Case Manager

Summary/Objective

To assist families experiencing homelessness with obtaining suitable housing. A Case Manager will use a trauma-informed approach to help families navigate barriers to tenancy. They will assist families in building a support system by connecting them with resources they can access while in shelter and continue to access once they are stably housed. Responsible for the development of trusting, supportive and respectful relationships with clients while maintaining a safe and secure shelter environment. As with all shelter staff, the Case Manager will assist in the overall maintenance of a structured and enhanced shelter environment.

Essential Functions

• Meet with each new family within three business days and begin a family life assessment/housing history to establish needs and issues of family.
• Assist family to connect with services in the community that are useful to addressing any needs of individual family members. Establish initial contact if needed.
• Within 5 days of shelter entry create a Re-housing plan with the family that addresses areas of employment, life skills and counseling assessment. Update Re-housing plan every 30 days as required by EOHLC. Support families in completing activities listed in the Re-housing plan. Take appropriate steps when a family does not comply with the plan.
• Assist participants 18 and older in connecting to job training, job placement services, or Mass Rehab.

• Resolve or facilitate tenancy screening barriers, such as securing identifying documents and determine through a printout, bill or direct information from the utility companies the status of past debt.

• Assist participants in securing benefits such as but not limited to; TAFDC, SNAP, MassHealth, and WIC
• Assist families with securing or maintaining current healthcare services.
• Meet with each family minimally bi-weekly or weekly as needed.
• Document case management efforts and meetings utilizing the EA case notes in ETO.
• Comply with all EOHLC requirements in the ETO system.

• Develop a budget with the family and monitor it on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

• Assist family in ensuring support connections/resources are accessible upon exiting shelter.
• Conduct weekly unit inspections with the Operations Support Staff. Address all housekeeping issues as needed. Teach and monitor necessary skills for maintaining cleanliness and order. Be prepared to teach by example.

• Prepare each unit for new move-in taking steps necessary to have unit clean, orderly, and ready for new family.

• Transportation and support as necessary.
• In collaboration with Housing Search Worker:
• Develop a shelter exit plan for each family.
• Knowledge of various housing programs including but not limited to; housing subsidies, housing lotteries, and processing for the HomeBase program.
• Communicate with families and Housing Worker to understand the family’s housing priorities, including but not limited to unit location, size, and rent, as well as other information that may be helpful to establish a positive tenancy
• Assist housing workers in addressing issues of past tenancies and establish a plan for avoiding missteps in the future, i.e., history of non-payment of rent or utilities.
• Coordinate and assist housing worker in tenancy education such as, how to engage with landlords, unit viewing skills, and lease rights and expectations

Additional Duties

• Call case conferences as needed and include all necessary parties.
• Assist other team members as needed or as directed by the supervisor.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director or to help meet program criteria.
• Participate in training required by Housing Assistance Corp or EOHLC
• Comply with all reporting requirements of the shelter funding source, including maintaining accurate case files.
• Attend staff meetings as required.

Required Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• HS Diploma or equivalency
• 2 years experience working with homeless or low income families
• Experience working with clients in crisis
• Strong ability to effectively resolve and cope with immediate crisis situations
• Detail oriented with strong organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Able to set and observe appropriate boundaries with clients
• Possess well developed decision making skills
• Ability to multi-task and remain calm in demanding and unpredictable situations
• Computer skills including MS Word and Microsoft Outlook
• Valid MA Driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Service or Social Science field
• 5+ years experience working with homeless or low income families
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people
• Bilingual

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Use of and/or subject to:
  • Vehicle
  • Computers/monitors
• Physical requirements:
  • Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25lbs
  • Occasional pushing up to 75 lbs
  • Occasional pulling up to 75 lbs
  • Occasional bending
  • Occasional squatting
  • Occasional kneeling