Case Manager, Project Based Housing

Role: Case Manager

Reports To: Program Manager, Dahlia

Department: Project Based Housing

Location: Colden Apartments: 820 West Colden Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044 

Schedule:  Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (hourly), Non-Management 

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

SUMMARY:
Through the use of evidence-based practices such as harm reduction, housing first, and trauma-informed care, the Case Manager supports Clients’ housing stability, self-sufficiency, and community integration. The Case Manager partners with Clients who are currently homeless to assess and address barriers to housing placement. Once Clients locate best-fit housing, The Case Manager works to implement interventions with recently housed Clients to support housing retention and further coordinates multiple services to meet individualized needs. The Case Manager collaborates with Clients to learn independent living skills and other life-skills vital to successful transition from homelessness into permanent housing.

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Maintain a caseload of approximately 20 high acuity Clients for intensive case management services (up to 40 if low acuity).
2. Develop relationships with Clients with a focus on facilitating independence and maintenance of improved physical and mental health.
3. Collaborate with LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH) and Department of Health Services (DHS) programs to enhance coordination within Clients’ treatment team.
4. Engage Clients and implement interventions with an approach emphasizing Client choice, harm-reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation within a setting guided by trauma-informed care, housing-first principles, and professional boundaries.
5. Assist in the screening, intake, and enrollment of Clients including orientation to program policies and goals.
6. Complete comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and functional needs assessments to guide individualized treatment planning.
7. Complete quarterly collaborative goal plans with Clients with the purpose of targeting areas that will improve quality of life and health outcomes.
8. Write and maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date progress notes and data in electronic databases as required by the program and its funding sources.
9. Ensure all Client documents within physical charts are complete, accurate, current, and filed as guided by agency, department, and funder expectations.
10. Maintain confidentiality of Client information per HIPAA and internal agency guidelines.
11. Assist Clients in applying for and obtaining all benefits to which they are entitled.
12. Coordinate appointments, transportation, and follow-up services for Clients to improve access to primary health care, mental health care, substance use services, and other local resources in order to build sustainable community connections and reduce the need for emergency health care services.
13. Directly transport Clients in personal vehicle to various agencies and healthcare providers in the greater Los Angeles area to decrease barriers to access and increase community reintegration.
14. Support Clients by teaching and modeling life skills involved such as budgeting, housekeeping, meal preparation, appointment scheduling, health maintenance, and socialization within communities where they become housed.
15. Communicate effectively with property managers and other third party partners.
16. Work cooperatively and cohesively with multidisciplinary team including participation in weekly staff meetings, direct individual supervision, and trainings.
17. Adapt workload as directed by supervisor in response to funder expectations.
18. Other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Minimum two years’ experience working with homeless individuals, preferably those living with mental illness and/or substance addictions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Valid Driver’s license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
3. Willing and able to transport Clients in your personal vehicle.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of case management, preferred.
5. Able to work in a high tolerance Harm Reduction model with Clients experiencing multiple barriers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor's degree preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
1. Combination of field and office environment.
2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
3. On occasion walk or drive 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.