Case Manager Project Based Housing

Case Manager Project Based HousingCase Manager Project Based Housing

REPORTS TO: ICMS Program Manager

HOURS: Full-Time

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

The SC I, Care Coordinator Lifeskills DHS-ICMS will engage in the services funded by the Department of Health Services toward the goal of improving independent living skills and housing retention. This position will provide outreach and engagement, case management and linkage, supportive services, and housing retention services to tenants housed in Step Up Permanent Supportive Housing Properties. Step Up on Second fully implements the Housing First and Harm Reduction models of service delivery.

Essential Duties:

Individual Services:

• Coordinate lease up activities with Resident Manager. Meet with applicants together and provide orientation that includes explanations of different roles and how to access services.
• Perform an intake on all tenants the first week of move-in.
• Develop an initial and quarterly individualized service plan for each tenant which guides the services delivered.
• Meet face-to-face with each tenant a minimum of once per week, more frequently if needed.
• Meet with tenants in their units a minimum of once per month, more frequently if needed.
• Manage a caseload of 20-40 tenants.
• Responsible for tracking, charting and documentation for all services, file maintenance, daily logging. Process paperwork in a timely and accurate manner, as outlined in workflows.
• Take a “hands-on” approach to demonstrating and supporting tenants’ growth in life skills.
• Regularly assess and document changes in tenant income, housing needs, mental health needs, physical health needs and vocational needs.
• Actively participate with tenants to engage a Good Neighbor Policy of living responsibly both with tenants of the property and neighboring tenants/business owners in the community.
• Complete “Housing Status Change“ form for all tenants moving into and out of units.
• Escort/accompany tenants to appointments.
• Participate/facilitate a safe return to the milieu upon discharge from acute care facilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Group Activities:

• Responsible for providing a tenant-driven, on-site supportive services including: engagement, group scheduling, outings and activities, crisis intervention, dispute mediation, ADLs, community integration services, resources and referral, and monitoring the milieu and tenant safety.
• Maintain an active calendar of supportive services including at least one supportive group per day.
• Organize group outings and recreational events.
• Participate in and ensure the Tenant Advisory Committee is actively meeting and engaging the needs of all tenants.

Service Coordination:

• Coordinate care and interventions with the tenant's clinical case manager and Property Management’s Resident Manager utilizing the Step Up philosophy and standards for services.
• Monitor for warning signs of de-compensation and crisis, and respond accordingly.
• Liaise with Mental Health providers to address tenant issues and formulate intervention strategies that focus on housing retention.
• Attend regular team meetings and service coordination meetings.
• Attend supervision and training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Data management:

• Utilize CHAMP for entering all tenant updates/encounters, and documenting all services provided. Other databases may be required relative to the PSH project.
• Enter all demographic data into HMIS/Clarity. Includes updates to changes in income and any demographic domain. Entries and exits.
• Participate in the lease-up process. Enter vacancies into MyOrg/HMIS and receive referrals through the Coordinated Entry System (CES) where applicable.
• Responsible for managing tenant information on the following documents: Tenant Roster and Contact form and Entry-Exit Form. Updates required as changes occur. Review for accuracy monthly.
• Other duties as assigned.

STEP UP Properties:

• Responsible for lease up – Preparing HACLA application, meeting and coordinating with CES referral, submission of application, interview with HACLA specialist and prospective tenant. S
• Follow lease up guidelines that specify data required to complete application and request HACLA interview.
• Participate in Monthly/Quarterly on-site meetings with DMH liaison and property management to review activities, vacancies, services, etc.

Skills/Abilities:

Experience working with homeless and chronically mentally-ill population, crisis intervention, understanding and commitment to Psychosocial/Recovery-Oriented philosophy, Strong computer skills, ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team. Familiarity with and dedication to the Housing First and Harm Reduction models required.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree preferred. A minimum of 2 years' experience working with the mentally ill population in a community or housed setting necessary. Ability to work as a part of a team is crucial. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is essential. Must have own transportation and current California drivers license and insurance with good driving record.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty. Additionally, in working with our members, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully. All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Work with the homeless and formerly homeless population whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, unclean individuals or homes due to homelessness or mental health symptoms or poverty. While Step Up as an agency strives to protect all employees from adverse events, Step Up is not responsible for rectifying the outcome of such exposures and considers this the nature of the field based environment and workplace.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our members, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

I can perform the functions of this job as described with or without reasonable accommodation.

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Step Up provides equal employment opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, mental or physical disability, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.

STEP UP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER