Emergency Assistance Worker

at The Salvation Army USA Central Territory in Blue Island, Illinois, United States

Job Description

THE SALVATION ARMY
NORTH & CENTRAL ILLINOIS DIVISION
The Salvation Army Blue Island Worship & Community Center
POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Emergency Assistance Worker
LOCATION/DEPT: The Salvation Army Blue Island Worship & Community Center
REPORTS TO (TITLE): Corps Officer(s)
FLSA CATEGORY: Non-Exempt
STATUS TYPE: RFT

OUTCOMES
Interviews and assists persons, who come to the Corps requesting emergency and/or temporary financial assistance. Provides assessment and develops service plans to address current or future needs. May provide material assistance based on available resources. Provides information and referral for additional or more appropriate services to meet the unmet needs of individuals and families served through the Emergency Assistance Program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Direct Client Services
Interview persons, requesting assistance, to assess their needs. Obtains background information from the client and makes assessment.
Develop a service plan with the individual or family to identify service needs and goals. Collaborates with area agencies involved with clients in implementing service plans.
Grants material assistance based upon need and as a part of a total service plan. Verifies eligibility. Documents income, expenses, and family size.
Distributes in-kind or financial aid according to Emergency Assistance Program Policies & Procedures Manual, (i.e. clothing, food, household furnishings, vouchers for rent/utilities, etc.).
Distributes utility assistance, according to established "Share the Warmth," "Sharing" and other existing program policies.
Supports the Corps Officer in the execution of our Christmas Angel tree program. Assist in the application process and other distribution of seasonal Christmas assistance, according to the Corps Seasonal Assistance Program Policy & Procedures (i.e. Applications, Coat Vouchers, Christmas baskets, Angel Tree Program).
Makes referrals, based upon need and as a part of the total service plan. Makes specific arrangements for clients to apply for additional resources, when appropriate. Refers individuals/families to:
Other area agencies/services
Homeless Shelters, etc.
Other corps services (i.e. Head Start, etc.)
Other Salvation Army services for longer-term help (i.e. Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Lodge, Family & Community Services, Harbor Light Center, etc.)
Build relationships with our partners, organizations, businesses, and potential friends. Keep an updated list of local resources which is available at the Front Desk.
Maintains concise comprehensive written case records on all clients requesting assistance, including FEMA, utility assistance programs, rental assistance, clothing/coat vouchers, and seasonal Christmas assistance. Consistently updates the interviewer's notes on the client database. The interviewer's notes include assessment, service plan, assistance given, and referrals made.
Oversee the Food Pantry Program.
Receive required or proper training for Salvation Army social services programs. (ie: GCFD training, DHQ/THQ Social Services Workshops, and others as assigned).
Actively search and write grants that could benefit TSA.
Record Keeping
Create and update client files and input data into the SIMS database.
Maintain all necessary statistics and data with on-time monthly submission of statistics to Corps Officer(s).
Complete required reports and submit them on a timely basis.
Community Relations
Maintains an updated community resource file of area services and maintains positive relationships with frequently used service providers. Have numbers, emails, and other contact information neatly on the desk at fingertips reach, and available to front desk receptionist.
Attends appropriate social service provider network meetings (i.e. pantry network, Wholefoods, Chick-fil-A, GCFD, Hunger resources, Operation Homefront, etc.).
Distributes Emergency Assistance Program Intake Policy to agencies, churches, and schools, and interprets policies and services as needed.
Attends emergency service workshops sponsored by various agencies.
Food Pantry
Secure and supervise volunteers in preparing food bags, shopping, restocking, etc.
Intake clients and shop with clients.
Keep the area clean and organized. Help with deliveries and restocking.
Attend yearly USDA meetings and prepare... For full info follow application link.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Salvation Army is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified job applicants, job candidates, and employees with disabilities to ensure they enjoy equal access to all employment opportunities and benefits of employment as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. EEO is the Law.