Case Manager and Coach for Homeless Recovery 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

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 direct supervision of the program manager, utilizes evidenced based outreach and engagement, harm reduction, housing first, motivational interviewing and supported employment and education practices to support members. Integrates primary care and mental health care services within a mobile, homeless outreach and intensive case management team model. Assist participants achieve a level of recovery from their illnesses, live in permanent housing and become full participants in the community based on psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.

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. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. 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).

• Work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management and linkage to independent permanent housing to homeless individuals.
• Provide outreach and engagement efforts to individuals that are homeless through an intensive, sustained and consistent process.
• Develop and complete mental health treatment recovery plan with each member that identifies his/her personal goals and needs.
• Provide case management support to members in all aspects of securing independent stable housing such as: assisting members with overcoming barriers to permeant housing, accessing funding, educating members on tenants’ rights, responding immediately to housing concerns to avoid evection, conducting regular home visits and collaborating with property managers/developers and other partners to help member retain housing.
• Must provide transportation including transporting individuals to services to which they have been referred and accompanying people on public transportation to ensure the assistance needed to attain services.
• Provide life skills training that assist individuals to gain, restore, improve or maintain daily independent living skills such as: money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, household management, developing social/leisure activities, employment/educational goals.
• Support members by mentoring, advocating, and providing education within scope of practice in efforts for members to reach their mental health recovery goals/objectives.
• Be an active part of continued learning by participating in other trainings (DMH trainings and other sources) that introduce different interventions that could be an effective strategy with this population.
• Advocate on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, financial entitlements, etc.
• Maintains all records and documentation, utilizing various technological resources needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
• Must meet all documentation and billing requirements, i.e., 24 hour note entry turnaround, 48 hour note correction turnaround time, and monthly hour’s requirement.
• Active participation in regular team meetings with pro-active communication around member concerns required.

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED with minimum one year of experience providing outreach psychosocial rehab related services to homeless and/or disabled population required.
• Bachelors degree in a human service or related field preferred.
• Bi-lingual applicants are preferred.
• Persons with lived mental health experience is 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.
• TB clearance and yearly re-testing is a condition of employment.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on call cell phone services.
• Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.
• Ability to provide all services in the field (member’s home, any other location where homeless individuals congregate).
• Ability to provide interventions that are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individual’s needs based on their cultural identity within scope of license/clinical training.
• Must be able to maintain an empathetic view for the dilemma of individuals in severe need and be able to juggle creatively and successfully around a variety of barriers that keep individuals from successful personal and community living.
• Must possess a high level of appreciation and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues and problematic behavioral characteristics.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledgeable of evidence based practices interventions such as: motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and housing first modalities.
• Must function well in a multi-disciplinary team-oriented approach to member services in a fast-paced work environment.
• Knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed.
• Knowledgeable in technological and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• COVID vaccination is required for this position. Accommodations will be considered upon proof of vaccination.