Regional Access Point (RAP) Assessment & Diversion Specialist

The Regional Access Point (RAP) Assessment & Diversion Specialist serves families, single adults and young adults experiencing homelessness who are residing throughout the Seattle and King County area. The Assessment & Diversion Specialist will provide core services of system entry including:

• discussion of diversion options
• household assessment using the VI-SPDAT
• communication/coordination with clients and participating Coordinate Entry for All (CEA) agencies/programs andhousing navigation services

This position will focus on shelter diversion services with the goal of quickly housing individuals and families seeking shelter, providing an alternative to entering emergency shelter. They will work with each family to identify solutions and alternative housing arrangements that quickly resolves the housing crisis. The RAP Assessment & Diversion Specialist will work with Coordinated Entry for All (CEA) and other County and City agencies to facilitate access to additional services which may include: Housing location, landlord engagement; Partnership in the Seattle/King County WorkSource system, linkages to behavioral and physical health services as needed.

• Intake & Referrals/ System Entry Services: Accept household appointments and walk-in clients of any household type and offer alternative offsite access (mobile and/or phone assessments, etc.). Discuss diversion options, and where appropriate, referrals to diversion services. Provide Household Assessment using CEA Housing Triage Tool to determine type of housing referral likely based on vulnerability score. Discuss next steps with household and what to expect based on current housing placement by vulnerability score. Facilitate identification of household strengths and needs, resources and/or referrals to other mainstream services, notably health, employment, and education to increase household income using a whole-health approach. Provide Housing Navigation Services to ensure clients are supported in gathering documentation needed for housing screening. Conduct inspection of rental properties to ensure habitability once it is determined safe to do so.
• Communication: Ensure clear and consistent communication and coordination with clients and participating CEA agencies/programs. Assist clients in advocating for their needs and accessing services and resources. Act as a liaison between clients, families, support networks, landlords and community agencies involved with their needs, and maintain ongoing communication with other providers as necessary.
• Community Connection: Facilitate access to additional services from a whole-health perspective, which may include: housing location, landlord engagement; participate in outreach efforts, develop, and maintain partnerships with other community agencies to facilitate referrals, including DSHS/Seattle/King County WorkSource/Medicaid/HEN; varied behavioral and physical health services, etc.
• Record Keeping: Input data into local HMIS, Caseworthy and other data entry systems - consistently attending trainings and seeking learning opportunities, updating skills as new information is available. Maintain accurate and confidential client case records and electronic files in required database systems ensuring client records are kept in accordance with agency and contract standards. Maintain accurate and timely data, documentation, and success stories to meet program goals and contractual requirements.
• Teamwork:Participate in program, department, and agency meetings. Attend inter-agency groups that provide assistance and advocacy to homeless families. Participate in County and Regional Learning Circles and trainings as needed.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.