Case Manager, Palm Motel

Role: Case Manager

Reports to: Program Manager

Program: 1009- Other Interim Housing

Department: Interim Housing

Location: Palm Motel - 2020 14th St. Santa Monica, CA 90405

Setting: 100% Onsite

Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 8am - 4:30pm

Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt/Non-Management

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

Openings: 1

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve a caseload of approximately 12-15 clients, providing active case management for all assigned cases, including meeting weekly with each person individually.
  
• Staff must transport client in personal vehicle
• Act as the lead for client's housing-related case management, maintaining an active housing plan for each client on your caseload, based in creative solutions to homelessness.
• Maintain a current and thorough knowledge of community resources and utilize them to provide comprehensive, wrap-around services to clients, navigating them through the best options for their unique situations.
  
• Work collaboratively with clients to address barriers to housing, including linkages to income/benefits, mental health services, physical health services, etc.
  
• Provide participant-centered case management using Housing First, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care approaches.
• Conduct initial and ongoing needs assessments to identify barriers to housing stability.
• Develop and monitor individualized housing and service plans.
• Meet with assigned participants at least monthly, or more frequently based on need.
• Support participants in becoming document ready for housing placement.
• Assist participants with obtaining vital documents.
• Track participant progress toward permanent housing outcomes.
• Help complete applications and accompany participants to appointments when needed.
• Participate in resource coordination and case conferencing meetings.
• Enter timely, accurate, and objective case notes in HMIS.
  
• Complete program enrollments, updates, and exits within one business day of service changes.
• Maintain complete and compliant participant files.
  
• Document all engagement efforts and participant responses.
• Connect participants to mainstream benefits (DPSS, CBEST, DMH, SAPC, etc.).
• Link participants to employment and workforce programs.
  
• Provide crisis intervention and conflict de-escalation support as needed.
• Support harm reduction practices and overdose prevention awareness.
  
• Attend required staff meetings, trainings, and case conferences.
• Maintain appropriate releases of information for coordination of care.
  
• Support a safe, low-barrier, and participant-centered program environment.
• Maintain recommended caseload ratio of approximately 1:25 participants (or as assigned).
• Demonstrate consistent progress of participants toward permanent housing.
  
• Ensure timely and compliant HMIS documentation.
  
• Uphold Housing First and trauma-informed service delivery.
• Facilitate intakes for individuals who are referred into interim housing
  
• Create a supportive environment and ensure clients' progress, utilizing a strengths-based approach
  
• Facilitate wellness, enrichment, and life skills groups
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED or Equivalent
• Valid CA Driver's license, reliable car, auto insurance, and an acceptable driving record.
• Willing and able to transport Clients in your personal vehicle.
• Experience working with participants with mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance abuse disorders.
  
• Experience with Outreach and engagement, crisis intervention, suicide assessment/prevention, affordable housing, housing rights etc.
  
• Excellent human relations/communication skills; ability to act in professional manner regardless of circumstances.
• Detail oriented with excellent time management skills
  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook etc.), required
  
• Ability to self-motivate and be flexible in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Passion for working with the population served
  
• Ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; or a minimum two (2) years' experience working with homeless individuals, preferably those living with mental illness and/or substance addictions, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in case management preferred
  Knowledge of Housing First, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care principles.
• Experience using HMIS or similar database preferred.
• Strong documentation and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse and high-acuity populations

Work Environment: