The Mental Health Resource Specialist provides support to address the mental health needs of young adults experiencing homelessness in North and East King County.
essential duties
Behavioral Health Support Services
- Provide street-based crisis intervention as needed and support young people interested in mental health care.
- Offer culturally tailored referrals to mental health resources in the office, community, via telephone or at a location of the young person’s preference.
- Meet with young people accessing Drop-In Services to offer resources in conjunction with participant needs.
- Be present during Drop-In Services to maintain connection with young people interested in access to mental health resources.
- Utilize a strength-based model of engagement to connect with potential participants.
- Build positive rapport with young people to offer the most effective referrals for services.
- Provide case consultation and case coordination as needed to employees at the Willows Youth Services Center.
- Engage regularly in community outreach with the Street Outreach team to inform young people in encampments, libraries, local community centers, parks, etc., about the availability of mental health support services.
- Make referral connections for youth in North and East King County.
Community Outreach
- Develop partnerships with local service providers to ensure access to mental health resources for participants.
- Respond to crisis calls during the daytime hours that may come through the Street Outreach phone line.
- Offer training and presentations in the community regarding services offered at Friends of Youth.
Documentation and Evaluation
- Complete meaningful engagements, referral documents and other necessary reporting related tools for each participant.
- Ensure completion and adherence to program procedure as mandated, such as Incident Reports, connection to referrals, etc. in a timely manner.
- Complete reporting required by Health Care for the Homeless.
- Compile monthly reports in compliance with agency and contract requirements.
- Participate in weekly supervision, monthly case consultation meetings and monthly team meetings.
job requirements
a. Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a human-service field preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience, including supporting youth, young adults and families experiencing homelessness.
- Experience providing case management services with an emphasis on trauma-informed, positive youth development, housing first and harm reduction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of MS365 Power Platform.
b. Additional Requirements
- Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
- Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
- Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
- Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
- Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. There are no exemptions.
c. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Able to engage with diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring and celebrating diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity.
- Strong commitment to Friends of Youth’s mission, vision, and values.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
- Able to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with youth and young adults.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction philosophy. and strengths-based practice.
- Able and willing to travel to multiple local sites and other locations in personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided).
- Proficient skill set with Microsoft Office programs.
d. Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time. In this position, you must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and be able to access program locations, including the need to use stairs.
We offer:
- Generous time off including 15 vacation days per year, paid sick leave, 11 paid holidays, 2 social justice leave days per year for full-time employees
- Health insurance package including medical, dental, vision, 24/7 access to telehealth, long term disability and life insurance
- Retirement plan with match
- Transgender Health Benefits
Friends of Youth is committed to equity and creating a diverse and inclusive work environment as an equal opportunity employer. We welcome, honor, and celebrate our clients, colleagues, and communities’ diverse identities and cultures. For more information, email hr@friendsofyouth.org.
Compensation details: 26-32.5 Hourly Wage
PI67f39b419f2a-25826-34500436
