CAN Director

To provide staffing support and direct services for the implementation of activities in support of the Coordinated Access Network homeless service delivery system for the Meriden/Middletown/Wallingford area., * Coordinate Coordinated Access Network (CAN) functions with staff from participating agencies and troubleshoots system problems

• Maintains positive, collaborative relationships with CAN members and leadership
• Keep abreast and knowledgeable about issues and trends of homeless services and related social services by networking with local, state and national sector knowledge leaders
• Supervise front-line staff for CAN assessments, housing referral and placement, MMW data collection, and homelessness outreach services.
• Monitor MMW shelter stand-by list to ensure local emergency shelters are filling beds based on the MMW Shelter Prioritization
• Report updates and provide policy recommendations at CAN Steering Committee meetings
• Facilitate Housing Placement Team Meetings, which includes matching clients with available housing resources such as Rapid Re-housing and Permanent Supportive Housing and tracking progress of housing providers until client is housed
• Manage the MMW By-Name List, including cross checking of housing registry with Homeless Management Integration System (HMIS) database to track housing, eliminate duplication, and maintain data quality
• Maintains communication with administrative staff of 2-1-1
• Complete and monitor comprehensive policies and procedures for the MMW CAN
• Interfaces with CT Balance of State, Statewide CAN Committees, and regional CAN leadership
• Oversees CAN HMIS data quality
• Familiar and/or trained in HMIS, and Shelter Diversion
• Supervise Homeless outreach program
• Coordinate and supervise MMW Warming centers when applicable.

Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field. or similar combination of education and experience.

Experience:

Minimum of two years experience in housing case management and/or community organizing. Experience understanding issues facing the homeless, advocacy, facilitation skills, and fund development

Job Skills:

Advocacy and communications relations skills

Group facilitation skills Application of Research and data Public Speaking/Presentation skills

Computer skills Time management Recordkeeping

Interpersonal skills

Licenses /Certifications:

CT Driver’s License, access to privately maintained vehicle

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• 401(k) matching
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid holidays, * Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 401(k) with matching contributions
• Vacation Time
• Personal Time
• Sick Time
• Holiday Pay

New Opportunities’ mission is to improve the quality of life for economically disadvantaged individuals by providing the necessary resources to increase their standard of living, foster self-improvement, and maximize self-empowerment.

New Opportunities Inc. is the community action agency that serves Waterbury, Meriden, Torrington and 22 surrounding Connecticut towns. We offer a variety of social service programs designed to eliminate poverty and assist people in need.

Headquartered in Waterbury and the cities fourth largest employer, New Opportunities has additional offices in Meriden, Torrington, Danbury and Thomaston for the convenience of those they serve. Annually, more than 61,000 individuals benefit from programs offered at this agency, guided by the New Opportunities staff who helped them find the way to meet their needs.

In accordance with the mission of New Opportunities, the Agency aims to increase the self-sufficiency of its customers and support their move out of poverty toward a more middle-class lifestyle.

In 1964, the Agency incorporated as a private non-profit corporation in the State of Connecticut and is a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization. With an annual budget for 2014 in excess of $41 million dollars, New Opportunities administers more than 50 social service programs targeted to the low-income, elderly and disabled communities.

While the range of programs is broad, they fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Energy Assistance
• Fatherhood Initiative
• Child Welfare and Family Development Services
• Early Childhood Education Programs
• Elderly Services
• Homeless Shelter and Transitional Housing
• Ex-Offender Programs and Re-entry Services