Shelter Case Manager (Ohio, LSW)

Shelter Case Manager (Ohio Licensed Social Worker, LSW)

Reports to: Case Management Supervisor

FLSA Status: Fulltime, Non-Exempt

Caseload: 12-15 families

Position summary

Bethany House Services is seeking a compassionate, organized, and trauma-informed Case Manager to support families experiencing homelessness in our residential shelter. The Case Manager will carry a caseload of 12–15 families and provide comprehensive, strengths-based, and housing-focused services that promote safety, stability, and long-term self-sufficiency. The ideal candidate is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with experience working with families, public and private funded programs, and Job and Family Services (JFS) systems.

Key responsibilities

• Intake, assessment, and planning.
• Conduct timely biopsychosocial and housing assessments using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach.
• Develop individualized service plans with clear, measurable goals related to housing, income, health, education, and family well-being.
• Assess safety and basic needs; coordinate immediate supports and referrals.

Housing navigation and stabilization

• Assist clients in determining family needs in all areas, including, but not limited to crisis intervention, employment, education, financial health, access to physical and mental health services, and other identified circumstances.
• Implement case management plans and strategies to reduce shelter length of stay and secure safe, affordable, and appropriate housing.
• Assist the Housing Specialist with landlord engagement, unit search, applications, reasonable accommodations, inspections, and move-in coordination.
• Coordinate and monitor client financial assistance per program guidelines (e.g., deposit, utilities, rental arrears, prevention/rapid rehousing where applicable).

Systems navigation

• Navigate shelter funded programs and requirements (e.g., ESG, eligibility, documentation, habitability, HQS coordination).
• Coordinate with external partners for benefits access, maintenance, resources (e.g., TOWF, SNAP, Medicaid, Child Care, PRC), employment supports, and child welfare collaboration as appropriate.
• Advocate for families within public systems; ensure compliance with eligibility and documentation standards.

Service coordination and referrals

• Connect families to behavioral health care, primary care, DV/SA services, early childhood/education supports, legal aid, transportation, and other community resources.
• Stay informed of local resources, services and partnerships available to clients and actively seek new resources and partnerships that benefit clients.
• Collaborate with Family Services Department in aligning support from schools, childcare providers, and youth services to minimize educational disruption and support developmental needs.
• Collaborate closely with the Parent & Child Coordinator in Family Services to provide educational and wrap-around resources and guidance.
• Encourage clients to enroll in life-skills classes workshops for family members.

Trauma-informed, family-centered practice

• Apply trauma-informed care principles (safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment) in all interactions and documentation.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, de-escalation, critical time intervention (CTI) and strengths-based approaches to engage caregivers and children.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold confidentiality and client rights.

Case management and documentation

• Maintain an active caseload of 12–15 families, meeting agency productivity and contact standards including at least one 30-minute 1:1 with clients once per week.
• Provide families who have exited the shelter program with limited follow-up services and support through the BHS post-shelter support program and Aftercare.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation in HMIS and agency EHR per HUD, JFS, and agency policies.
• Actively work to maintain appropriate documentation and conduct monthly file (peer) reviews.
• Track outcomes and contribute to continuous quality improvement and performance metrics.

Shelter collaboration and operations

• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferencing, and coordinated entry processes.
• Support shelter policies related to safety, crisis response, critical incident reporting, infection control, and responding to concerns written in the SA daily shift report.
• Proactively collaborate with coworkers, participants, and others by the sharing of ideas and resources constructively and positively.
• Provide on-call or after-hours support on a rotating basis, as assigned.

Minimum qualifications

• Active Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in good standing in the state of Ohio
• Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or related field required.
• One or more years’ experience providing case management to families or children/youth in shelter, housing, or community-based settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with publicly and privately funded homelessness services and requirements.
• Experience coordinating with Job and Family Services (e.g., TANF/OWF, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare, workforce) and understanding of JFS processes and documentation.
• Formal training and practical application of trauma-informed care.
• Proficient with HMIS or similar databases, documentation standards, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally between sites, landlords, and partner agencies as needed.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of Coordinated Entry, VI-SPDAT/other housing assessments, and local Continuum of Care processes.
• Familiarity with fair housing laws, reasonable accommodations, VAWA protections, and landlord-tenant basics.
• Experience with motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and evidence-based parenting or child-wellbeing curricula.
• Experience with benefits advocacy and employment navigation (e.g., workforce boards, WIOA partners).

Key competencies

• Trauma-informed, family-centered engagement
• Cultural humility and equity-driven practice
• Strong assessment, planning, and problem-solving skills
• Clear written and verbal communication; advocacy and conflict resolution
• Time management and organization across a high-volume caseload
• Teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Professional boundaries, ethics, and confidentiality (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2 as applicable)

Physical and work environment

• Work is performed in a residential shelter and community settings; frequent in-person client contact.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs occasionally and navigate stairs; reasonable accommodations available.
• Exposure to individuals experiencing crisis; must be able to use de-escalation and follow safety protocols.

Compliance and clearances

• Background check, driving record check, and TB or health screening as required.
• Completion of agency trainings (trauma-informed care, mandated reporter, CPI/nonviolent crisis intervention, HMIS, safety).
• Adherence to HUD, JFS, HMIS, and agency documentation and privacy standards.

Compensation and benefits

Pay Grade: F

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, holidays, licensure supervision/CEU support

Equal employment opportunity

Bethany House Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and the families we serve. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Minimum qualifications

• Active Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in good standing in the state of Ohio
• Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or related field required; MSW preferred.
• Two or more years’ experience providing case management to families or children/youth in shelter, housing, or community-based settings.
• Demonstrated experience working with publicly and privately funded homelessness services and requirements.
• Experience coordinating with Job and Family Services (e.g., TANF/OWF, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare, workforce) and understanding of JFS processes and documentation.
• Formal training and practical application of trauma-informed care.
• Proficient with HMIS or similar databases, documentation standards, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally between sites, landlords, and partner agencies as needed.