Housing Supports Case Manager

Housing Supports Case Manager

La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc. (LCDP) was founded in 1972 by a group of local activists seeking to establish educational and charitable programs to meet the needs of Newark's Puerto Rican community. Named in honor of Don Pedro Albizu Campos, LCDP has since evolved to become the largest Latinx-led organization in the state of New Jersey, serving 50,000 Newark and Essex County residents annually under three central pillars: Early Childhood (Prenatal, Early Head Start, Head Start, and Pre-K); Healthy Homes (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization, Lead Remediation/Abatement); and Community Empowerment (Women & Family Center, Immigration, Workforce Readiness, Youth Enrichment, Housing & Home Ownership Support, and Community Organizing).

La Casa de Don Pedro seeks a Housing Supports Case Manager to assist the Housing Services Coordinator and the Managing Director in providing pre-tenancy and tenancy-sustaining services to Medicaid-eligible clients in NJ FamilyCare. The role involves assessing housing needs, creating action plans, and connecting clients to permanent housing and support services. The Case Manager will ensure compliance with Medicaid guidelines, maintain accurate records, and collaborate with property managers, healthcare providers, and community partners using a client-centered, culturally responsive approach. The Housing Supports Case Manager will serve as an integral member of the Community Empowerment team and will contribute to the overall efficiency of La Casa de Don Pedro by providing personalized and timely support.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Client Assessment and Planning

• Conduct comprehensive intake assessments for assisting 25–30 members referred by Partnered Managed Care documenting housing history, barriers, and needs in the Electronic Health Record system within 48 hours of initial contact.
• Develop individualized housing action plans that identify at least three measurable housing stability goals per client, reviewing and updating these goals quarterly to track progress.
• Familiarity with affordable housing and housing subsidies, within the Greater Newark area and surrounding counties.
• Experience with crisis intervention regarding issues such as homelessness and affordable housing access.
• Knowledge and experience with service agencies linkage and resources for low-income and/or homeless individuals and families.

Pre-Tenancy and Tenancy-Sustaining Services

• Assist clients in completing and submitting a minimum of 10–15 housing applications per month, ensuring applications are fully compliant and submitted on time.
• Facilitate tenant education sessions (one per client within their first month of engagement), covering budgeting, rent payment strategies, and conflict resolution skills.
• Achieve a retention rate clients maintaining stable housing for six months post-placement, as measured through quarterly follow-ups and EHR documentation.
• Maintain and document face to face contact with each enrolled member, noted in housing plan.
• One contact per quarter takes place in members' home to access living environment.

Coordination with Health and Social Services

• Refer clients to appropriate wraparound supports (e.g., mental health counseling, employment training, healthcare services) within 30 days of initial assessment, documenting referrals and follow-ups in the EHR.
• Collaborate with community partners and Managed Care Organizations by attending bi-monthly coordination meetings.
• Maintain accuracy in EHR records for client interactions, including service plans and billing information, validated through monthly supervisor audits.
• Submit all Medicaid-compliant billing claims within established deadlines.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports detailing service outcomes (e.g., number of clients housed, average time-to-placement) and identify trends for continuous quality improvement.

Housing Recertification and Crisis Planning

• Provide support with recertification processes of clients requiring it, ensuring timely submission of necessary documentation and maintaining stable subsidies.
• Develop and update housing support and crisis plans for all active clients every six months, ensuring that include documented emergency protocol in place, resulting in improved preparedness and reduced housing disruptions.

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• All Required trainings for Medicaid Readiness and required by NJ FamilyCare.
• Engage in monthly case review meetings to evaluate client progress and identify barriers,
• Contribute qualitative case notes highlighting client feedback, challenges, and successes, aiding in program enhancements that increase overall client satisfaction scores by 10% annually.

Requirements

Educational, Required Skills and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, or a related field required.
• At least two years of case management or direct service experience in housing assistance, social services, or related areas, preferably in a nonprofit or community-based setting required.
• Strong understanding of tenant rights, fair housing laws, and community resources in Newark and Essex County.
• Familiarity with Medicaid billing and authorizations, NJ FamilyCare programs, and Housing First principles is highly desirable.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Computer Skills including use of Microsoft 365.
• Valid driver's license with ability to travel for Staff Development and Conferences.
• Bi-lingual in English & Spanish required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk, stand, and climb stairs or ladders if necessary.
• Extended periods of sitting for documentation, meetings, and case notes.
• Occasional lifting or carrying items such as files or supplies weighing up to 20lbs.

*The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation, Schedule, and Other Information:

• Employment type: Full Time
• FLSA status: Non- Exempt
• SOC code: 21-1099
• Reports to: Housing Services Coordinator and/or Managing Director
• Schedule: Monday – Friday; 9:00am – 5:00pm. Ability to work evenings, weekends and when necessary to attend community meetings and events.
• Compensation: $27.47 per hour
• Fringe Benefits: Health, employee assistance program, Teladoc, vision, dental, paid time off, paid sick leave, life insurance, travel reimbursement (when eligible), and 401k retirement plan offered