Job Description
Job Description
ORGANIZATION: An independent, community-based non-profit organization created to lead the effort to eliminate homelessness. We currently operate in Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.
MISSION: To prevent and end homelessness among low-income, homeless, and disadvantaged families and individuals by providing housing services, support and resources that lead to self-sufficiency.
PURPOSE of ROLE: This position assists and aids program participants with effectively setting, managing and attaining their goals to become self-sufficient and financially independent whether through employment or assistance with social services. The Case Manager may perform home visits, work a flexible schedule, and must be willing to accommodate participants who are available only during the evening or on weekends.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
INTAKE & ASSESSMENT
· Screen prospective program participants for eligibility. Provide complete information regarding program services, expectations, rights and responsibilities.
· Obtain and review necessary case acceptance authorizations/consents including income verification and other documentation to determine eligibility for program and services; review with supervisor.
· Complete assessments including HMIS Intake, VI-SPDAT, and Housing Retention Assessment and use information to evaluate participant strengths, needs, and risk indicators.
CASE PLANNING & MONITORING
· Conduct interviews, access resources to gather information for factual base on which to formulate a plan.
· Critically analyze information gathered during assessment phase and apply in the formulation of a plan.
· Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of participant health and social presenting risks and apply appropriate risk stratification.
· Convey knowledge of health and/or social service delivery model to participants.
· Establish participant goals based on appropriate resource utilization, participant consensus, and level of care and services required.
· Document accurately in established record system.
· Communicate participant care plan with support staff.
· Provide timely completion of all case planning and implementation activities.
· Apply effective follow-up dates to care plan interventions.
· Perform routine comprehensive, independent reassessment of participant status and progress toward achievement of plan goals. Make adjustments in writing as appropriate.
· Utilize existing community resources in providing care/services to meet goals.
· Follow agency procedures to link with other agency services and staff supports.
· Proactively promote appropriate adjustments in the care plan to enhance outcomes when situation is static or regressive
· Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation in the established case management record system.
· Communicate changes in eligibility for services and financial assistance during program participation verbally and in writing.
· Act in accordance with laws and procedures governing confidentiality, release of information, consent, domestic violence reporting, mandated reporting, etc.
· Plan for, review with participant, and conduct appropriate closure of cases against specified criteria when resulting from program completion or voluntary exit.
· In case of involuntary discharge/termination, or other adverse action, work with program manager to ensure all procedures are followed.
· Provide post-placement and/or post-exit support as indicated by program or participant needs.
· Maintain post-placement contact with participants to document housing status at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after participation.
· Participate in internal and external case conference/case coordination meetings.
· Keep current on best practices in the social services and housing placement fields.
· Connect and maintain liaison to internal and external service resources.
· Carry a caseload of 20-50 (as determined by service type) households in need of housing assistance, maintaining regular contact with program participants, other service partners, etc.
· Share information with program participants related to personal/family budgeting and financial management, including support with filing tax returns, filing for Earned Income Tax Credit, banking and credit repair.
· Help program participants connect to public and private service resources available to assist them in attaining their stabilization, and follow-up on referrals to encourage participants’ forward momentum/progress.
· Ensure participant(s’) minor children are enrolled in school and other services.
· Regularly report to supervisor on challenging issues that arise in participants’ progress, presenting recommendations for service transfers, discontinuances or extensions.
· Participate in the process of preparing progress reports for internal and external customers as directed.
· Complete/attend trainings as required and to enhance skills.
DATA & DOCUMENTATION
· Follow established procedure for opening service file.
· Keep all relevant service data up-to-date in HMIS system and maintain case files in accordance with applicable guidelines, completing data entry immediately or no later than within 24 hours of service interaction.
· Comply with data integrity and security policies.
· Meet data quality standards by reviewing discrepancies in data received, verifying accuracy, requesting clarification and advising supervisor of issues related to data.
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
· Bachelors degree in social services or related area preferred.
· Experience that demonstrates a capacity to help people coming from crisis situations and traumatizing circumstances to develop self-sustainability.
· Experience working with low income and/or homeless populations.
· Knowledge of social service resource systems and self-help intervention strategies.
· Independently counsel populations of mental health, substance abuse, homeless individuals
· Knowledge and skills in handling substance abuse and mental health issues.
· Knowledge of public benefits and financial resources available in the community.
· Ability to successfully develop relationships utilizing motivational interviewing techniques.
· Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills including use of motivational interviewing, harm reduction approach, and trauma-informed care.
· Thoroughness and accuracy with data collection, entry and quality control in a web-based database.
· Patience/tolerance and tact/diplomacy.
· Knowledge of family budgeting and money management.
· Clear/firm-yet-flexible boundaries, consistent energy level and positive demeanor.
· Professionalism: high level of integrity and strong ethical values show capacity to maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information.
· Strong oral/written communication and listening skills.
· Self-motivated and accountable for work time and other agency resources.
· Quality control: demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality and applies feedback to improve performance.
· Well organized: able to effectively manage multiple assignments to meet project deadlines.
· Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
· Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate participants available during the evening or on weekends.
· Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, residents, local agencies, contractors, lenders, etc.
· Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a DMV record that permits driver to be insured under the organization’s automobile coverage.
· Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.