Case Manager - Outreach & Engagement (Culver City)

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 of the multi-disciplinary homeless street outreach team, in collaboration with social service professionals, ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Health Services for contracted agencies, as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center.  The Culver City Outreach Case Manager will use the “whatever it takes” approach to help people experiencing homelessness get connected to resources, and supportive services, in order to obtain permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Case Manager’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Provide street-based outreach, navigation, and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Provide support and assistance to clients with accessing resources in the community.  Establish and maintain professional and positive relationships with staff, clients, and community providers.   
• Adhere to housing first and harm reduction models of advocacy with clients. Conduct interactions with clients and other professionals in a respectful and courteous manner.
• Listen attentively to client needs and suggestions and address their issues fairly and professionally, coordinate with immediate supervisor for supervision. 
• 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.

Essential Duties:

• 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).
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, conferences, program evaluation and program development.
• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle to perform the essential functions of the position, which includes transporting clients in company vehicles.
• Build trust and rapport with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• 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 SPA 5 case conferencing meetings and other community meetings.
• Coordinate with other outreach teams in joint outreach efforts. 
• Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on existing clients and on all new referrals.
• Assist and support clients in maintaining cooperative and effective relationships with case managers and other service provers.
• Coordinate social, educational, and other activities/appointments for clients.

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

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.   
• Have an understanding in how to work with low income and homeless individuals.  Knowledge of how to work effectively in a harm reduction environment.     
• Demonstra