Job Description
The Case Manager is responsible for providing direct assistance and support to participants experiencing a housing crisis and homelessness through clinical engagement and intensive case management services. These services include, but are not limited to, the following: crisis intervention; developing and promoting housing readiness; accessing opportunities for housing assistance and rental subsidy programs (e.g. Section 8, EHAP); and securing permanent housing placement. The position is also responsible for the development and implementation of a housing plan and participant budget for each program participant. This position requires extensive coordination within multiple internal LAFH Programs (e.g. collaboration with the Engagement, Interim Housing, Housing Location, and Housing Stabilization teams), and external systems that include developing relationships with the Housing Authority, ODR, DMH, community partners and resources, landlords, and property owners and managers (e.g. following up with housing leads, and applying for units to facilitate optimal outcomes for families and moving into permanent housing). The Case Manager will conduct assessments with participants to collect functional, environmental, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop a case plan. Provides supportive counseling and advocacy for individuals; provides crisis intervention, if needed. Works with participants that are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems by motivating behavioral changes among enrolled participants
Responsibilities
- Maintains all case files/records; in physical files and in CHAMP system; completes all required documentation and case notes as requested; and responds to regulatory agencies in accordance with federal, state, and county. Develops and maintains inter-agency and community relationships. Meets with clients on a regular basis to establish goals, and action steps towards those goal, and to monitor and assess progress towards achieving permanent housing goals. Communicates with landlord and familiarize them with DHS, program and community resources to assist both tenants and landlords in the event of potential problems leading to eviction.
- Ensure clients are linked to and accessing health, mental health and substance use disorder services as needed including assisting clients with establishing permanent housing. Assist clients with maintaining medication and treatment regimens including accompanying clients to appointments with health, mental health and /or other care providers. Assist clients with obtaining income and /or establishing benefits. This includes coordinating the completion and submission of applications for health insurance benefits (e.g. Medi-Cal, Medicare, etc.) disability benefits (e.g. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI); and other resources of financial assistance, (e.g... Unemployment, General Relief (GR). Provide advocacy on behalf of clients, as appropriate.
- Assist clients with obtaining permanent housing and conduct bi-monthly (minimum) home visits after client is housed. Ensure clients have food resources and if they are not eligible for benefits transport them to local food banks and /or deliver groceries. Ensure clients are represented in court and at probation, Active liaison between client and all supportive service providers (probation, landlord, court, primary care doctor, mental health care provider, etc.). Transport clients to DMV, DPSS, doctor’s appointments and mental health appointments.
- Conduct initial intake and assessments, develop individual service plan, documentation related to accessing and obtaining housing, benefits, and other services, documentation of legal issues and all correspondences and notices, documentation of client housing stability status and retention in permanent housing
- Connect program Participants to community resources that will support the goal of permanent housing (e.g. benefits advocacy, food pantries, employment services, mental health)
- Must be comfortable providing direct field-based services to participants at identified motels and interim housing locations
- Assess and seek consultation through regular Case Conferencing and Case Presentations
- Regularly review housing leads and update outcomes on agency’s Housing Location website (e.g. affordable housing resources for reference in locating appropriate housing)
- Coordinate with internal teams to ensure clients have the necessary items to secure housing (e.g. valid identification, income verification, bank statements)
- Available to assist when participants are experiencing an immediate need, crisis, or emergency (e.g. child abuse reporting, assessing for suicidal or homicidal risks or threats, etc.)
- Facilitate access to services needed to support housing readiness and reduce impact of barriers (e.g. child care, credit repair, legal aid, housekeeping, money management, tenant rights and responsibilities, etc.)
- Conduct Initial Meeting and Assessment for each participant accessing services to build rapport and relationship while evaluating participants’ housing needs, history, barriers, and available services and support
- Provide information and instruction to clients regarding how to complete a housing application, housing searches, and tenant rights and responsibilities, including observation of rental agreement rules and being a good tenant
- Engage and assist clients with applying for permanent subsidy or low-income housing assistance programs including, but not limited to, Section 8 certification, EHAP, and CalWorks Homeless Move-In Assistance Program
- Prioritize caseload and determine level of contact, coordination, and care needed for each participant
- Provide advocacy to help address issues and barriers between landlord and Participant that may prevent move-in
- Ensure a “warm” hand-off and transition to the housing stabilizer to provide ongoing in-home case management services
- Participate in individual and group supervision, agency, and community meetings as directed by supervisor
- Collaborate with all internal teams to meet agency goals for housing placements
- Ensure a “warm” hand-off and transition to the housing stabilizer to provide ongoing in-home case management services
- Complete all exits and documentation that is needed in the Participant’s file and given to management to review by the end of every month
- Dress professionally and in accordance with company’s dress code.
- Travel is a regular duty for this position and is required 60% of the time (Pending as we refer to CDC guidelines)
- *The company reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.
Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Service orientation
- Time management
- Active listening
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Must be a safety conscious person
- Must be focused, confident, and observant.
- Knowledge of community resources in area of residence
- Comfortable working with diverse populations including formerly incarcerated individuals, undocumented individuals, LGBT populations, communities of color, and those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, and/or mental illness
- Comfort with facilitating housing search skills including housing location, filling out housing applications, and the lease-up process
- Exceptional ability to connect and engage with people
- Detail oriented
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize roles, tasks, and deliverables
- Knowledge of tenant/landlord law and tenant/landlord relations
- Creative problem-solving skills
- Write complete Case Notes and chart in electronic data entry and documentation database
- Strong advocacy skills
- Ability to work in a team and independently
- Able to meet identified administrative deadlines and program deliverables
Job Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s Degree (Social Work or related field) OR equivalent related job experience (3 years) or Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related field and one (1) year of social service experience or a bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field and six (6) years of experience in social services
- Experience: At least 2 year of experience in case management in re-entry, housing, benefits or job development (4 years required if no degree)
- At least 2 years of experience with the target population
- Valid California driver's license, auto insurance and have reliable transportation. Use of a personal vehicle to travel between worksites and other locations is required
- Willingness to work in various environments, including jail settings, street outreach, home visits, homeless encampments and/or shelters
- Able to work flexible job hours
- Passion for ending homelessness. Able to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with persons experiencing homelessness
- Desire to work with families experiencing homelessness from trauma-informed and strengths-based frameworks
- Knowledge of case management services and clinical approaches of Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction Models are preferred
- Able to utilize housing assistance programs including: CalWorks Move-In Assistance, EHAP, etc.
- Bilingual: Spanish/English preferred, but not required
- Obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification
- Ability to pass post-offer Tuberculosis (TB) clearances
PHYSICAL DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, EQUIPMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances, and/or not be attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience several unpleasant sensory demands associated with a client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care.
The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations. Employee is required to: Walk and climb stairs; Handle, finger, grasp, and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; Communicate, receive, and exchange ideas and information by means of the spoken and written word; Be mobile by moving oneself from place to place quickly and easily; Repeat various motions with the wrists, hands, and fingers; Be able to have visual activity for (including, but not limited to) administrative and clerical tasks; Drive personal vehicle in and around Los Angeles County and periodically transport clients; Be able to enter various buildings that may require climbing stairs; Be subjected to outside environmental conditions