Case Manager

Case Manager

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity, Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes, life skills, and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years, Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at bringing an end to youth homelessness in the DC region. Today, its programs in DC and Prince George's County, MD, reach over 6,500 runaway, homeless, abused, and neglected youth, and their families.

The Sasha Bruce Prince George's County Drop-In Center, also known as the Bruce Empowerment Zone, was established in 2021. It works to reduce the length of time that a young person aging from 14-24 experiences home insecurity in the Prince George's County region. By working constantly doing outreach, the Drop-In Center fosters a safe and trusting environment where youth can receive care. In addition to providing survival services, the Center supports youth in their journey towards stable housing and economic independence. Services provided include:

• Free meals & snacks
• Hygiene supplies
• Referrals to things such as mental health counseling
• Substance abuse support
• Vital records attainment
• Public benefits attainment support
• College and career services
• Case management
• Computer lab

The Case Manager collaborates with other Drop-In Center staff to assist with the daily operation of a Youth Drop-In Center for homeless and unstably housed youth ages 12-24. The Case Manager provides youth with an assessment in order to link them to appropriate services; maintains an active caseload; develops Harm Reduction and/or Individualized Case Plans; and monitors client progress towards their goals. The Case Manager also collaborates with other staff to provide life skills trainings and other sociocultural activities in an effort to support their success in reaching goals.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Supports outreach efforts for the Drop In Center including attending events, facilitating informational workshops and other efforts as outlined in outreach schedules;
• Regularly engages with potential and active clients;
• Completes intake with clients; develops, monitors, and updates clients' Individual Case Plans in collaboration with youth;
• Meets with clients to ensure that case goals are being met and to discuss barriers if they are not;
• Assists clients in scheduling appointments with other social service providers; accompanies clients, as necessary, to legal, medical, dental and other appointments;
• Makes referrals for the following services: educational and vocational programs, career development programs, housing, medical and dental services, legal services, mental health services;
• For relevant clients, maintains contact with educational program administrators, teachers and school counselors to monitor school attendance, behavior and academic performance;
• Implements a housing prioritization tool with clients and enters assessment information into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS);
• Facilities group life-skills and other workshops as scheduled;
• Conducts individual sessions with clients as needed;
• Crisis intervention and crisis counseling for clients as needed;
• Assists Program Manager in the development of monthly calendar of recreational and sociocultural activities. Leads activities and coordinates with other Drop-In Center staff and volunteers for joint activities, as appropriate;
• Creates monthly reports on Drop-In Center Case Management activities;
• Enters all case notes and appropriate data into HMIS and other systems daily;
• Meets with Program Manager for weekly programmatic supervision and with Clinical Supervisor for bi-weekly case management supervision and group supervision;
• Improves professional skills by attending workshops, seminars, and training sessions as allowed by time and funding constraints;
• Serves as a representative of SBY on various county-wide committees dealing with youth homelessness if requested; and,
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include:

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree; area of emphasis in social work, psychology, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working with youth or young adults;
• Strong knowledge of community resources and navigating social services; individuals who have experience living and/or working in Prince George's County are preferred;
• Understanding of harm reduction philosophy, trauma-informed provision of services and positive youth development strategies;
• Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults;
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule. The position will require evening and weekend hours;
• Strong communication and organization skills;
• Dynamic energy, able to multitask, and negotiate multiple demands on attention;
• Basic understanding of computer and database systems for managing case records;
• Bilingual skills (English and Spanish) and experience working with LGBTQ youth and youth of color are pluses;
• Physically, this role will require an individual to bend and climb stairs, occasionally work outside in rain, heat and cold as needed; speak audibly and listen actively; and sit for extended periods of time;
• As this position may involve occasional outreach and client transport, a valid driver's license and comfort driving a minivan are strongly preferred; and,
• Ability to complete the state and FBI Background checks, Child Protection Clearance, and Driving Clearance, and other clearances required of SBY personnel before starting work.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.