About the Role
The Family Rehousing Specialist provides housing-focused, trauma-informed case management and advocacy services to families residing in an Emergency Assistance Family Shelter program. The Advocate works collaboratively with families to identify and address barriers to housing, develop individualized stabilization plans, and support successful transitions to permanent housing. This position advances YMCA and EOHLC goals by promoting housing stability, family well-being, self-sufficiency, and successful housing retention.
Key Responsibilities
Rehousing Case Management & Family Support
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify housing barriers, strengths, and immediate service needs.
- Develop, implement, and monitor individualized Rehousing Plans within required program timelines.
- Monitor family progress toward permanent housing goals and adjust plans to support timely exits from shelter.
- Provide strengths-based, trauma-informed case management focused on long-term housing stability.
- Conduct and document weekly case management meetings with assigned families.
- Assist families in accessing public benefits, healthcare, childcare, workforce development, educational opportunities, and other community resources.
- Coordinate referrals to behavioral health, substance use, legal, employment, and supportive service providers.
- Support school enrollment, transportation coordination, and educational advocacy for children.
- Deliver coaching in financial literacy, budgeting, parenting, household management, and independent living skills.
- Utilize motivational interviewing and family-centered practices to promote engagement and goal achievement.
EOHLC Program Compliance
- Complete intake, assessment, and discharge activities in accordance with EOHLC Emergency Assistance Family Shelter requirements.
- Ensure families understand shelter expectations, housing-focused goals, and program requirements.
- Participate in interdisciplinary case conferencing, program reviews, audits, monitoring visits, and corrective action processes.
Documentation & Data Management
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in ETO, and other required systems.
- Complete all assessments, service plans, referrals, progress notes, housing plans, and discharge documentation within established timelines.
- Track family outcomes and document progress toward housing and stabilization goals.
- Ensure data quality, completeness, and accuracy in accordance with program standards.
- Prepare reports and supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders as required.
Key Performance Metrics
Case Management & Family Engagement
- Conduct and document weekly case management meetings for 100% of assigned households.
- Complete comprehensive assessments within five business days of program entry.
- Update service and stabilization plans at least monthly for 100% of assigned families.
- Maintain active engagement with 95% of assigned households.
Family Self-Sufficiency
- Connect 100% of eligible families to public benefits, healthcare coverage, and community resources.
- Ensure 90% of employable adults are connected to employment, workforce development, education, or training opportunities within 30 days of intake.
- Facilitate financial literacy, budgeting, parenting, or life skills programming participation for 80% of assigned families.
Child & Youth Outcomes
- Ensure 100% of school-age children are enrolled in school in accordance with applicable requirements.
- Ensure 100% of eligible children are connected to early education, after-school, summer, or enrichment opportunities.
- Coordinate educational support and transportation services as appropriate.
Compliance & Documentation
- Maintain 100% completion of required case records and documentation standards.
- Enter all required case notes, referrals, service transactions, and assessments within 48 hours of service delivery.
- Achieve 95% or greater HMIS/ETO data quality standards.
- Maintain 100% compliance with EOHLC, YMCA, and contractual requirements.
- Successfully meet file review, monitoring, and audit standards.
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered.
- Minimum of two years of experience in housing homelessness services, case management, family support services, or related human services.
- Knowledge of EOHLC Emergency Assistance programs, HomeBASE, RAFT, affordable housing resources, public benefits, and community support systems.
- Experience working with families experiencing homelessness, housing instability, trauma, poverty, or other barriers to self-sufficiency.
- Strong assessment, advocacy, crisis intervention, problem-solving, and case management skills.
- Experience maintaining electronic case records and databases such as HMIS, ETO, or comparable systems.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining documentation and compliance requirements.
- Demonstrated commitment to cultural humility, equity, inclusion, and family-centered practice.
Job Benefits
Why work at the Y?
The YMCA of Greater Boston is an incredible place to have a fulfilling career or enjoy part-time employment — all while we are supporting and strengthening our communities, because our community is our cause. When you join us in your career here, you can look forward to:
- Developing your leadership skills in a caring, challenging & diverse working environment.
- Exploring a wide range of opportunities as you learn new skills and functions.
- Shaping the future of young children while making a difference each day for our communities and each other.
- Engaging in YMCA career training programs and working alongside those who have the same passion.
- A healthy work/life balance
- Comprehensive benefits including:
- FREE YMCA Membership for you.
- Discount on Specialty Programs like Personal Training and Swimming Lessons.
- Discounted or FREE family membership.
- Robust Retirement Plan up to 10%. (see eligibility requirement)
- Health, Dental, and Vision Benefit Package.
- Vacation and Sick Time (PT receive sick time)