Bilingual Case Manager

About the Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) & CED Law

Our mission

We partner with low-income and working people to build economic and racial equity. We do this by confronting economic abuse and investing in community wealth. We use an ever-evolving set of legal, economic and advocacy tools to challenge and dismantle unjust systems, building quickly towards a world where all people have what they need to live and thrive.

Our Organization

The Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP) is a Colorado-based nonprofit. Launched in 2020 as the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, our organization was formed to keep our neighbors housed during the pandemic. Working with clients, we built a “one-stop-shop” approach to eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness prevention that centers the legal and financial needs of housing-insecure families and uses a variety of tools to keep them housed.

Our team now serves more than 1,000 people per month, bringing together housing lawyers, economists, data analysts, policy-experts, organizers, and technologists to serve our clients. In the previous two years, we have distributed more than $100 million in aid and served more than 40,000 Coloradans. We have also contributed to the passage of major legislation to prevent eviction, stop economic abuse, and make credit and life-saving medication cheaper. CEDP’s model has been cited as a best practice by White House, HUD, the Urban Institute, and in the media.

Building on our work to stop evictions, CEDP has further expanded its integrated services model to include disaster response, predatory towing, debt collection, benefit access & navigation, long-term rental assistance, and homelessness response. Similar to CEDP’s work on rental housing, these efforts offer a continuum of care that includes navigation and advisory services, targeted payments, legal support, and the ability to participate in advocacy.

More about the Role:

We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Bilingual Case Manager to provide comprehensive, intensive, and case management to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and housing instability in Southwest Colorado, with a specific focus on those facing challenges related to substance misuse and co-occurring mental disabilities. As a Case Manager, you will play a crucial role in helping these individuals maintain or transition into stable housing and improve their overall well-being. Your primary responsibilities will include developing personalized care plans, coordinating services, advocating for clients' needs, and connecting them with the appropriate community resources. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in social work or a related field, along with excellent communication skills and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations. Services will be based on client centered, housing first, culturally competent and trauma informed care model. 

In this role you will:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments: You will perform thorough assessments to identify clients' strengths and needs, including substance misuse issues, mental health concerns, housing barriers, and other challenges affecting their well-being. This will be ongoing and fluctuate based on the program needs.  
• Develop individualized care plans: Collaborate with clients to develop detailed care plans that address their specific needs, goals, and preferences. Ensure plans are realistic, achievable, and aligned with available resources. 
• Coordinate services and referrals: Connect clients with appropriate community resources, such as substance abuse treatment programs, mental health services, medical care, and vocational training. Coordinate and monitor the provision of these services to ensure continuity of care. 
• Returns all work-related emails and voicemails in a timely manner. 
• Advocate for clients: Serve as a strong advocate for clients, ensuring their rights and needs are respected and met. Collaborate with external agencies, healthcare providers, and housing authorities to secure necessary services and support. 
• Provide counseling and support: Offer ongoing emotional support and guidance to clients, helping them navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Utilize evidence-based practices and motivational interviewing techniques to promote positive change. 
• Will maintain a caseload of at least 20-25 clients with varying acuity, in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team. 
• Travel to meet clients for home visits and other client identified needs.
• Transports clients using a CEDP vehicle or an approved personal vehicle. 
• Monitor progress and outcomes: Regularly assess clients' progress towards their goals, adjusting care plans as needed. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of services provided, ensuring compliance with agency and regulatory requirements. 
• Foster community integration: Facilitate access to community resources, social activities, and peer support networks to promote clients' integration into their new housing and broader community. 
• Complete consistent and daily documentation, such as case notes, assessments, and data entry into HMIS and Hubspot (our CRM software) as well as other documentation needs as they relate to the case management role and client needs in compliance with all HIPAA regulations. 

Position Requirements:

• Bilingual (Spanish & English proficiency), required
• 1-3 years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, substance misuse, or mental health challenges. 
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction principles, and evidence-based practices in substance abuse treatment and mental health.  
• Familiarity with community resources, housing programs, and support services for homeless individuals. 
• Ability to work under pressure and respond to deadlines without sacrificing quality
• Ability to demonstrate a steadfast commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish rapport and trust with clients from diverse backgrounds. 
• Strong organizational and time management abilities to effectively handle a caseload and meet deadlines. 
• Empathy, patience, and the ability to remain calm and supportive in challenging situations. 
• Proficiency in documentation and record-keeping. 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for home visits and client transportation.
  
• People with lived expertise are preferred. 

Additional Details:

• Candidates must reside in Southwest Colorado, within the greater Durango area. The position includes competitive pay, flexible time off, benefits package (including medical, dental, vision), and 401k.
• A competitive salary of $61,000 annually. All employees receive a technology stipend of $720 per year.
• Employees who utilize two languages or more at work are eligible for a $2,000 per year differential, added to the salary grade listed above. Language assessment will be conducted by the organization as a requirement to receive the differential.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received by August 15, 2024
• The estimated time to complete the recruitment process will be by August 28, 2024
• This is a hybrid position that requires in office and in person work in the community.

• As in-person work is sometimes required, all employees at CEDP & CED Law are expected to maintain current vaccination status in keeping with CDC recommendations.
• CEDP is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.