Care Coordinator (SGVCOG)

Care Coordinator

The Care Coordinator provides case management services through the Homelessness Prevention and Time Limited Subsidies (TLS) programs for assigned program participants. The Care Coordinator collaborates with Housing Navigators to assist families in navigating the lease up process, and provides supportive services and resource linkage to promote housing retention and wellness.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manages a caseload of 20-25 households that have been matched to Prevention or TLS slots.
• Rapidly enrolls referrals received from LAHSA, Family Response Team and/or Housing Navigators, including gathering documentation needed for enrollment and creating Housing and Services Plans (HSP) in collaboration with participants.
• Coordinates with Housing Navigators to support the lease up process, including locating units, verifying property ownership, inspecting units and submitting move-in packets.
• Connects participants to resources that support housing stabilization and promote wellness, including medical, mental health and/or substance use services, employment, child care, etc.
• Engages households on a consistent basis to provide support related to HSP goals, and to discuss budgets and progressive financial assistance. Frequency of services will be based on the needs of the family, but home visits must occur once a month at minimum. Weekly visits are required for any unhoused participants.
• Provides trauma informed services that align with Housing First and Harm Reduction philosophies, are in accordance with agency and funder expectations, and abide by legal and ethical standards.
• Strives to recognize the best in each participant and supports the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength based case management techniques.
• Acts as an advocate for participants who are experiencing housing barriers (e.g. poor credit, evictions, etc.), while establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with landlords and property owners.
• Ensures that landlords are respecting tenant rights and that participants are aware of the expectations and obligations outlined in their lease agreements.
• Connects participants to legal services when necessary to mitigate evictions or other tenant rights issues.
• Completes and submits monthly rental packets that accurately reflect the household's needs as well as their progression toward financial independence, while taking into account program timelines.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in HMIS and charts in accordance with agency policies and expectations.
• Completes annual recertifications, including assessing for ongoing eligibility and unit inspections.
• Assesses participant's need for a transition to a more supportive housing resource and assists participants in accessing shallow subsidy, housing vouchers or permanent supportive housing resources when needed. This also includes relocation when necessary.
• Regularly explores opportunities for community integration to support housing retention in preparation for a successful termination of services when appropriate.
• Transports participants as needed to essential appointments and conducts visits within the community in SPA 3 and Los Angeles County.
• Participates in weekly supervision and staff meetings, as well as Programs Department and agency-wide meetings and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical and mental requirements and work environment:

• Work indoors in temperature controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger, handle or feel.
• See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions, perform administrative work, and drive motor vehicles including passenger vans.
• Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers and members of the public.
• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.
• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information.
• Transcribe, enter, and post data.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• May require exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious agents.
• Requires use of a computer keyboard for substantial periods of time.
• Able to travel to off-site meetings or other activities.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of crisis and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.
• Knowledge of housing issues in San Gabriel Valley preferred.
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs.
• Current knowledge of best practice models, including: Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Mental Health Recovery, Harm Reduction, and Critical Time Intervention.
• Proficient in use of laptop computer and Microsoft Windows, Office software programs, and Google Apps. (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, G-mail, Docs).
• Ability to accurately enter client data and progress notes in the Homeless Management Information System, and run program management reports.
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, printer and scanner).
• Understanding of case management practices and ability to accurately and clearly document case notes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Possess valid California driver's license and have access to properly registered vehicle.

Education, training and experience:

Minimum qualifications:

• Option I: A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field.
• Option II: Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related human services field.
• Option III: Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS direct employment or temporary assignment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.

Desirable:

• Experience working with participants with complex medical, mental health, and/or substance use conditions strongly preferred.
• Experience in the following areas strongly preferred: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, medical, mental health, or substance use services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.

Monday - Friday 40hrs/week, Full Time, Non-Exempt