Case Manager, LEAD Program

Title: Case Manager-LEAD Program

Reports to: Program Manager

Status: Full-time, Non- Exempt (Hourly), Non-Management

Location: Campion, 1447 16th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-5:00pm

Benefits:  Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement Planning (403b), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Openings: 2

JOB SUMMARY

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a community-based diversion approach with the goals of improving public safety, and reducing unnecessary justice system involvement of people who participate in the program. In a LEAD program, law enforcement officers exercise discretionary authority at point of contact to divert individuals to a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs. There are certain core principles to LEAD that are essential to achieve transformative outcomes. These include LEAD’s harm reduction/Housing First framework, which requires a focus on individual and community wellness, rather than an exclusive focus on sobriety; and police officers and sergeant involvement as meaningful and positive meaningful partners in program design and operations.

The People Concern’s LEAD Team Case Manager will perform a variety of tasks to assist justice-involved homeless individuals in being diverted before arrest into an intensive case management strategy. The Case Manager will works closely with each individual to develop individualized service plans, embracing harm reduction, housing first and trauma informed approaches.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Utilize harm reduction, social, environmental, and motivational, strategies to support clients, in collaboration with clinicians, other counselors, case managers, and support staff
2. Assist participants in entering service programs, including support with scheduling, attending, and keeping appointments, and providing transportation to and from appointments
3. Performing street outreach to identified homeless persons working with the team to engage in services and accept treatment/services from the program staff
4. Provide crisis intervention, basic services, and short-term and long-term case management services to currently homeless and previously homeless housed individuals.
5. Develop effective, trusting relationships with clients with a focus on facilitating their move towards independence.
6. Complete all charting in a timely manner.
7. Work to remove barriers to permanent housing; e.g., acquisition of identification, legal aid, benefits assistance, life skills acquisition
8. Maintain and record accurate electronic records, client files, and statistical information.
9. Attend all case conferences, staff meetings, and required trainings
10. Work as part of a larger interdisciplinary teams.
11. Provide information, referrals and social services advocacy.
12. Network with agency and outside service providers, ensuring client access to appropriate resources.
13. Accompany participants to court or legal hearings to support and advocate on their behalf.
14. With clinical support, write letters to court to provide proof of engagement in LEAD program.
15. Collaborate and communicate effectively with police officers and local hospital staff to reduce police contact and Emergency Department visits by targeted population.
16. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. B.A. or equivalent experience.
2. Minimum of two (2) years of experience providing case management to individuals experiencing homelessness
3. Demonstrated knowledge of issues faced by population served (homelessness, serious mental illness, substance addiction, and physical health problems).
4. Knowledge of the justice system a plus
5. Valid CA Driver’s license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. B.A.
2. Experience in harm reduction setting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Combination of field and office environment
2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend and occasionally lift or carry up to 35 pounds
3. On occasion walk, drive or transit to different local sites
4. Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
5. Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor
6. May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day