Housing Solutions Case Manager - Continuity Support Specialist (4280)

MERCY HOUSE • Santa Ana, CA

1d • $25 - $26

About The Position

The Housing Solutions Case Manager is a member of the Permanent Housing Team and is required to participate in all stages of client service including ongoing needs assessments, individualized housing plans, support, information, referrals, and advocacy for individuals who are in the Mercy House Permanent Supportive Housing Program. This position will ensure that prospective clients are screened for all eligible services and provide residential services to the project that includes life skills workshops and community building events/activities. This position requires successful working relationships with residents that support their ability to increase their self-reliance. This position will influence and recognize positive behavior changes and will identify problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine residents’ self-reliance and housing stability. Keeping clear and accurate files and records is essential to this position. This position will ensure that the team is practicing trauma informed and client focused strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree, Social Work (or related field) with experience working in chemical health, mental health, co-occurring disorders is preferred
• Persons with less than a BA/BS degree but with at least 2 years of direct life experience working with long-term homeless, low income, and diverse populations and have a working knowledge of mental health and additional issues are welcome to apply
• A valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and a reliable vehicle is required. Comfortable with utilizing your own vehicle to conduct home visits, visiting clients at shelters, meeting clients out in the community etc.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse population; plan, organize and prioritize duties; speak effectively before small groups; perform crisis intervention as needed; clearly communicate information and instructions verbally and in written form; maintain a positive, professional and safe environment while on duty; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Dependability, responsibility and the ability to communicate effectively and respectfully are required skills
• Desired skills include organizational skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, strong creative thinking skills, attentiveness to details and being customer oriented
• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds at times
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in Spanish is of significant value

Responsibilities

• Maintain a minimum caseload of 17-30 individuals and engage regularly with residents to develop and monitor each individual’s housing plan based on housing assessment that addresses identified barriers, including short- and long-term measurable goals (goal is to meet with clients weekly or as needed)
• Utilize harm reduction interventions and methodologies to provide client-centered services to keep them in housing
• Utilize skills regarding crisis prevention and intervention
• Practice Trauma Informed Care when interacting with clients
• Implement Eviction Prevention strategies to support residents in need
• Assist residents to build upon their strengths and recognize their needs in a respectful manner
• Visit and inspect resident apartments to ensure that they are properly maintained
• Be knowledgeable of community resources and refer clients as needed
• Organize and facilitate social and recreational activities designed to promote community involvement and peer support
• Work with volunteers and community resources to assure that residents are linked with services such as employment, education, tutoring and/or mentoring as appropriate
• Attend trainings that increase knowledge of effectively meeting clients’ needs (including co-occurring disorders, harm reduction, and cultural competence)
• Facilitate relationship building between landlords/caretakers and residents
• Participate in the emergency on call schedule to ensure resident needs are met
• Assist residents with establishing individual and family goals and maintain safe, stable affordable housing
• Facilitate resident’s participation with credit counseling, computer training, financial literacy education and job search assistance to help them achieve greater levels of success in their lives
• Distribute focus group surveys and organize community building and/or other enrichment activities for residents based on responses and that meet the funding requirements for the project
• Coordinate life skills workshops on topics such as job search skills, parenting skills, time and stress management, health and wellness, and interpersonal relationship and communication skills
• Coordinate job readiness workshops to support residents in job search job skills development
• Provide residents with information about available services in the community
• Assist residents to access services through referral and advocacy
• Assist residents in building support networks with other residents, family and friends
• Design and coordinate holiday and community building events
• Create activity/event calendar and flyers to distribute to residents on a monthly basis
• Create newsletters highlighting events and activities held onsite and distribute to residents and project partners on a quarterly basis
• Maintain active involvement with neighbors and program partners
• Maintain active involvement with community service organizations
• Work in partnership with the property management team during the leasing and tenancy phases to promote 1) effective communication; 2) united service delivery and 3) a supportive community environment for all residents
• Work as a Mercy House team member with all staff and volunteers in order to implement the mission and core values of the agency
• Attend regular internal and external agency meetings
• Work as part of team to plan and develop resident programs
• Keep accurate, up to date documentation on all clients, including but not limited to individual housing plans, housing assessments case notes, case files etc.
• Complete all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner that ensures payment to the project and agency from various sources
• Assist with any and all data collection systems
• Willingness to gain knowledge and understanding of Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services and Substance Abuse Treatments
• Other duties, as assigned

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees