Resident Service Coordinator - Logan Square

SUMMARY

The Resident Services Coordinator (SC) works to empower residents to be as self-sufficient as possible. The SC will provide information and referrals that focuses on housing success, crisis intervention, employment, education, and health and safety. The SC maintains a mutually respectful collaborative relationship with Property Management and works proactively to decrease the number of notices that result in evictions. The SC employs proper Landlord/Tenant and Fair Housing Law Practices and Policies.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS include the following.

• Provides general service management including intake, education (services available and application procedures) and referral of residents to service providers in the general community. These social services may include

• Counseling
• Financial assistance
• Home health aides
• homemakers

• meals-on wheels
• other needed services
• preventive health screening
• transportation

• Develop a Resource Directory that includes a listing of state and/or local service providers that residents can contact for assistance. Examples include services to families, children, individuals who are elderly, persons with disabilities, and emergency assistance. Frequently, state and local governments can also provide a listing of non-profit agencies they contract for services.
• Sponsor educational events that can include subjects relating to health care, agency support, life skills, referral sources, and others.
• Facilitate the formation of resident associations within the property if the residents are interested. The formation of these groups assists the residents in planning social events, organizing activities, and discussing daily life issues.
• Monitor the ongoing provision of services from community agencies and keep the case management plan current with the progress of the individual. Manage the provision of supportive services where appropriate.

• Serve as a liaison to community agencies, network with community providers, and seek out new services available to the residents.
• Assist the residents in building informal support networks with other residents, family, and friends.

• Other duties may be assigned

ROLES

Investigator

SCs conduct research daily. For example, they perform the following tasks:

• Analyze the types, frequency, and other characteristics of services that residents use, need, and want
• Study available community services and the eligibility requirements of each service
• Research residents' involvement and satisfaction with educational and social programs, residents' interest in latest programs, and barriers to greater participation
• Assess resident and community resources and capacities
• Observe residents to identify needs
• Other duties may be assigned

Educator

SCs inform residents about service availability, how to apply for services and benefits, consumer rights, and other relevant issues. They inform staff members about the coordinator's role and about issues related to aging. This information can help other staff members to better perform their job tasks, know how and when to use the coordinator, and promote acceptance of the coordinator. (Effective coordinators also learn from residents and other staff.)

In addition, coordinators handle the following responsibilities:

• Organize programs on topics of interest to residents
• Distribute consumer materials often available free from organizations such as state and area agencies on aging, the American Association of Retired Persons, the National Council on the Aging, senior centers, councils on aging, legal services offices, or the services or programs themselves, such as Medicare and Medicaid.
• Help property managers and residents recognize and solve safety or accessibility problems
• Connect residents with educational and recreational programs through the city or town, senior centers, Elderhostel, and other sources
• Work with libraries to facilitate services for residents
• Arrange or conduct resident leadership training sessions in areas such as how to run a meeting or how to write bylaws
• Other duties may be assigned

Community Builder

Effective SCs recognize that social environment and a sense of community are significant influences of individual health and well-being. SCs perform the following tasks:

• Assist residents in forming or strengthening resident organizations
• Help resident groups with activities and community issues
• Help residents build informal support networks with other residents, family, and friends
• Other duties may be assigned

Advocate/Liaison

SCs may act as liaisons with property manager or community agencies only if resident approaches the SC and requests assistance. SCs often act as advocates on behalf of residents in groups, one-to-one, formally, or informally. Whenever possible, SCs should work with the social services director and property manager to resolve issues together (without releasing confidential information). SCs may do the following:

• Advocate for additional and/or more appropriate supportive services
• Plead residents' causes with property management and seek…