Veteran Advocate

Job Title:         Veteran Advocate



Job Purpose:  The Veteran Advocate supports Veterans experiencing homelessness who are living in Wellspring’s VA Grant and Per Diem (GPD) transitional housing program. The Veteran Advocate offers low-barrier, same-day access to a safe place to stay and walks alongside each Veteran, using a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach that respects Veterans as the authors of their own lives, as they work toward permanent housing, increased income, and long-term stability.



Experience & Knowledge:

Minimum of High School education or equivalent

Preferred: currently enrolled in or pursuing a degree in social work, psychology, counseling, sociology, human services, or a related field

Two years experience working with people, preferably in human services, housing, or outreach

Experience with Veterans, homelessness, mental health, or substance use preferred; military service or lived experience welcome

Knowledge of community resources and benefits programs in Northeast Louisiana

Valid Louisiana driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance



Skills and Abilities:

Must be sensitive to the needs of others

Maintains confidentiality

Has the ability to work with Veterans in a manner that is trauma-informed, respectful, and non-judgmental

Supports Veterans in making their own choices and setting their own goals

Communicates and interacts with other staff, Veterans, VA staff, community partners, and volunteers from various backgrounds

Acts as an advocate for Veterans at all times

Maintains poise in crisis situations

Promotes a spirit of cooperation and respect in a shared living environment

Has the ability to act quickly when a Veteran is ready for housing or services

Exhibits flexibility within the work environment, including a non-traditional schedule

Possesses the ability to work as part of a team that supports Veterans

Accepts change

Maintains personal appearance consistent with agency standards

Exhibits effective verbal and written communication skills, including accurate, timely documentation

Assumes responsibility for personal learning



Core Values of Staff:

Compassion.                We act with compassion toward others and work for the good of others by respecting people as the authors of their own

                                     lives.

Customer Service.       We work to delight our customers, both internal and external

Integrity.                       We act with the integrity that promotes the highest confidence, trust and accountability

Leadership.                  We demonstrate leadership in our organization and the community.

Teamwork.                   We work as a team, achieving more collectively than individually.



Job Related Training Courses/Programs:

Orientation, including confidentiality, conflict of interest standards, and incident reporting procedures

Annual suicide prevention training (such as VA S.A.V.E.) and the agency’s suicide prevention procedures developed with the local VA medical facility

Crisis Intervention and de-escalation

Trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and housing-focused case management

VA Grant and Per Diem program requirements (38 CFR Part 61)

HMIS data entry and data quality

Mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect under Louisiana law

On-going in-service training on Veteran culture, military trauma, homelessness, substance use, and cultural responsiveness

Residential staff meetings and trainings



Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Conducts outreach and engagement with Veterans experiencing homelessness by

Going out on a regular schedule to streets, camps, parks, vehicles, abandoned buildings, and emergency shelters, including during evening and weekend hours,

Reaching Veterans who may not see themselves as eligible, including those with other-than-honorable discharges, and connecting them to the VA for an eligibility determination,

Increasing outreach when beds are open so Veterans are not left waiting, and

Participating in coordinated entry, the Veteran by-name list, and case conferencing for the LA-505 Northeast Louisiana Continuum of Care.



Provides low-barrier, same-day access to the program by

Completing intakes on the same day a Veteran is identified or referred by the VA or a community partner, including nights and weekends,

Keeping entry requirements to the minimum allowed by program policy and helping remove delays such as missing documents,

Welcoming Veterans to the program, explaining program guidelines and what to expect, and completing the intake packet, and

Distributing basic need items and helping each Veteran settle in.



Provides for Veteran physical and emotional needs by

Establishing personal rapport with each Veteran and listening carefully and without judgment,

Working with each Veteran to develop and regularly review an Individual Service Plan (ISP) with goals for housing, income, health, and support networks,

Connecting Veterans to VA, Medicare, Medicaid, and community medical, mental health, and substance use care,

Supporting access to at least three nutritious meals a day, seven days a week, and

Arranging or providing transportation to appointments, employment, and services.



Helps Veterans move into permanent housing and increase income by

Helping Veterans search for, apply for, and secure permanent housing, and engaging landlords,

Teaching tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting for rent, and how to resolve conflicts with landlords and neighbors,

Supporting job search, job training, and employment, and connecting Veterans to workforce and Department of Labor resources,

Assisting with applications for VA benefits, SSI/SSDI, SNAP, and other income supports, and

Connecting Veterans to aftercare such as GPD Case Management or SSVF before discharge to prevent a return to homelessness.



Promotes a safe, respectful shared living environment by

Making and documenting daily contact with each Veteran and meeting residential supervision requirements under 38 CFR § 61.80(b)(13),

Conducting resident meetings and supporting Veteran voice in the operation of the facility,

Securing the facility at the designated time and conducting checks throughout the night, and

Upholding the program’s clean and sober environment policy in a supportive way that keeps Veterans engaged in services after a relapse.



Maintains the cleanliness and safety of the residential facility by

Completing and turning in a daily task list,

Receiving, sorting, and distributing donations and food deliveries,

Following the regular cleaning schedule and supporting residents with shared chores, and

Reporting maintenance or safety concerns so the facility continues to meet VA inspection standards.



Provides crisis intervention for Veterans by

Responding to crises calmly and respectfully, and coordinating with the VA medical facility and community partners for urgent medical, psychiatric, or substance use needs,

Recognizing signs of suicide risk and following agency suicide prevention procedures, including connection to the Veterans Crisis Line, and

Reporting any critical incident (such as injury, overdose, or death) to the supervisor immediately so the agency can notify the VA GPD Liaison within 24 hours.



Supports medication safety by

Following the program’s medication control procedures and documenting as required.



Assures quality service by

Upholding program guidelines, VA Grant and Per Diem requirements (38 CFR Part 61), and grant terms and conditions,

Entering timely and accurate data into HMIS and agency files, including intakes, ISPs, progress notes, daily contacts, and discharges,

Supporting program performance goals for exits to permanent housing, employment and income at discharge, and fewer negative exits, and

Following agency procedures.



Assumes responsibility for professional development by

Attending educational workshops, seminars, and agency staff meetings and trainings.



Contributes to the team effort by

Communicating effectively with other staff persons,

Exhibiting a willingness to help other staff,

Demonstrating flexibility in work situations,

Engaging in friendly, supportive, and cooperative contacts with others.



Maintains safety of Veterans and staff at all times by

Complying with agency procedures, rules, and regulations.



Performs other duties as related to the position and as assigned

Work non-traditional hours, including evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays, as scheduled,

Work alternate schedules during special projects or to meet agency deadlines.