Case Manager

Position Overview:

The Hope Day Center Case Manager provides immediate support, assessments, and resource linkage to individuals experiencing homelessness, focusing on securing basic resources, stabilizing their situations and facilitating transitions to housing. Through case management support, individuals experiencing homelessness are aided in resolving their immediate basic needs and establish housing plans. This includes immediate safe placement in emergency shelter, placement through Coordinated Entry and/or placement in both short term and permanent housing. Responsibilities include conducting intake, developing personalized service plans, crisis intervention, navigating community resources, and maintaining client data in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Position Duties and Responsibilities

· Build rapport with individuals in a drop-in setting, assess immediate basic needs, and conduct comprehensive assessments to identify resource needs and barriers to housing (e.g., mental health, substance use, income).

· Interview, assess, counsel and provide resolution and de-escalation for clients in crisis situations involving social, emotional, financial, health or other problems.

· Develop plans of care and offer 1:1 support to meet the needs of the client utilizing person-centered, strengths-based methods.

· Connect clients to housing resources, emergency shelters, healthcare, mental health services, and social benefits.

· Work in collaboration with other team members and community providers to remove barriers to permanent housing: e.g., acquisition of identification, legal aid, benefits assistance, assistance in obtaining income (SSI/SSD), life skills acquisition.

· Assist with housing searches, applications, lease negotiations, and move-in logistics.

· Maintain accurate, timely case notes, and input data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to meet reporting requirements.

· Ability to work independently and successfully balance time in the community with clients with the documentation requirements of the program.

· Maintain accurate, confidential, professional and up to date documentation (electronic and hard copy) of all client services.

· Attend and participate in staff meetings and client reviews, internally and with partner agencies.

· Actively participate in community meetings and consortiums relative to the homeless provider network, collaborating effectively with coordinating service delivery.

· Advocate for client needs with landlords, service providers, and community partners.

· Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Requires a BSW or equivalent human service related Bachelor's degree with at least 2 years relevant work experience. A MSW or other Master's degree in a related human service field is strongly preferred.

Ability to build rapport with clients from all walks of life and backgrounds while setting appropriate boundaries and limits and while holding clients to a high standard of accountability.

Ability to provide general assessment of mental health and health needs, literacy and job skill needs, and assess for other client barriers; once assessment is complete ability to consult with Program Coordinator, other agency staff, and community resources as needed to assist the client.

Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local programs available to assist people with low or no income, with workforce development and employment, health and mental health needs, and other client barriers; Willingness to continue to learn about new programs and educate other UMD staff about programs.

Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care, Housing First principals & Basic understanding of HUD structures and concepts, Ability to critically analyze the roots of homelessness and the systems and resources needed to intervene in homelessness.

Ability to motivate and encourage clients with decreased confidence, decreased self-esteem, and feelings of being overwhelmed with their life circumstances; Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and basic theories of behavior change.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Pre-employment background check required

Pay: $40,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person