Job Title: ImpACT SOAR Specialist
Department: Programs
Reports To: ImpAct Housing Program Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt/Full Time
Position Summary
The ImpACT SOAR Specialist works collaboratively with clients in a permanent supportive housing program to help them submit disability claims to the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) is a model designed to help individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness overcome barriers and increase access to disability income benefits. The ImpACT SOAR Specialist works closely with clients through each step of the SOAR process with the goal of helping them obtain sustainable income and insurance coverage.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities (inclusive but not exhaustive):
- Work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary housing support services team to identify clients with serious mental illness, medical impairment, and/or co-occurring substance use disorder who meet disability criteria and need to submit a disability claim.
- Maintain a caseload of 10-12 clients.
- Coordinate services and support for assigned clients with other members of the support services team.
- Educate clients around each step of claim process to ensure understanding and cooperation among clients.
- Initiate claim with each client by setting protected filing date and obtaining appointment as client’s designated representative for claim.
- Support clients in accessing necessary medical and mental health care.
- Coordinate visits and schedule appointments to primary care, mental health care, and specialists to obtain medical evidence of disability and assist client in obtaining care.
- Accompany clients to appointments with medical providers and SSA, transporting clients in personal vehicle as needed.
- Complete interviews with clients to gather information required to complete SOAR assisted claim.
- Gather and review medical records and other applicable information needed to complete SOAR assisted claim.
- Write SOAR Medical Summary Reports for all client applications.
- Submit full SOAR claim to SSA and follow it throughout the entire disability determination process, communicating with SSA and Disability Determination Services (DDS) as needed.
- Assist clients whose claims are approved to enroll in Medicaid managed care program.
- Assist clients whose claims are approved to enroll in representative payee services as needed or required by SSA.
- Participate in community meetings related to SOAR specific topics and processes.
Program and Organizational Duties:
- Work creatively and professionally with other team members and Supervisor to determine best integration of activities and resources for clients within the agency and community.
- Engage in appropriate teamwork functions in order to provide a professional working environment and effective service delivery.
- Assist team with administrative tasks or special projects as needed.
- Manage case data by documenting client contacts, goals, and outcomes in the Service Point database system (HMIS) and maintain accurate records.
- Complete data entry and produce reports agency and grantor in an accurate and timely manner.
- Interact with people with diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds, gender identity, and sexual identity and treat all community members with dignity and respect.
- Comply with all applicable training requirements.
- Comply with all company safety, personnel and operational policies and procedures.
- Comply with work schedule to ensure effective operations of Agency programs.
- Contribute positively as a member of a productive and cooperative team.
- Work cooperatively with all components of Caritas of Austin services.
- Participate in regular staffing meetings with other Caritas Housing Programs staff, monthly department meetings, and quarterly all-staff meetings.
- Perform other duties as necessary to fulfill the Caritas of Austin Mission.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Basic knowledge of severe and persistent mental illness and substance abuse.
- Basic knowledge of Housing First, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing and Stages of Change, Trauma Informed Care and Crisis De-Escalation.
- Ability to form partnerships in the community and seek out community resources.
- Strong oral communication and writing skills.
- Strong organizational, time management, and data management skills.
- Proven ability to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
- Ability to multi-task and problem solve under pressure.
- Ability to provide positive customer service to challenging populations.
- Experience engaging with a diverse population and ability to respond appropriately to crisis situations.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and engagement skills with a challenging population and in non-traditional work conditions.
- Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with persons with severe and persistent mental illness and respect for client rights and personal preferences are essential.
Qualifications:
EDUCATION
Required: Bachelor’s degree; social work or a related degree preferred
Preferred: Master’s degree in social work or a related field; social work license
EXPERIENCE
Required: Minimum one year’s professional experience working directly with low-income, diverse, and underserved populations in a social services agency. Must
possess or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver's license within 30 days of employment.
Preferred: Past work in housing programs or with people experiencing homelessness; experience working with people with mental health disorders; experience with Crisis Intervention.
Preferred: Experience working with Social Security disability claims, Medicaid, and/or other benefits is preferred; SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery) certification.
COMPUTER SKILLS
Experience working with various software programs: word processing, spread sheet and database (HMIS).
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Preferred – Bilingual proficiency (English, Spanish, ASL, or other language)
Salary/Benefits:
- Base Salary Range: $43,467-$49,702.
- Employer paid health, dental, vision, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance for employees.
- 14 Paid Holidays per year.
- 20 days of accrued PTO in year one with increases up to 31 days per year.
- Retirement plan with employer match.
- Discounted Rates on Gold’s Gym and Legal Shield memberships.
- Mileage Reimbursement.
- Monthly Phone Stipend.
- Monthly Paid Parking for employees who office from the Downtown Location.
Caritas of Austin is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
