Encampment Resolution Case Manager (67821)

Encampment Resolution Case Manager

Salary Range $26.35 - $29.13 Hourly Position Type Full Time Education Level Bachelor's Degree - 4 Year Degree

Overview

Volunteers of America Western Washington is a non-profit organization operating in Western Washington for over 125 years. Our Christian roots drive us to put our faith into action for the benefit of every member of the community. We celebrate our unique perspectives that allow us to better serve and uplift our community – and each other. Volunteers of America Western Washington is officially a designated CARE trauma informed organization.

Description

The Case Manager position supports the housing efforts to vulnerable families and individuals in Snohomish County. The Case Manager will prepare clients to be housed through the Encampment Resolution Program (ERP), a low-barrier, Housing First and housing subsidy program, that will eventually lead to permanent housing, wraparound services, and long-term self-sufficiency for the clients.

Principal Activities

• Obtain a minimal case load of clients under the ERP program throughout Snohomish County.
• Ensure that all individuals and households receiving services meet program eligibility requirements.
• Provide case management to literally homeless individuals and families and have ability to build trust to provide high-quality case management to those living in unhabitable conditions.
• Meet with individuals/households to verify final eligibility and assist them in completing all necessary paperwork to facilitate entrance into the program.
• Provide intensive housing search and placement assistance, which includes the services and activities needed to assist participants in locating and obtaining suitable permanent housing within 86 days of enrollment. (assessment of needs and barriers to housing placement, negotiation with property owners/landlords, ensure housing safety standards, and rent reasonableness).
• Develop strong collaborative relationships with property owners/landlords to help facilitate the placement of clients into safe, decent, and affordable permanent housing.
• Ensure clients understanding of rental agreements, housing policies and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and work as a team with other Case Managers or VOAWW ERP Outreach Specialists.
• If needed, use appropriate protective safety equipment that has been provided.
• Complete HMIS paperwork with clients and enroll them into ERP.
• Work collaboratively with other non-profit partners, local law enforcement, embedded social workers, and Case Managers to ensure continuum of care is provided to clients experiencing homelessness and poverty.
• Ensure clients are following the rules of the VOAWW program, their lease, and other obligations, which also include maintaining the appearance of their home by conducting monthly inspections.
• Perform daily administrative tasks such as maintaining confidential paper files that stay in the Housing Services Lombard office in a locked cabinet, processing paperwork with deadlines, maintaining a weekly client case tracker, providing monthly success stories, and adding enrollments, services, and case notes into HMIS within the 5-day county deadline.
• Assist clients as needed in completing all necessary paperwork throughout the program.
• Work with clients in obtaining any missing personal documents that may be a barrier to them in obtaining housing.
• Work with clients to complete referral documentation and informed consent documents for services.
• Work effectively with the Case Managers to collaborate on basic needed items or services.
• Collaborate with other partner agencies to maximize participant outcomes and contractual program goals.
• Conduct in-person or phone case management meetings. Case Managers are required to meet with clients in person at least once a week until they are housed. After they are housed, the requirement is to meet at least once a month for 1 hour or based on clients' needs.
• Complete chronological case notes within 24 hours of contact or encounter with clients in both HMIS and Extended Reach (ER).
• Routinely assess strengths and barriers to housing stability including health, substance use and mental health issues.
• Support clients with developing income-increasing strategies, money management, employability, and wage progression to help achieve their goals.
• Prepare Requests for Payments (RFP) for financial assistance and submit all required documentation to the Program Manager in a timely manner to avoid any late fees.
• Exit clients from HMIS once they have graduated or leave the program.
• Have a clear understanding of Foundational Community Supports (FCS) for all FCS clients.
• Understand and use Extended Reach (ER) as part of their client record keeping.
• Help deliver and possibly set up furniture and household items for clients.
• Help assist clients with food from the VOAWW Food Bank as needed.
• Required work schedule will be 3 days on-site (Lombard (Main Housing Services Office), ACRC, Motels, Apartments, VOAWW offices, or other locations), with flexibility to work nights and weekends. However, if performance issues arise, you may be asked to work 5 days on-site or other set schedule.
• Adherence with the Agency's code of ethics and regulations for confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or a related field from an accredited university. Professional work experience in the field as a Case Manager of 5 years or more could be accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 2 years working with individuals and/or families experiencing homelessness.

Required Skills:

• An extensive understanding of trauma-informed care principles with experience in implementing its principles with clients and in the workplace with co-workers.
• Knowledge and experience working with the Housing First Model.
• Experience in creating action plans and meeting with clients on a regular basis to assess the plan and their needs.
• At least 2 years of experience working with landlords to meet clients' needs to get them housed or to prevent clients from becoming homeless, which includes landlord engagement.
• Effective organizational skills, and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work cooperatively with staff, landlords and participants.
• Experience working with clients that have mental illness and substance abuse challenges.
• Experience working with families and individuals in crisis.
• Preferred experience with using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Experience working with FCS and its billing process.
• Experience with Motivational Interviewing and knowledge of strength-based approaches of case management.
• Training in: Trauma Informed Care, De-escalation, Mediation, Mental Health First Aid, Landlord Tenant and Fair Housing Laws, Domestic Violence, Drug Abuse or Addiction, and NARCAN distribution.
• Effective organizational skills, attention to detail, accuracy, transparency, follow-through, and communication skills of all forms.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel.
• Experience working in teams or pairs to complete a job objective.
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• A Valid Driver License, positive driving record, and reliable form of transportation.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all employment-related decisions are made without consideration of individuals' race, sex, age, national origin, disability status or any other protected characteristic.