Case Manager, Safehouse Program

Agency Overview: 

Doorways is an Arlington-based non-profit agency helping individuals and families create pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. We envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, age, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, abilities, language, or national origin. We see a future without homelessness or domestic and sexual violence. 

Doorways began in 1978 when a group of concerned community members saw there was no safe place in Arlington for families in crisis. What began then with one shelter and one response has grown into a series of pathways individually tailored for adults, youth, and children seeking safety and shelter. From immediate crisis intervention to counseling, housing, and employment support, we offer real options and multiple pathways for people of all ages and genders—women, men, youth, and LGBTQIA+ people. 

Program Summary: 

The Doorways’ Safehouse Program is comprised of multiple areas that are designed to support survivors, from crisis to ongoing support and stability in the community. Through our Safehouse, we provide a spectrum of trauma informed, survivor-centered, lifesaving, supportive and educational services to help survivors of all ages learn about their options, increase their safety, and live a life free of violence. These wraparound services enable individuals and families to obtain safety, stability, and self-sufficiency so that they can progress to the next phase of their life. All are welcome, including women, men, and those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

The Doorways’ Domestic Violence Safehouse program is the only domestic violence shelter in Arlington County. The program is comprised of an 11-bed facility, a safe kennel, and a series of safe apartments, scattered in confidential locations throughout the community, providing a safe, temporary home to those who are escaping imminent danger and wraparound services to adults and children, including safety planning, housing-based case management, emotional support, referrals to other programs in the community, and other needs specifically identified by each household. The Doorways Domestic Violence Safehouse is more than just a place to find shelter from domestic violence. These wraparound services enable individuals and families to begin a new life of stability, dignity and self-sufficiency. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting to the Safehouse Program Manager, the Case Manager, works directly with survivors of domestic violence and their children who are in Doorways’ Safehouse program/shelter. The position provides crisis intervention, safety planning, goal planning, and supportive counseling to shelter residents and coordinates in-house support groups. The case manager provides ongoing assessment, referrals, and supportive services to Doorways clients enrolled in Doorways Safehouse shelter and safe apartments with the goal of accomplishing stated program objectives with survivors. 

This position is full-time in person and requires reliable personal transportation, flexible working hours including evenings and occasional weekends and holidays in conjunction with other staff. This position also requires on-call availability. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Carry a caseload of clients providing supportive counseling and case management services to DV survivor clients in a shelter and apartment setting as needed. 
• Conduct initial screenings to determine program eligibility.
• Help survivors in shelter and safe apartments establish and fulfill goal plans that enable them to heal from trauma, establish safety, find housing stability, and move towards self-sufficiency. 
• Serve as clients’ primary in-shelter source of mental health and therapeutic case management support; leads collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of providers, including a Housing Locator and Advocate, Financial and Employment Specialist, Children’s Services Counselors, and Shelter Home Coordinators. 
• Ensure regular on-going sessions are conducted with survivors; educate survivors on the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault; facilitate individual and group meetings with survivors; assist survivors in understanding of the natural responses to trauma and of healthy coping skills; assist survivors in adapting to a communal living environment focusing on a culture of inclusion and respect; provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention to survivors when necessary. 
• Refer clients to other community programs for additional services (such as legal assistance, medical care, and treatment for serious mental illness and substance abuse) and collaborate with community partners to ensure client needs are met. 
• Ensure the Safehouse shelter program provides quality client services that are survivor-centered, trauma-informed and compliant with program requirements. 
• Ensure all goal plans are documented and maintained in the client’s record and reviewed every 30 days with the client to ensure progress on housing first goals. 
• Complete accurate and timely documentation of services and data entry into agencies data management systems such as ETO and VDATA within three business days of contact with client or provider. Assist with preparing timely, routine programmatic reports for funders and agency, including compiling monthly statistics. 
• Develop and maintain a resource network for referrals as related to the needs of the DV survivors being served in the Safehouse. 
• Coordinate discharge processes and act as a liaison with agencies responsible for referring survivors in imminent danger. 
• Inform the Senior Director of Residential and Housing Services of any program needs or deficiencies that require additional staff training or support. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Agency Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrate alignment with Doorways’ core values and mission. 
• Attend meetings, as required. 
• Represent the DSV program at various community events as requested. 
• Compile and report relevant data and statistics as necessary. 
• Maintain current industry knowledge and best practices. 
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures. 

Knowledge and Skills Needed: 

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related field. Master’s degree in social work or counseling highly preferred. 
• 3+ years of professional experience working in the domestic violence services field. Shelter experience is required. 
• 3+ years homeless surviving and/or shelter management experience (preferred) 
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft suite. 
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills. 
• Possess a high level of interpersonal relationship skills. 
• Must be comfortable working in an environment where it is necessary to process the past and present trauma endured by survivors. 
• Ability to educate and empower victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault who are from diverse backgrounds and who face additional barriers such as: PTSD, substance abuse, poverty, mental illness, unemployment and physical disabilities. 
• Must demonstrate an acceptance and respect for cultural diversity in all its forms, including ethnicity, sexual orientation, abilities, and religious backgrounds and an ability to work collaboratively in an ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse environment. 
• A team player, willing to roll up your sleeves and help other team members when needed.
• Current or ability to get CPR/First Aid certification. 
• Completion of Fingerprints, Criminal, Sex Offender and CPS background check.
• Access to a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, and proof of automobile insurance. 
• Must be located in the DMV area.

Compensation: 

• Salary range is $54,000 to 57,000 annually. 
• Excellent benefits – health/dental/vision, life, LTD, 403(b), etc. 

Doorways is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

People of color, women, LGBTQIA+ candidates, and people of diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Doorways is committed to a diverse workplace and to supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities. 

All staff at Doorways are expected to operate from a survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and equity approach. We believe that people, including underserved populations, must have access to needed services. Continuous application of Doorways values are integral in every position at Doorways.