Agency Information

Interfaith Council for the Homeless was founded in 1984, and changed its name to Facing Forward to End Homelessness in 2010.  Facing Forward to End Homelessness currently provides permanent supportive housing to homeless single women and families.  The operating budget is approximately $1.5 million. There is a staff of 12, including an Executive Leadership Team of four, a team of six Case Managers, a Development Associate and a Data Specialist. 

This opportunity arises due to the retirement of the current Executive Director.  Bill Johnson assumed the Executive Director role in 2005, stepping off the Board to provide short-term leadership, which evolved in to an eight-year Board/ED partnership.  This position provides a unique opportunity to make change, grow the organization, provide permanent housing, and reunify families.   

MISSION

Facing Forward to End Homelessness ends homelessness for families and individuals by offering hope, help and housing. Facing Forward provides permanent housing, education, advocacy, and social services.

Facing Forward residents are determined women who, finding themselves homeless and broken, made the decision to face forward and move down a new path.  By surrounding these women with a framework of support and holding them accountable for their progress, Facing Forward gives them the best chance for a new life.  

We foster an atmosphere of achievement where goals are set, met and celebrated. By providing permanent housing and a full array of services, including case management, healthcare, referrals for substance abuse treatment, mental health issues, education and job training, we give Chicago's homeless individuals and children the tools they need to reclaim their lives.  Eighty-four percent of Facing Forward clients leave the program as being self-sufficient and pay full market rent. Seventy-five percent of Facing Forward children are currently working at grade level, and twelve percent are on the honor roll.

The organization fulfills its mission through these primary programs:

Sanctuary Place is located on the west side of Chicago and houses Facing Forward’s main offices. It is a campus environment providing homes to 63 single women in SRO apartments and 6 families in town homes. The residents create a supportive community that provides peer support in addition to the on-site case management team.

Shelter Graduates offers case management and affordable housing to families in scattered site apartments primarily on the west and south sides of Chicago. Facing Forward received a competitive award from HUD last year and is now providing permanent supportive housing for an additional 15 families as part of our Shelter Graduates program. This addition brings our Shelter Graduates program total to 44 families. 

The Adopt-a-Family program partners with faith communities and others to sponsor families in need throughout Chicagoland.

Position Summary:

The Director of Programs is an Executive level program staff member responsible for overseeing agency program services. The Director of Programs is responsible for the development and delivery of services to clients; development and delivery of all programs and ensures that programs comply with guidelines and regulations of funding sources. The Director of Programs ensures that policies and procedures and implementation of services are consistent with Facing Forward’s mission, vision, and values.

Essential Job Functions:

Program Delivery (5%)

• Develops and implements quality assurance measures including: ensuring program eligibility, policies and procedures, and programs are operating to meet expected goals and outcomes
• Collaborates with other social service providers and systems level agencies to develop linkage agreements and resources.
• Participates in the development of curriculum and presentation of agency/program volunteer opportunities and educational experiences

Staff Management (40-50%)

• Supervises assigned staff, including recruitment and selection; scheduling and job assignment; providing for the delivery of services, and for coaching, development, training, and performance evaluation; and recommending salary, disciplinary and other personnel actions in accordance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Schedules and plans regular case management staff meetings
• Assess the needs of the agency and evaluate staff and resources to deliver services and document interactions
• Administrative oversight of all service delivery including quality and quantity of work including data quality management of case management database systems (HMIS) to ensure data entry by contract agreements.
• Ensures that staff are informed of, understand and comply with all polices and regulations
• Coordinates staff and volunteer participation in events including but not limited to the Day in the Life Experience, Town Hall meetings, etc.)

Program Administration (15-20%)

• Assists in the preparation of Government contract renewals and reporting
• Collects data for required reports and ensures accuracy of data
• Prepares required reports to governmental agencies and donors
• Participates in site visits and attends fundraisers, networks with donors and the board, and other organizational events, as needed
• Ensure the offices are maintained to reflect the agency’s professional standards

Program Planning and Evaluation (20-25%)

• With the Executive team, assist in development of new programs and evaluation of programs
• Develops program policies and procedures, ensures case managers’ compliance
• Keeps abreast of funding and regulations from governmental and foundation contracts as they affect programming
• Develops strategic plans for programs, staffing, and facilities
• Analyze program performance and implement changes/updates as necessary

Organizational Management (15%)

• Collaborates with the Executive Team in the research and development of a Medicaid billing program and other potential funding sources to achieve strategic financial and programmatic goals
•  Assists in the development of the Agency’s budget
• Responsible for the monitoring and implementation of the Program budget
• Participates in and supports grant development and strategy
• Participates in senior management meetings and strategic planning activities

Other Responsibilities

• Use email, text and other contemporary technologies to communicate with staff and others to efficiently complete work assignments and foster an open and collaborative work environment.
• Protects the organizations value by keeping information confidential
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks, participating in professional organizations
• Performs other duties as assigned

Attendance at Meetings Required (10%)

• Board meetings, once a month (as requested)
• Casa Kirk, quarterly meeting
• Chicago Alliance (serve as back-up to Director of Operations)
• Participation in cross agency/system level teams and meetings

Attendance at Events Required

• Good Neighbor Workshops
• Day in the Life
• Client Recognition Day
• Staff Recognition Day
• Board Picnic
• 3H Social
• Other events as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Certification, License

• MSW required.
• LCSW required. Provisions can be made for a qualified candidate who can achieve LCSW within a reasonable period, not to exceed 18 months.

Experience

• Five years of program development required (in Housing and Homeless Services preferred) (Strategizing, Planning, Executing, Growing, and Evaluating new programs)
• Five years staff supervision required
• Experience in Trauma Informed Care, Critical Time Interventions, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, & Harm Reduction required

Skills and Abilities Requirements

• Proficient in use and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (2010 or newer) and general office equipment
• Proficiency in using Chicago Service Point (HMIS)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with persons who may be ill, disabled, emotionally upset and/or hostile; ability to show empathy; ability to express empathy and compassion while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Ability to problem solve and implement solutions independently and collaboratively
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, projects, and programs concurrently
• Ability to motivate others toward achieving goals and work independently with clear sense of boundaries and professionalism
• Ability to develop relationships with other community agencies and build community resources

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

• Work is normally performed in a typical office work environment
• Sitting for extended periods is required
• Intermittent physical activity including standing, walking, bending, lifting (up to 20 pounds)
• Normal manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination, corrected hearing and vision to normal range, verbal communication is required
• Work week is generally 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, but evening and weekend work is required for emergencies and for some events and meetings
• Vehicle Required
• Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

This description provides a summary of the major duties and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities. The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the needs of the organization.

Submission Requirements

Interested candidates should send their resume with a cover note that includes salary expectations to [email protected] Please indicate “Director of Programs” as the Subject in your email.

To be considered as a candidate, resumes with cover letters should be received no later than September 11, 2015.

Our benefits include health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, a 403(b) Retirement Plan

Facing Forward to End Homelessness is an Equal Opportunity Employer