Case Manager (Family Shelter)

ORGANIZATION: SHELTER, Inc. is an independent, community-based non-profit organization created in 1986 to lead the effort to eliminate homelessness. We currently operate in Contra Costa, Solano and Sacramento counties.

MISSION: To prevent and end homelessness among low-income, homeless, and disadvantaged families and individuals by providing housing services, support and resources that lead to self-sufficiency.

PURPOSE of ROLE: This position assists and aids program participants with effectively setting, managing and attaining their goals to become self-sufficient and financially independent whether through employment or assistance with social services. The Case Manager may perform home visits, work a flexible schedule, and must be willing to accommodate participants who are available only during the evening or on weekends.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

INTAKE & ASSESSMENT

• Screen prospective program participants for eligibility. Provide complete information regarding program services, expectations, rights and responsibilities.
• Obtain and review necessary case acceptance authorizations/consents including income verification and other documentation to determine eligibility for program and services; review with supervisor.
• Complete assessments including HMIS Intake, VI-SPDAT, and Housing Retention Assessment and use information to evaluate participant strengths, needs, and risk indicators.

CASE PLANNING & MONITORING

• Conduct interviews, access resources to gather information for factual base on which to formulate a plan.
• Critically analyze information gathered during assessment phase and apply in the formulation of a plan.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of participant health and social presenting risks and apply appropriate risk stratification.
• Convey knowledge of health and/or social service delivery model to participants.
• Establish participant goals based on appropriate resource utilization, participant consensus, and level of care and services required.
• Document accurately in established record system.
• Communicate participant care plan with support staff.
• Provide timely completion of all case planning and implementation activities.
• Apply effective follow-up dates to care plan interventions.
• Perform routine comprehensive, independent reassessment of participant status and progress toward achievement of plan goals. Make adjustments in writing as appropriate.
• Utilize existing community resources in providing care/services to meet goals.
• Follow agency procedures to link with other SHELTER, Inc. services and staff supports.
• Pro-actively promote appropriate adjustments in the care plan to enhance outcomes when situation is static or regressive
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date documentation in the established case management record system.
• Communicate changes in eligibility for services and financial assistance during program participation verbally and in writing.
• Act in accordance with laws and procedures governing confidentiality, release of information, consent, domestic violence reporting, mandated reporting, etc.
• Plan for, review with participant, and conduct appropriate closure of cases against specified criteria when resulting from program completion or voluntary exit.
• In case of involuntary discharge/termination, or other adverse action, work with program manager to ensure all procedures are followed.
• Provide post-placement and/or post-exit support as indicated by program or participant needs.
• Maintain post-placement contact with participants to document housing status at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after participation.
• Participate in internal and external case conference/case coordination meetings.
• Keep current on best practices in the social services and housing placement fields.
• Connect and maintain liaison to internal and external service resources.
• Carry a caseload of 20-50 (as determined by service type) households in need of housing assistance, maintaining regular contact with program participants, other service partners, etc.
• Share information with program participants related to personal/family budgeting and financial management, including support with filing tax returns, filing for Earned Income Tax Credit, banking and credit repair.
• Help program participants connect to public and private service resources available to assist them in attaining their stabilization, and follow-up on referrals to encourage participants forward momentum/progress.
• Ensure participant(s) minor children are enrolled in school and other services.
• Regularly report to supervisor on challenging issues that arise in participants progress, presenting recommendations for service transfers, discontinuances or extensions.
• Participate in the process of preparing progress reports for internal and external customers as directed.
• Complete/attend trainings as required and to enhance skills.

DATA & DOCUMENTATION

• Follow established procedure for opening service file.
• Keep all relevant service data up-to-date in HMIS system and maintain case files in accordance with applicable guidelines, completing data entry immediately or no later than within 24 hours of service interaction.
• Comply with data integrity and security policies.
• Meet data quality standards by reviewing discrepancies in data received, verifying accuracy, requesting clarification and advising supervisor of issues related to data.
• Other duties as assigned

EXPECTED PROFICIENCIES:

• Knowledge of social service resource systems and self-help intervention strategies.
• Independently counsel populations of mental health, substance abuse, homeless individuals
• Knowledge and skills in handling substance abuse and mental health issues.
• Knowledge of public benefits and financial resources available in the community.
• Ability to successfully develop relationships utilizing motivational interviewing techniques.
• Crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills including use of motivational interviewing, harm reduction approach, and trauma-informed care.
• Knowledge of family budgeting and money management.
• Thoroughness and accuracy with data collection, entry and quality control in a web based database.
• Patience/tolerance and tact/diplomacy.
• Knowledge of family budgeting and money management.
• Clear/firm-yet-flexible boundaries, consistent energy level and positive demeanor.
• Thoroughness and accuracy with data collection, entry and quality control in a web based database.
• Professionalism: high level of integrity and strong ethical values show capacity to maintain highest standards of confidentiality with all records, including organizational and individual information.
• Strong oral/written communication and listening skills.
• Self-motivated and accountable for work time and other agency resources.
• Quality control: demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, monitors own work to ensure quality and applies feedback to improve performance.
• Well organized: able to effectively manage multiple assignments to meet project deadlines.

MINUIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in social services or related area, certification from a four year program in related area, and/or a combination of education and experience that demonstrates a capacity to help people coming from crisis situations and traumatizing circumstances to develop self-sustainability.
• Experience working with low income and/or homeless populations.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word and Excel)
• Proficient typing skills.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate participants available during the evening or on weekends.
• Experience working in diverse settings with people across all socio-economic spectrums and a wide variety of personalities and roles - staff, residents, local agencies, contractors, lenders, etc.
• Access to reliable personal transportation required, including a DMV record that permits driver to be insured under SHELTER, Inc.s automobile coverage.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters Degree with emphasis in social services, psychology or related fields
• Experience working with people in low-income subsidized housing arrangements and/or supportive housing programs.
• Bi-Lingual English Spanish

Benefit Package Includes

• 18 days of Paid Time Off to start, stepping up to 25 days over 8 years (vacation, sick, personal)
• 15 paid holidays including your birthday!
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical insurance Fully paid employee coverage of at least three plans and 50% of dependents premium (Kaiser, Sutter Health and Anthem Blue Cross)
• Dental Fully paid employee coverage and 50% of your dependent’s premium
• Vision Fully paid employee coverage and 50% of your dependent’s premium
• Flexible spending account
• Group term Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Fully paid employee coverage
• Long-term disability insurance Fully paid employee coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Pet Insurance through Wishbone Pet Insurance
• Voluntary Aflac insurances
• 403b Retirement Plan with matching contribution