Case Manager, Shelter - Alexandria, United States - New Hope Housing Inc

Description

Job Description

Position: Case Manager, Shelter

Reports to: Case Manager, Senior

Summary of Position:

Shelter Case Managers provide shelter and rapid rehousing services, engaging in a collaborative process of assessing, planning, facilitating, and advocating to meet the needs of individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis. Through counseling and coordination of available resources, Shelter Case Managers assist guests in locating and maintaining temporary or permanent housing to promote housing stability. In addition, Shelter Case Managers are responsible for preparing, monitoring, and evaluating individualized housing stabilization plans and provide intervention to facilitate alternative solutions to specific problems. Shelter Case Managers work with low-income individuals and families at risk of becoming homeless or who are already homeless. Shelter Case Managers maintain case records with unique identifiers, including psychosocial assessments, budgets, and housing stabilization plans. In addition, Shelter Case Managers establish and maintain interagency relationships and community partnerships to provide services.

Essential Responsibilities:

Some of the essential responsibilities of the Shelter Case Manager include, but are not limited to:

• Utilizes crisis intervention, motivational interviewing, counseling, and problem-solving techniques to engage and establish rapport with guests;
• Conducts psychosocial assessments to determine immediate need, history, and potential strengths and barriers;
• Assesses initial and ongoing risk and level of need using a Self-Sufficiency Matrix and other assessment tools;
• Assists guests in identifying their needs and barriers to housing stability such as employment, credit, childcare, physical and mental health issues, substance use, and criminal history;
• Assists guests in identifying their strengths and maximizing their personal resources;
• Reviews verifications, prepares social histories, and makes recommendations for financial assistance to stabilize housing based on federal, state, and local program guidelines;
• Develops individualized housing stabilization plans with guests, addressing their service needs in life domains such as housing, family relationships, child care, health care, financial management, education, training, and employment, mental health, and substance abuse;
• Refers, coordinates, and monitors the delivery of appropriate services and leverages community resources to meet guests' basic and treatment needs;
• Provides crisis counseling and makes appropriate referrals to assist guests in addressing emotional and environmental problems, including relationship, suicidal ideation, substance use, self-injurious and risky behaviors, immigration, and employment;
• Monitors guest progress and provide supportive services to ensure the housing stabilization plan goals and strategies meet changing needs and priorities;
• Accompanies guests to appointment as needed;
• Conducts outreach in the community to educate and link guest to services;
• Meets and presents cases regularly at multidisciplinary team meetings to aid in identifying services needs and engagement techniques;
• Provides guidance and training to interns, volunteers, and new staff;
• Acts as a liaison between guests and other agency personnel and advocates for guests within all systems;
• Works closely with agency housing staff, including providing referrals and feedback on guest needs;
• In the absence of Housing staff, builds and maintains partnerships with landlords, management companies, and non-profit providers to identify and secure affordable housing locally and in surrounding jurisdictions for guests;
• Updates and keeps a log of contacts write reports and narratives;
• Adheres to the required ethical standards to include confidentiality, boundaries, guest rights;
• Creates and maintain confidential guest records in compliance with agency policy, to have use of HMIS for case management, data collection, and as a reporting tool;
• Prepares monthly statistical and narrative reports according to federal, state, and local and grant requirements;
• Attends and participates in staff meetings, staff development, and professional training to increase knowledge and enhance skills;
• Guides staff, community organizations, and businesses on homeless and homeless prevention programs;
• Identifies gaps in services;
• Stays current on new and existing guest programs, services, and resources; implement best practices to maximize desired outcomes;
• Composes correspondence, maintains records, files, and documents;
• Models a caring, concerned and respectful attitude toward guests, maintains adherence to guest guidelines and upholds shelter procedures. Is familiar with and complies with policies and practices of New Hope Housing, Inc.;
• Performs related work as required, accepts special projects and other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in social work or related field and at least one year of experience in case management, teaching, or counseling the economically disadvantaged;
• Extensive knowledge of social, economic, health, and behavioral problems; ability to identify social issues and needs to assess guests' and their family's ability to utilize available services;
• Strong knowledge of benefit programs and community resources and ability to interpret laws, policies, and procedures, and regulations for such programs;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and advocate for service population and liaison with community resources;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;
• Ability to prepare and maintain complete and accurate records and reports and possess proficient computer skills;
• Some experience in case coordination;
• Experience teaching or counseling the economically disadvantaged and developmentally, emotionally, and physically disabled population, local offender population, and homeless population;
• Completion of college-level courses in sociology, psychology, or a related human service field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Incumbent must be able to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnights, as required;
• Ability to demonstrate commitment to the specific agency mission values and philosophy;
• The ability to successfully pass a background check and possess a valid driver's license with a good driving record to be approved by our insurance carrier.

ADA Statement: New Hope Housing Inc. will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any person in need of accommodation should contact Human Resources directly for assistance.

New Hope Housing is proud to be an EOE/ADA employer that values diversity