Case Manager and Coach for Homeless Recovery and Mental Health

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Lancaster, CA

1d•Remote

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is a leading nonprofit mental health agency with a long history of service, advocacy, innovation, and training. MHALA aims to help individuals with mental health needs lead meaningful and healthy lives within their communities. As one of the largest mental health agencies in Los Angeles County, MHALA provides integrated services to over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually, focusing on mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with specialized programs for Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA also offers training for the behavioral health workforce and the general community on mental health topics. The agency prioritizes employee well-being, fostering a culture of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work-life balance, encouraging self-care and offering a 35-hour workweek. MHALA is committed to diversity and promotes a team-oriented culture with growth opportunities. They offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED with minimum one year of experience providing outreach psychosocial rehab related services to homeless and/or disabled population required
Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services.
Ability to provide all services in the field (member’s home, any other location where homeless individuals congregate).
Ability to provide interventions that are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individual’s needs based on their cultural identity within scope of license/clinical training.
Must be able to maintain an empathetic view for the dilemma of individuals in severe need and be able to juggle creatively and successfully around a variety of barriers that keep individuals from successful personal and community living.
Must possess a high level of appreciation and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues and problematic behavioral characteristics.
Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
Knowledgeable of evidence-based practices interventions such as: motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and housing first modalities.
Must function well in a multi-disciplinary team-oriented approach to member services in a fast-paced work environment.
Knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed.
Knowledgeable in technological and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human service or related field preferred
Bi-lingual applicants are preferred
Persons with lived mental health experience are preferred.
Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.
COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required; however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management and linkage to independent permanent housing to homeless individuals.
Provide outreach and engagement efforts to individuals that are homeless through an intensive, sustained and consistent process.
Develop and complete mental health treatment recovery plan with each member that identifies his/her personal goals and needs.
Provide case management support to members in all aspects of securing independent stable housing such as: assisting members with overcoming barriers to permanent housing, accessing funding, educating members on tenants’ rights, responding immediately to housing concerns to avoid eviction, conducting regular home visits and collaborating with property managers/developers and other partners to help member retain housing.
Provide transportation including transporting individuals to services to which they have been referred and accompanying people on public transportation to ensure the assistance needed to attain services.
Provide life skills training that assist individuals to gain, restore, improve or maintain daily independent living skills such as: money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, household management, developing social/leisure activities, employment/educational goals.
Support members by mentoring, advocating, role-modeling and providing education within scope of practice in efforts for members to reach their mental health recovery goals/objectives.
Be an active part of continued learning by participating in other trainings (DMH trainings and other sources) that introduce different interventions that could be an effective strategy with this population.
Advocate on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, financial entitlements, etc.
Maintains all records and documentation, utilizing various technological resources needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
Must meet all documentation and billing requirements, i.e., 24 hour note entry turnaround, 48 hour note correction turnaround time, and monthly hour’s requirement.
Must maintain billing goal of 85 hours billing monthly and any paperwork items due to maintain the care of member for the QA team and clear queue’s in a timely manner.
Active participation in regular team meetings with proactive communication around member concerns required.