regional office. The position identifiesresources for youth who will transition from a DYS secure facility or contract residential program to independent living and will need housing resources. The position will develop and maintain a library of resources in the primary geographical areas of the region. These resources may include but not be limited to; available apartments, food assistance, employment, setting up an apartment, mental health resources, medical resources, and any other essential services youth may require. The position will act as a liaison between State and local entities and the region in identifying, obtaining, and retaining housing vouchers for transitioning youth. The position will participate in relevant committees. workgroups, boards, and housing initiatives. The position will partner with the client manager of a youth paroling with a housing voucher, assisting the client manager in case management duties and planning for DYS discharge at the end of the parole period. The position will develop sustainability plans for youth and provide case management services up to a youth’s 26th birthday to youth who voluntarily participate. This position differs from a Youth Services Counselor II Client Manager/ Parole Officer in that the housing specialist plays no role in the juvenile parole process, does not possess the authority of a Client Manager/ Parole Officer, and continues to serve clients beyond their discharge from parole. Duties. Case Planning - Partner with the client manager of committed youth who are referred for a housing voucher to jointly develop the parole plan. Develop a housing sustainability plan for each youth using a housing voucher to meet their needs in areas of employment, education, mental health, health, basic needs, and other needs that may arise. Identification of youth who will need and would benefit from a housing voucher. Identification, connection, and coaching of youth to co-design sustainable ongoing transition plans including the identification and selection of resources to meet individual youth needs. Using the results of the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI) to match a youth’s high-need domains with the appropriate services. Using the Risk-Need-Responsivity Principle to identify responsivity needs and match community services to meet those needs. Development of a post-discharge case management plan. Case Management- Develop a working relationship with youth slated for a housing voucher 90-120 days prior to parole. Assist youth in navigating the housing voucher application process. Create and maintain the “Post-Discharge” Client file with all necessary documentation as identified in DYS policy or regional operating procedure. Serve as secondary case manager beginning in transition and through parole for youth who will have or have a housing voucher. Engagement with involved family members and development of positive working relationships. Provide case management services for youth who have a housing voucher from the date of parole discharge until they reach their 26th birthday or no longer have the voucher. Housing Navigation: Assist youth in housing search, landlord relationship development, and assistance obtaining utilities. Assist youth in setting up their apartments. Including acquiring furniture, and household needs. Counsel youth in budget development and management. Connecting youth with prosocial activities and community resources. Track youth with housing vouchers risk using the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument. Connect youth with housing vouchers to sustainable community resources that match YASI need domains as well as responsivity needs, such as mental health services, substance use treatment services, medical services, transportation, food assistance, etc. Assist youth in completing assessments related to housing vouchers. Regional Housing Specialist Duties -Develop a bank of resources for use by the region with youth who are transitioning to independent living. Housing resources – voucher programs, available apartments in the geographical area, vouchering process, sober living arrangements, and other housing options. Supportive Services – transportation, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medicalservices, food assistance, parenting resources, and other human services agencies in each community inthe region. Employment and Education – development of relationships with employers, training programs,local community colleges, training programs as well as local workforce centers. Creation of options foremployment/career development for youth on independent living and using housing vouchers. Providing expert guidance to the region’s client managers on accessing and using services in localcommunities in the region. Provide subject matter expertise to the region on child welfare guidance and processes regarding housingvouchers, Chaffee, the Division of Housing, and other housing programs. Identify housing resources offered by counties and other entities in each geographical area. Provide specific examples of regular, ongoing decisions made by this position related to this duty. Decisions regarding the most effective approaches to use when engaging with community providers. Decisions regarding effective approaches in working with apartment complex managers to ensure DYS youthhave housing options. Decisions regarding counseling client managers on the appropriate resources available for youth who willbe/are living independently. Regional Housing Specialist Duties - Develop a bank of resources for use by the region with youth who are transitioning to independent living. Housing resources – voucher programs, available apartments in the geographical area, vouchering process, sober living arrangements, and other housing options. Supportive Services – transportation, mental health treatment, substance use treatment, medical services, food assistance, parenting resources, and other human services agencies in each community in the region. Employment and Education – development of relationships with employers, training programs, local community colleges, training programs as well as local workforce centers. Creation of options for employment/career development for youth on independent living and using housing vouchers. Providing expert guidance to the region’s client managers on accessing and using services in local communities in the region. Provide subject matter expertise to the region on child welfare guidance and processes regarding housing vouchers, Chaffee, the Division of Housing, and other housing programs. Identify housing resources offered by counties and other entities in each geographical area. Regional Housing Liaison - Act as a liaison between State and County level committees and workgroups and the region. Effectively communicate this information to the region. Participate in State and County committees as necessary, jointly representing the regional perspective. Work in collaboration with all three Housing Specialists to ensure a unified, consistent approach to the use of housing vouchers, accessing, and using resources, interpreting child welfare memos, and other aspects of DYS’ housing practices. Other Duties as Assigned - Other duties that may arise during the course of day-to-day operations.