Case Manager, Reception & Placement - Houston, TX

Church World Service•Houston, TX

29d•Hybrid

About The Position

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home. Reception & Placement Program Description: Refugees selected for resettlement through U.S. Refugee Admissions Program are eligible for Reception and Placement (R&P) assistance. the R&P Program provides initial support over a period of 30 to 90 days to help refugees begin their new lives in the United States. R&P Case Manager Position Overview: R&P Case Manager provides intensive case management and direct services throughout the initial 30 to 90-day R&P program service period. R&P Case Manager maintains regular, ongoing communication with newly arriving refugee and immigrant clients.

Requirements

BA degree or equivalent professional experience in lieu of degree.
3 years of previous work experience with refugee or immigrant-related services, or in social services.
Ability to maintain regular ongoing communication with program coordination staff, newly arriving refugee individuals/families, local service providers, etc.
Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Self- starter with excellent analytical skills combined with the demonstrated ability to multi-task, prioritize duties, and work efficiently.
Fluent in English, both spoken and written; preferred bilingual ability in primary caseload language for assigned ethnic community group such as Pashto, Dari, Russian and/or Ukrainian.
Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable vehicle with current insurance, ability to drive an Us Together passenger van preferred.
The job will require reference checks, standard criminal background checks, and motor vehicle background checks.

Responsibilities

Assist program coordination team with initial housing arrangements for new R&P arrivals within assigned ethnic community groups; this includes housing agreements, furniture delivery, utility setups, etc.
Maintain regular, ongoing communication with US-ties/anchors for newly arrived individuals/families within assigned ethnic community groups.
Manage any/all airport pickups and initial home visits for new R&P arrivals within assigned ethnic community groups.
Ensure new R&P arrivals within assigned ethnic community groups have access to food and other household items as well as appropriate clothing (seasonal) as needed.
Provide transportation for clients/cases within assigned ethnic community groups to and from scheduled appointments with local service provider; this includes public benefit appointments, health/medical screenings, school enrollments, job interviews etc.
Provide in-depth cultural orientation on required core concepts as needed for new R&P arrivals within assigned ethnic community groups.
Assist program coordination team towards facilitating any/all program referrals, including intensive case management, employment services, English language training, etc.
Ensure clients know and understand agency working hours, thoroughly explaining what they can do if an emergency or serious issue arises when we are not working.
Continue to follow-up with clients on a regular basis to ensure basic needs are being met – enough food, rent money, employment opportunities, immunizations, acculturation, etc.
Manage 90-day R&P program period tracking for each case, required reporting, and case completion/closeout standards of procedures (final check requests, exit interview, exit case budget, any/all signatures needed, etc.)
Track any/all financial expenditures and in-kind donations provided to clients/cases within assigned ethnic community groups; this includes obtaining signatures on receipts / tracking forms.
Work directly with volunteers and interns to provide service opportunities to our clients and enhance the services provided.
Assist program coordination team with other assigned projects/initiatives as needed; for example, donation drives/fundraisers, data collections/filing, etc.
Serve as cultural liaison within assigned ethnic community groups; provide background for program coordination team on cultural norms/practices and required program services/case management for clients/cases; facilitate regular, ongoing communication with agency, clients/cases, and ethnic community.
Maintain regular, ongoing service delivery documentation and corresponding case note activity logs as a part of required case-file documentation for assigned clients/cases, update IRIS case management database accordingly.
Assist program coordinators with applications/forms for public benefits, social security cards, school registration, and other required documentation needed by local service provider referrals.
Assist program coordination team with any/all fund requests related to financial expenditures.