Community Resource Specialist - Yolo County Children's Alliance

ROLE IMPACT

Your impact as a Community Resource Specialist as part of the Yolo County Community Health Initiative (CHI) helps YCCA in meeting the needs of the communities we serve by improving access to comprehensive health care services through education, advocacy, and funding. Your role is to educate residents as to the options for health care coverage for children, assist with the enrollment process for available programs, implement processes and services which streamline eligibility procedures and the enrollment process and take other steps necessary to help provide access to quality health care coverage for children in Yolo County.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST

You will work with the Family Resource team leadership to provide outreach services to locate uninsured low to moderate income children and their families in Yolo County and assists them in obtaining and accessing health care services, publicly funded health care coverage and other health insurance options. You will make initial contact with families, assess their health insurance needs, assist the client in completing the appropriate health insurance application and educate the client and their family about the importance of health insurance and how to utilize health care services appropriately. In certain situations you may refer clients to appropriate health and social services. Daily duties may include:

• Identify and enroll eligible children in health insurance programs
• Assist families in completing and submitting enrollment forms and in supporting continued enrollment (for health insurance, CalFresh, Income Tax Services, free and reduced school lunch and more)
• Provide follow-up to include telephone calls, appointments, etc. to ensure that families complete the enrollment process and maintain current enrollment
• Assist families in the resolution of barriers to enrollment and maintenance of health insurance and CalFresh
• Assist families in accessing health care services
• Educate families and groups about essential community services, health insurance plans and use of social services and the health care system
• Support and work with families to help them identify community resources and essential services that will help bring stability to the family
• Support and work with families to help them access the community resources and essential services that they deem appropriate
• Advocate for and act as a liaison for families with existing community resources and essential services agencies, which may include routine translation and interpretation
• Develop and maintain relationships with other services providers as a way of collaborating, streamlining work and increasing use of services by families
• Conduct a variety of screenings, assessments, and appropriate enrollments with families at school, HHSA or clinic locations.
• During interactions with families, if necessary, empower them to engage in problem solving
• Coordinate and/or participate in outreach events and activities
• Document community health access issues and report findings
• Participates in special projects, assignments and tasks as needed
• Must work YCCA sanctioned community events that assist in delivering program services to the communities we serve
• And any other related assigned duties needed to help drive our Vision and fulfill our Mission

CHARACTERISTICS & SKILLS FOR A CANDIDATE TO SUCCEED IN THE ROLE

Must Have Skills

• MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and ability to work effectively in a secure database.
• Knowledgeable about Yolo County, its community organizations, government agencies, and businesses.
• Must possess a valid California Driver's license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance to travel between sites and to offsite events.
• Must be available for occasional night and weekend work.
• Must read, write and speak Spanish fluently.
• Exemplary interpersonal skills and able to work cooperatively and in a supportive manner within an interdisciplinary team, and culturally diverse populations.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize assignments.
• Knowledge of social services, health care services and free and reduced cost health insurance options.

Nice to Have Skills

• Prior working knowledge of CalFresh and CalWorks government programs
• Understanding of or experience with the 5 protective factors
• Understanding of or experience with trauma informed care
• Knowledge of child welfare system, educational system, and issues that affect families

Essential Physical Requirements

Candidates must be able to perform tasks which involve the ability to lift up to 20 lbs in sedentary to light work daily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Experience & Educational Background

Candidates must have at least 2 years' experience in similar work or have an Associate degree or above in Social Work, Psychology or Social Services. Bachelor's Degree from accredited 4-year college or university in the health or human service field preferred. Completion of Certified Application Assistant training and experience in providing application assistance is strongly preferred.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At Yolo County Children's Alliance, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education or disability, feels valued and respected. We are committed to a nondiscriminatory approach and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all our departments, programs, and worksites. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard.

We're committed to modeling diversity and inclusion for our industry sector, and to maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all.