Case Manager for Homeless Housing Outreach Mental Health Services

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Long Beach, CA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is a leading nonprofit mental health agency dedicated to helping individuals with mental health needs lead meaningful and healthy lives. As one of the largest comprehensive 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. The agency also offers training programs for the behavioral health workforce and the community. MHALA emphasizes a supportive work environment with core values of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work-life balance, encouraging self-care and offering a 35-hour workweek. The agency fosters diversity and a team-oriented culture with opportunities for growth, providing a competitive salary and a full benefits package, including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of one year of experience providing psychosocial rehab related services to a disabled population required.
Must possess a high level of tolerance, patience, and understanding for individuals who present for services with multiple needs, issues, and problematic behavioral characteristics in a busy and unstructured work atmosphere.
Must be able to demonstrate the ability to develop, nurture and maintain good community relations on behalf of the organization.
Knowledgeable of the harm reduction philosophy and effective in the practice motivational interviewing.
Must meet target billing and productivity goal(s) - 85 hours a month for full time staff.
Must demonstrate a “safety first” mentality and engage in practices that promote a safe, healthful environment for all program participants, staff and visitors and providing the best care, welfare, safety and security for everyone at MHALA.
All required data collection documents (as applicable to TAY FSP and OCS program) are submitted on time.
Knowledge of community resources, housing, social security and general relief systems and ability to navigate within these systems.
Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services and fast-paced environment.
Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
Knowledgeable in 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.
Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ICMS (Intensive Case Management Services) and PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) is highly recommended but not required.
Familiarity with housing resources, support services, and the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability is a plus.
Experience with individuals who use substances and may benefit from harm reduction approaches, including motivational interviewing and low-barrier engagement; familiarity with community-based substance use resources.
Experience collaborating with housing teams, landlords, or community partners to address client housing barriers is beneficial.
Bachelor’s degree in a human related field preferred.
Valid CPR 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.

Responsibilities

Outreach, assess and engage potential members for HSSP (Housing Supportive Service Programs) FSP-ICM services.
Assist individuals in finding and accessing requested services through the application of intensive case management services.
Assist members in transitioning to appropriate levels of care or services as needed on the bases on psycho-social rehabilitation model of treatment and services.
Outreach and Engage and enroll new members who are referred to our program.
Develop a Recovery Plan and/or Personal Service Plan with each member that identifies his/her personal needs and goals.
Mediate and advocate on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements etc.
Visit members in their place of residence, hospital or jail on an as-needed basis, in order to help them live successfully and to prevent them from becoming homeless.
Transport members to appointments and on errands when appropriate.
Oversee and monitor members’ individual and group activities both inside the program and out in the community. Provide coaching, counseling, mentoring, instruction, training, feedback and positive reinforcement for members in areas such as money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation and other independent living skills.
Devise and implement strategies for outreach to members who tend to isolate themselves.
Provide timely information and feedback to team leader with regard to emergent staff, team or participant issues.
Assist members and the team in achieving community integration, education and employment goals.
Participate in staff and community meetings and in the day-to-day operations of the program as needed.
Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, County Contracted Provider, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in required program, including 24-hour turnaround time.
Provide housing-related support to members in emergencies or when the ICMS Housing Team is unavailable. Responsibilities may include assisting with urgent housing applications, gathering documentation, and coordinating with housing providers, while maintaining a primary focus on mental health services.