Temporary Case Manager - Interim Housing (Time Limited Subsidies)

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

Job Description

Job Summary

The Case Manager works as a team member with several social service professional and paraprofessional staff ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Case Manager’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide housing location and problem-solving services.
• Serve as the central point of contact for clients, as they navigate the transition from “person experiencing homelessness” to “tenant living within the community”.
• Develop and maintain strong ties to the community, law enforcement, and other homeless service providers.
• Link clients to appropriate bridge/interim housing programs and assist them in completing required paperwork in order to enroll them in permanent housing-related programs.
• Develop and implement a housing stability plan, in collaboration with the client, based on the psychosocial assessment.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct face-to-face monthly updates to housing stability plan and home visits.
• Assist clients with obtaining employment, and/or establishing benefits, and/or educational opportunities.
• Utilize a harm reduction, client focused and strengths-based model.
• Provide ongoing case management services that will ensure successful permanent housing, decrease social isolation, and prevent relapse risks.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Assess homeless individuals utilizing the Vulnerability Index (VI) SPDAT.
• Link clients to physical health, mental health, and other supportive services.
• Assist clients to enroll in mainstream benefits and obtain identification (i.e. California Driver’s License, Social Security Card).
• Keep highly organized files for each client and enter appropriate data into the region’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Provide bus tokens, bus passes, taxi vouchers, and/or direct transportation as needed. 
• Participate in case conferencing meetings and other community meetings.
• Coordinate with other outreach teams in joint outreach efforts. 

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are designed to provide typical examples of the work performed; not all duties and responsibilities assigned are included here, nor is it expected that all similar positions will be assigned every duty and responsibility.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Must be highly motivated and a self-starter.  The ability to communicate with and relate to a diverse group of people including clients, community, and other staff.  Must have excellent organizational skills and the capability to work in a fast-paced environment.   
• Strong knowledge of homeless services and resources.  Demonstrated knowledge and experience with Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, Critical Time Intervention, and Housing First.
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, adapt to changing work demands, and problem-solve complex structural and systems issues.
• A bilingual background is a plus.
• The position requires an ability to work flexible hours including some early mornings and evenings.

Experience:

• Two years’ experience providing services to highly vulnerable populations.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services or a related field.