Referral & Eligibility Coordinator at Catholic Social Services Alaska

Referral & Eligibility Coordinator (REC) is responsible for maintaining the Complex Care referrals and waitlist. REC determines the eligibility of recipients for Complex Care through interactive interviewing and fact gathering; maintain current knowledge of program regulations and procedures necessary for program caseload administration; initiate and process casework through Apricot data system; performing quality control and/or quality assurance reviews; identify needs and make appropriate referrals for health, social, and/or other community resources; and perform related work as required. 

CSS is a Catholic human and social services agency and behavioral health care provider that welcomes people of all faiths through its programs and employment. We provide help for our Alaskan neighbors through a variety of supportive service programs, including emergency shelter, food stability, housing, case management, and refugee assistance. CSS empowers individuals and families on their path to permanent stability, creating thriving communities for all. Located in Anchorage, Alaska, CSS is a nationally accredited organization through the Council on Accreditation (COA), which recognizes that CSS provides high quality services that meet best practice standards in the social service field. 

Mission: To promote the physical, spiritual and mental welfare of persons in need in the community. This mission is achieved by:

• Offering charitable assistance to those in need, especially persons who are poor
• Developing and conducting programs to strengthen and support families and the dignity of the human spirit
• Administering the Corporal Works of Mercy and Gospel of Jesus Christ as defined by the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church and envisioned by the traditional concepts of Catholic Social Teaching and Action through the laity
• And advocating for social justice for the common good of all

The Complex Care Shelter (the Sockeye hotel) provides supportive services for individuals who have difficulty accessing and navigating congregate shelter due to disability or health characteristics. CCS operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week serving up to 83 guests nightly in single or double occupancy rooms. CSS provides day services to adult men, women and seniors in a trauma informed service model. Please go to Complex Care - Catholic Social Services - Alaska (cssalaska.org) for more information about CCS.

Must be able to maintain program/guest/agency confidentiality as directed by company, state, and federal laws. 

Ability to set and observe appropriate personal limits and boundaries.

Excellent interpersonal skills

Demonstrates leadership, dependability, maturity, creativity, discretion, initiative.

Teamwork: Interacts efficiently with people throughout the agency, the shelter, and when working outside the shelter with local community service providers. 

Stress Tolerance: Displays emotional resilience. Deals with difficult and adverse events while maintaining professionalism and caring. Responds appropriately in the face of tension, emotion, and resistance. Seeks support from others when necessary and uses appropriate coping techniques.

Flexibility: Has the capacity to adjust to changes in the environment at the program, agency, local, state, and federal level.  Seeks opportunity from a changing landscape.

Relationships: Can develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships with individuals and partner organizations.

Data Management: Understands the importance of accurate and complete data collection and reporting while maintaining client centered and trauma informed practices.  Can interpret and use data to make programmatic decisions.

Communication: Communicates effectively across sectors and with multiple individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences.  Demonstrates empathy and compassion in verbal and non-verbal communication.  Practice and model active listening techniques.

Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing.

Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care.

Knowledge of community resources within the Anchorage municipality 

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite 

Must be SOAR certified within 90 days of employment.

Provides support to the Program Director with weekly updates on referrals and participants on the waitlist. 

Acts as a representative of Catholic Social Services and Complex Care while working with community providers and potential Complex Care participants while maintaining the company’s Mission, Guiding Principles and embracing the company’s Impact statement.

Explains regulations, rules and policies to client’s & community partners and apprises them of their rights, responsibilities, and eligibility for participation. 

Resolves discrepancies by securing documentation records and confirmation from other agencies. 

Reviews and interprets information provided on a variety of forms both by the client and third parties to assist with eligibility determination. 

Determines need for additional services and makes referrals as needed to outside agencies to assist clients toward self-sufficiency and directs clients accordingly. 

Organizes and prioritizes workload so that necessary case records and documents are processed and updated within specific time limits. 

Completes and maintains case records, including written narratives, forms, and computer documents in a clear and readable format. 

Responds to questions and complaints of clients in person, by telephone, mail and/or email communication. 

Makes referrals to social service workers as needed. Assists with new guest intakes at Complex Care. 

Participates in special projects, studies, work assignments, meetings, conferences, and committees. 

Prepares correspondence and reports. 

Maintain current knowledge of working relationships with community resources and social service providers.  Attend interagency meetings as required. 

• Attending Anchorage Coalition on Homelessness and other partner agency meetings as required.  Network with other providers and attend community meetings on behalf of Complex Care as directed.

Submit monthly narrative, statistical, and grant reports; other reports as required.  

Attending CSS staff meetings and in-service training as required.  Regular and reliable attendance. 

Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent. 

Minimum Experience Requirement: Two (2) years of relevant work experience working with people experiencing homelessness. Experience in determining eligibility for programs in a public human services agency. Knowledge of housing resources for seniors and adults with varying barriers to permanent housing preferred. 

A relevant combination of education and experience may be considered. 

Work environment: This position is located within a non-congregated shelter. This location has a mix of office space, guest rooms, and common areas. Remote work completed rarely. Frequently required to stand and walk for duration of shift. Occasional driving is required.  Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds. Frequently sitting or standing at a desk for several hours at a time.

Physical demands: the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting, and driving.

Travel: Travel out of Alaska is rare. Occasional travel within Anchorage is required. 

Location: 303 W. Fireweed Ln. Anchorage, AK.