Intake Specialist (Y-Haven)

Y-Haven provides temporary housing and drug and alcohol treatment to adults in Cuyahoga County who are most in need. Formed in 1993 by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Y-Haven has helped thousands recover from addiction, secure permanent housing, and re-build their lives. Y-Haven offers healing and hope.

GENERAL FUNCTION:
The Intake Specialist  serves individuals before they come to Y-Haven and after 
they leave. The Intake Specialist also reviews referrals, conducts outreach, screens and admits individuals to Y-Haven and is responsible for helping Y-Haven meet its census goals. This position also provides SUD Counseling and Case Management services to help former residents with their recovery and with preventing homelessness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Answer the intake hotline, return missed phone calls, and respond to referral messages left in the 
intake email account. 
• Provide admission eligibility screenings for Y-Haven, Open Door, and Rising Hope. 
• Identify comorbid conditions, such as chronic physical and mental illness. 
• Provide intake, admission, assessment, and orientation services to new residents.
• Provide case management services as needed to prospective residents preparing for admission. 
• Provide individual case management, counseling, and crisis intervention services to a caseload of 
former residents who remain clinically active after leaving residency.
• Facilitate Outpatient group counseling with current and former residents who have completed IOP.
• Coordinate with Clinical Director on all critical clinical issues.
• Participate in daily team meetings, quality assurance meetings, in-service trainings and 
coordination meetings.

Administrative:
• Maintain accurate and thorough records for all clients served in the AWARDS electronic health 
record. Record all service activities by entering progress notes in the Y-Haven Electronic Medical 
Record.
• Assist in supplying data for and creating reports.
• Establish and maintain regular collaborative relationships with social service organizations and 
program s that current and former residents may utilize for employment, housing, continuing 
recovery and other needs.

Program:
• Recruit residents for Y-Haven, Rising Hope, and Open Door. Conduct screening and assessments 
wherever clients are located as needed, including emergency shelters, detox units, streets, jails, 
prisons, hospitals, etc. Visit shelters and detox programs as needed to interview program 
candidates. 
• Recruit residents who have recently left or are preparing to leave Y-Haven, Rising Hope, and Open 
Door for the Continuing Recovery program.
• Provide triage assessments and/or collect existing assessments for all new residents at admission.
• Provide comprehensive diagnostic assessments or diagnostic assessment updates within seven (7) 
days of admission for all new residents whose assessments are not available at admission.
• Assist Clinical Director in ensuring that bed capacity is 90% or above at Y-Haven, Open Door, and 

Rising Hope.
• Facilitate Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) groups on a limited, as needed basis.
• Monitor medication self-administration for residents on a limited, as needed basis.
• Provide direct reimbursable clinical services 40% of each workday.
• Be visibly involved w/ clients, volunteers and staff in a positive, friendly manner that communicates and demonstrates the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
• Follow all established policies and procedures, including but not limited to, safety practices and
personnel policies.
• Participate in and support association events and fund raising activities.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work environment.
• Secure required trainings and/or certifications necessary for the position.
• Responsible for following the child abuse and neglect reporting process including completion of
Suspected Child Abuse/Neglect reporting form, calling children protective services (696-Kids) and
notifying your immediate Supervisor, Branch Executive, Risk Management and Human Resources
Department (s). All employees of the YMCA of Greater Cleveland are mandated reporters for any
signs or suspicion of child abuse and neglect.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience:
• Three years post-secondary education in Human Services and/or Chemical Dependency Required.
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of issues affecting the homeless population, chemical dependency and
mental illness is necessary.
• Preferences: 3+ years’ experience in social service field, successful experience in intake, screening
and assessment.

Professional Certification(s):
• Certified Chemical Dependency Assistant (CDCA) required. LCDCIII, LPC or LSW Preferred
• CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire date.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and actively listen to
clients, staff, and volunteers.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel and bend for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25lbs.
• Ability to work in a moderate to noisy work environment.

About YMCA of Greater Cleveland: At the Y, our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. That's why we offer an exceptional package that includes:

• A free membership to your local YMCA and discount to YMCA programs including childcare (part-time positions do not receive discount on childcare).
• Additional employee discounts at many places in and around town, just for being a YMCA of Greater Cleveland employee.
• Eligible employees receive comprehensive Benefits Plan including Health, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Plan, Retirement 8% paid by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland and paid vacation.