Case Manager for DHS Homeless Housing and Mental Health

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.

Personal Service Coordinator/Intensive Case Manager

35 hours per week / $24.00 per hour

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

Summary: Under the general supervision of the Program Manager provide high quality Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) to clients eligible for permanent housing through the Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Housing for Health (HFH) and other programs. Provide a client-centered approach and provide excellent customer service that is sensitive to the challenges that people experiencing homelessness with a range of medical and behavioral health issues face as they move into and maintain permanent supportive housing. Employ a “whatever it takes” approach to assist clients in their transition from homelessness to permanent housing.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. 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 Association’s operations. MHA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. The Agency will consider individuals with a criminal history.

• Assist individuals at every stage of the housing stabilization process including flexible services to meet the individual needs of clients.
• Outreach and engagement including processing referrals from Department of Health Services (DHS), Coordinated Entry System (CES) partners and other Housing for Health (HFH) partners, establish rapport with clients, provide a “screening in” philosophy, conduct a face to face screenings, obtain consents, and linkages to other needed providers and services.
• Conduct intake and enrollment activities with eligible clients, assist clients with other program eligibility documentation, complete project intake forms, authorization and enroll into ICMS.
• Assist with temporary housing referrals until permanent housing can be secured.
• Ensure all documentation is prepared and entered into appropriate systems on a monthly basis.
• Assist at all levels of move-in to permanent housing, assist clients to become document ready, assist with all applications and paperwork, coordinate client move-in and orient new tenants to their unit/building.
• Assist clients with access to services and address their immediate needs, conduct DHS-approved comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop and implement individualized case management services plan in collaboration with and authorized by the client based on the client’s comprehensive assessments and reassessments. The service plan shall address the clients’ needs, goals, steps to reach goals, timeframes for completing goals, and disposition of each goal as it is met or changed.
• Ensure clients have access to health, mental health, and substance use disorder services.
• Assists clients with establishing a medical home and maintaining continuity with their medical home.
• Assist clients with obtaining income and/or establishing benefits, with locating and securing employment and volunteer and/or educational activities, assist with basic needs, life skills, community participation, improving and/or maintaining daily independent living skills, social/leisure, personal hygiene skills, budgeting and money management, legal issues and making appropriate referrals to overcome barriers to accessing and obtaining permanent housing, and provide transportation as needed.
• Provide housing location services (if scattered-site), educate clients on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Educate client on the appropriate use of crisis intervention services versus 911 emergency calls, etc.
• Provide eviction prevention counseling; work with property management and HFH partner to help clients resolve issues that threaten their housing stability including tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Complete all paperwork in compliance with applicable laws, professional licensure requirements, in accordance with MHALA, CHAMP and LACDMH County Contracted Provider standards and funding source requirements, and documents in EHR, including 24 hour turnaround documentation.
• Read, perform research, attend classes, workshops or seminars and participate in other professional development activities in order to maintain and enhance personal and professional skills.

Position Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED with a minimum 1 year of experience providing psychosocial rehab related services to a disabled population required.
• Bachelor degree in a human service or related field preferred.
• 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.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Be able to learn and utilize Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Electronic Health Records Systems (EHR).
• Have experience working with clients with mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders.
• Have expertise in the following areas: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
• Ability to maintain a caseload ratio of one (1) full-time equivalent intensive case manager to 20 to 25 clients with a VI-SPDAT of 1 or 2.
• Flexible work schedule to include some early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
• TB clearance and yearly re-test are conditions of employment.
• COVID-19 vaccination is required for this position. Accommodations will be considered with proof of a legal exemption.