Case Manager - Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project (YHDP)

Homes With Hope•Westport, CT

About The Position

The YHDP Case Manager at Homes with Hope, Inc. supports community-based young adult households in achieving increased stability and self-reliance through comprehensive case management and supportive services. The role delivers individualized counseling and coordinated casework to households at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness, helping them transition into and maintain housing in the community. The position provides case management and housing-retention support to newly housed young adult families and individuals. Services may include crisis intervention, help addressing conflicts and housing concerns, landlord/tenant support, life-skills development, strengthening community support systems, and connecting households with community resources. Additional assistance may include transportation, food, clothing, furniture, and referrals to financial assistance and other programs. Home visits and on-site individual meetings are required and scheduled according to client needs. The Case Manager provides tenant education and counseling regarding timely rent payments and lease obligations, identifies issues that may threaten housing stability, and helps address them early. The role maintains organized files and timely data entry in HMIS and/or other data systems; participates in training related to best practices and Coordinated Access Network (CAN) system improvement; collaborates with the CAN YHDP team and participating members of Opening Doors Fairfield County; and attends relevant meetings. This is a community-based position that organizationally reports to agency staff, with CAN programmatic support provided by the Manager of Housing Solutions. Other duties may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, three years of experience providing homeless services, or shared lived experience is preferred.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly develop competency with, homelessness-related issues and effective intervention techniques.
Basic understanding of mental health and substance abuse issues.
Knowledge of community resources.
Ability to work effectively with people who have experienced vulnerability, trauma, economic poverty, incarceration, substance use, developmental delays, compromised mental wellness, brain injuries, literacy and numeracy issues, and/or other conditions or situations affecting housing stability.
Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including telephone communication.
Ability to work independently and in a group and maintain good working relationships with organizational staff and partners.
Valid driver’s license and daily use of a reliable, properly registered, and insured motor vehicle.
Strong computer skills.
Adherence to professional standards and ethical practices, including maintaining healthy boundaries and professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and others.

Nice To Haves

Shared lived experience is preferred.
Three years of experience providing homeless services is listed as a preferred qualification.

Responsibilities

Provide case management services to newly housed young adult families and individuals.
Deliver crisis intervention for issues threatening physical safety or housing security and stability.
Identify and address housing, personal, or other conflicts that could lead to housing instability.
Support landlord/tenant relations and build clients’ life skills.
Help households develop and maintain positive natural support systems in their communities and access community resources.
Provide additional assistance as needed, including transportation, food, clothing, furniture, and referrals to financial assistance and other community programs.
Conduct home visits and on-site individual meetings according to client needs.
Provide support services that help households maintain housing successfully.
Educate and counsel tenants on timely rent payments and fulfilling lease obligations to support housing retention.
Identify and assist with issues that could threaten housing stability.
Maintain organized files and enter data into HMIS and/or other data systems in a timely manner.
Participate in trainings related to best practices and CAN system improvement, including topics such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, HMIS, and domestic violence.
Collaborate with the CAN YHDP team and participating members of Opening Doors Fairfield County.
Attend meetings as necessary, including statewide rapid re-housing, Fairfield County team, and housing solution meetings.
Perform other duties as required.