Intake And Data Specialist For Military Veteran Mental Health Services

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

Veteran Intake and Data Specialist

35 hours per week / $24.00 - $25.00 per hour

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary: Under direct supervision of the Program Manager, provide housing placement, support and case management services for eligible homeless veteran families through outreach, assessment and engagement of potential members. Assist veterans and their families in finding and accessing requested community linkages and resources and services based on housing first and psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment. Monitors, corrects, and updates input of HMIS data to accurately and consistently match information recorded on intake forms and member files. Generates reports to the VA of SSVF activity and outcomes generated from HMIS. Assists veterans with determining program eligibility, acquires supporting eligibility documentation, conducts intake process with qualified veterans, maintains homeless database, and generates monthly and quarterly reports as required for program compliance or as needed for other data-driven program operations. Provides other community resources to veterans who are otherwise not qualified for the program. Assists veterans with determining program eligibility, acquires supporting eligibility documentation, and conducts intake process with qualified veterans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. The Agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• Maintains member database and generates monthly and quarterly reports for program compliance or as needed for other data-driven program operations
• Provides other community-based resources to veterans who are not otherwise qualified for the program
• Assists Program Manager with data entry, data tracking and case file archiving
• Conducts screening and intake process
• Maintain and procure community resources
• Interface with government, community and private agencies to obtain rental subsidies, subsidized loans or other available resources for transitional and permanent housing for veterans and their families.
• Assist and coach members in all steps of completing the application process.
• Provide follow-up during the application process, and act as a housing counselor and advocate for members when necessary
• Give individual and community-based presentations regarding MHA’s housing programs.
• Work with landlords and property management companies and generates housing opportunities through advocacy, information and education
• Represent MHA at community housing provider meetings, HUD-VASH and LAHSA meetings and other similar events. Work to stay current with technical and administrative changes in various housing programs and their requirements
• Network with other veteran and mainstream service agencies to share ideas and resources, develop effective programs, solve common problems and maintain a professional network of referral resources for housing and support services
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and other aspects of the day-to-day operations and community life of the Agency. Work cooperatively with other staff to assure the smooth and seamless delivery of supportive services to the Agency and the veterans and their families it serves.
• Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, County Contracted Provider, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in required program, including 24 hour turnaround documentation
• All required data collection documents (as applicable to your program: HMIS) are submitted on or before due date.
• Identify and access other VA benefits and resources for which the member may be entitled.
• Read, perform researches, attend classes, workshops or seminars and participates in other professional development activities in order to maintain and enhance personal and professional skills.
• Complete intake paperwork, and opening/closing of client charts adhering to SSVF and Center guidelines
• Mediates and advocates on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Knowledgeable in Motivational Interviewing and Harm Reduction practices.
• Maintains and records all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHA standards and funding source requirements.
• Help problem solve with the Veteran to identify an immediate safe place, even if temporary, to stay within the Veteran’s network of family, friends, or other social supports.
• In partnership with other community stakeholders, ensures immediate or continued access to crisis services/shelter and connection to permanent housing through coordinated entry.
• Engage in collateral duties as directed by program management as needed.

Other Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, preferred
• Minimum of 2 years providing psychosocial rehab related services to a disabled population
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local housing subsidy programs and the sources available for them.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures for preparation of applications for subsidized housing and disabled/low income housing loans.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with public and private housing providers, mental health consumers and their family members or client advocates, vendors and other staff.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, prose writing skills and computer skills.
• Highly organized and detail oriented, and able to prioritize and juggle multiple projects without losing productivity.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends when necessary.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHA liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period

Requirements: