Community Health & Housing Navigator

Wherever there is a need in La Crosse County you'll find The Salvation Army. We not only strive to help our community with shelter and food, but to also empower our youth as well. The Salvation Army strives to meet our residents where they are at and to help them in their journey. With everyone who passes through our doors we welcome with arms. We want to be a place that our residents can call home until they are ready for their next steps in life. If you want to help make a difference by serving your community and helping those in need, apply now!

The Community Health & Housing Navigator will provide social, behavioral, and resource support to clients as they navigate the health care and social service systems.  This position will be primarily working with current shelter residents and those recently moved into housing to provide systems navigation services in which an individual’s needs are identified and the medical, psychosocial and rehabilitative services designed to meet those needs are coordinated in collaboration with other professionals.

About The Role:

• Finds and engages with shelter residents and recently housed former residents to assess risks, eligibility for services, and provide referral information. Communicates with clients in-person, by telephone, electronically or by mail.
• Documents in a timely and accurate manner all encounters, referrals, and follow up in the SIMS database.
• Tracks client progress towards identified outcomes with community agencies and assist in obtaining services required for risk reduction.
• Maintains knowledge of available community-based resources and programs to assist in meeting client needs.
• Meets clients at minimum, monthly for appointments.
• Assists in scheduling and accessing health and service appointments for client as needed.
• Assists in ensuring that services provided yield the expected outcomes through education, communication, collaboration, and client advocacy, while preserving confidentiality.
• Acts as a liaison between the client and care team to support and provide resources for individuals.
• Accompany clients to appointments as needed.
• Provide guidance and resources to prevent future evictions.
• Manage and coordinate group recreational activities for shelter residents and alumni.
• Assist case managers in connecting current & former residents with peer-to-peer agencies.
• Follow through on assigned quality (QA) assurance activities.
• Provides support and educational activities for clients in order to motivate and promote health knowledge, self-sufficiency, self-care and to assist individuals in developing skills related to better health. Educational activities include but are not limited to community resources, health education, social support, and daily living skills.
• Plays a consistent and active role in identifying project inefficiencies and finding collaborative solutions to the problems.
• Identify and apply appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries.
• Maintain skill and competence levels by attending department/staff meetings, Community of Practice meetings, and by participating in continuous training as required and appropriate.
• Maintain confidentiality of client-related information and maintain respectful treatment of clients.

Education: Two years of college required in a related field; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Certifications: Peer Support Specialist or Community Health Worker certifications   preferred.  Willingness to obtain if not already certified.

Experience: Minimum one-year working or volunteering in human services, healthcare, community outreach, health education, or related direct service. 

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

Who We Are:

Our Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Our message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by the love of God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human need in His name without discrimination.

Why work for us?

The Salvation Army’s brand promises to Do the Most Good® - and it’s our employees that help us get there.  At every level, you can have a real impact on your community through the work done inside our walls every day.  

We are as impassioned about our employees as we are about our mission to help anyone in need without discrimination. Our culture reflects this quality, which makes our offices a seriously great place to work. Just walk inside our doors and you’ll quickly see that our employees are proud to support programs that make a difference.

The Salvation Army recognizes that peace of mind is important to employees and their families.  Because of this, we offer :

• Competitive Salary
• Flexible schedules and a casual dress environment
• Generous paid time off benefits (vacation, sick time, personal time, and 11 paid holidays)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 support, resources, and referrals to help you in your work and personal life
• Insurance benefits: excellent health, dental, vision, life, disability 
• Discounts available for pet insurance, auto insurance, and home insurance  

Full-time employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week will be eligible for full benefits, including health, dental, vision and hearing benefits, basic and voluntary life benefits, holiday pay and paid time off, which is pro-rated based on their regularly scheduled work week.

Non-Exempt Employees: Health, dental, vision, and hearing benefits, as well as basic and voluntary life benefits, will begin on the first day of the month following 90 days of employment. If the completion of a 90-day waiting period occurs on the first day of the calendar month, coverage will begin on that day.

Compensation:

At The Salvation Army - We honor the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We are dedicated to fair pay practices, ensuring equal compensation for equal work, regardless of gender, race, or other factors.

Be part of something meaningful. Whether you're supporting those in need, assisting with disaster relief, or working in areas like finance or fundraising, each role offers a chance to make a lasting impact. If you're looking to align your career with your values, explore opportunities at The Salvation Army and help us create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

Compensation: $18.53 - $23.16/hour, based on experience.