Housing Case Manager - 11-037 - SC/ Bell Shelter

Job Description

Job Description

Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

Position Summary

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Housing Program Case Manager’s primary duty is to provide professional and individualized case management services, information, and referrals designed to assist eligible individuals experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness in acquiring and maintaining permanent housing. Housing Programs may include but are not limited to financial assistance, Intensive Case Management at the permanent housing support. This position is wholly or partially funded by one or more government contracts; therefore, employment is dependent upon continued funds availability from the funding agency.

Pay Range

$26.45/hr. - $31.05/hr.

Essential Functions

• Provide a crisis response philosophy and approach focused on supporting individuals experiencing a housing crisis to quickly identify and access alternative housing resources outside of the homeless crisis response system. Including clients referred by internal and external partnerships and contractors.
• Provide active listening skills through creative conversations, supports the individual in crisis to identify viable temporary or permanent housing resources within their own networks or resources, such as family or friends.
• Identify the financial assistance appropriate for each case by providing individualized case management services, information, and referrals designed to assist participants in addressing the underlying causes of their homeless condition and removing barriers to independence. Ensure that those individuals who do not have alternative housing options are quickly connected to existing emergency crisis housing services to ensure their immediate health and safety needs are met.
• Learn and observe all housing programs contracts, policies, and procedures and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations that govern the program, including participant confidentiality laws and regulations.
• Perform participant enrollments, including documenting participant eligibility and assisting participants acquire documents needed for housing placement.
• Develop with each assigned participant an individualized housing plan to establish and track participant goals, including action steps and timeframe for completion of each step. 
• Actively manage a case load of 25 plus participants, depending upon acuity level.
• After initial high-intensity service initiation period, ensure face to face, or other approved mode of case management is at least once a week or as needed to: assess, support, motivate and encourage participant to work towards their goals and/or needs and provide ongoing support by practicing a “whatever it takes” approach and Trauma Informed care, Harm Reduction and Housing First Models.
• Complete initial psychosocial/mental health assessment; develop an individual service plan and case notes, as required, and monthly action plan with each assigned participant, to establish and track participant goals, including action steps and timeframe for completion of each step leading to securing permanent housing.
• Strengthen job readiness skills through coaching in job search, applications, resume writing, interviewing and follow-up skills.
• Assist each participant in developing a personal budget, including establishing or increasing their income and/or creating a savings plan. Maintain accurate records of participant income and/or savings. 
• Collection of financial documents such as income, rental payments, and savings.
• Complete VISPDAT and/or Next Step Tool with all eligible participants to ensure they are connected with the CES system and collaborate with the SPA 7 Housing Navigator/Matcher to link participants to potential housing resources using the CES matching system.
• Collaborate, develop, and foster linkages with other social service agencies to provide participants with access to a broad range of supportive services, including but not limited to VASH, SSFV, HVRP, CBEST, legal services, transportation services, health/mental health services, employment preparation/placement services, substance abuse services, vocational services, access to mainstream benefits, and identification of and access to permanent housing.
• Assist with audit preparation and assigned file auditing to maintain all elements of participant data both digital and paper format with emphasis on accuracy, thoroughness, and timeliness. 
• Help program participants identify potential neighborhoods where they wish to live, conduct housing searches in said areas and negotiate with potential landlords on behalf of the participants.
• Assist in the processing and submission of applications for housing (subsidized and unsubsidized).
• Outreach to the community, business owners, realtors, landlords, housing developers and other services/agencies.
• Ability to tactfully ask open ended and difficult/personal questions.
• Ability to utilize active listening, motivational interviewing, coaching, mediation, and conflict resolution with participant, families/friends and/or landlords.
• Provide mobile and field-based case management, housing navigation and support to participants.
• Update and ensure the accuracy of participant files, including housing goal plan, case notes, and uploading of related participant documentation to support the primary goal of successful permanent housing placement for all assigned participants.
• Participate in all service team meetings, case conferences, and training events required by the funder and/or requested by Program Manager.
• Provide periodic data reports as requested by the Program Manager and as required by funding contracts.
• Regularly and accurately maintain participant data in HMIS/CHAMPS and paper file, including complete documentation of all activities, services, and outcomes achieved. Update case notes, snap shots and general participant information within 72 hours of meeting with participant.
• Ensure that participant files are up to date, including all required program and/or housing placement documentation.
• Provide appropriate housing referrals for participants and assist participants in identifying and accessing housing, including assisting with housing applications, unit searches, unit visits/inspections, and other activities necessary to support housing acquisition for participants. 
• Assist the Program Manager with employee education and training.
• Participate in monthly supervision sessions with Program Manager for feedback and guidance on employee performance.
• Complete all appropriate incident reports, requests for extensions, and other necessary program documentation.
• Track and report all program expenditures for participants in a timely and accurate manner. 
• Provide monthly statistics as required by The Salvation Army.
• Provide participants with a broad range of supportive services individually designed to assist each participant achieve the goal of acquiring and maintaining housing. 
• Is subject to frequent interruptions by participants, other staff members, visitors, funding agencies, etc.
• Works beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to hostile and/or emotionally upset participants.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by Program Manager, Associate Director, and Director.
• Other duties as assigned. 

Working Conditions

Ability to walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or sometimes continuous basis. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to operate computer, fax and telephone. Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. The position is largely field-based assignments, with periodic office time for filing, copying, staff meetings, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS degree preferred in social work or related area of study with 1-year work experience with special needs, low-income and/or homeless populations.
• OR high school diploma with 2-3 years of experience providing direct mental health or intensive case management services to individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Current knowledge of and interest in homeless populations and available supportive resources.
• If in recovery, must have 2 years of sobriety.
• Understand and support the mission of The Salvation Army.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to support regular in-home case management visits.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid certification prior to employment and annually thereafter.
• TB-cleared prior to hire and annually thereafter.

Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Driving Test, clean MVR check (if applies). 
• Knowledge of HMIS/CHAMPS preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, and ability to type 45 wpm. Basic math skills.
• Ability to actively listen and take genuine interest in helping homeless individuals to address and reduce barriers to independence. 
• Good time management and communication skills, both verbal and written. Professional telephone etiquette.
• Meet deadlines, work with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills with both participants and staff in a professional, respectful manner.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand English.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.