Intensive Case Manager/Resident Service Coordinator for Mental Health Housing Services

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Long Beach, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities. MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County, supporting over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services in areas like mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth. MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues. The agency fosters a culture of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work/life balance, encouraging self-care with a 35-hour workweek and promoting diversity and growth opportunities. Under the general supervision of the Program Manager, this role provides high quality Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) to clients eligible for permanent housing through the Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH) Housing for Health (HFH) and other programs. It also serves as support for housing case management services at a Long Beach Project Base site and for residents on-site at Beacon Pointe Project Base community to provide services that foster community integration through group activities and community events.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED with a minimum 1 year of experience providing psychosocial rehab related services to a disabled population
Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
Be able to learn and utilize Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Electronic Health Records Systems (EHR)
Have experience working with clients with mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders
Have expertise in the following areas: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
Ability to maintain a caseload ratio of one (1) full-time equivalent intensive case manager to 20 to 25 clients with a VI-SPDAT of 1 or 2
Flexible work schedule to include some early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays
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
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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor degree in a human service or related field

Responsibilities

Assist individuals at every stage of the housing stabilization process including flexible services to meet the individual needs of clients
Outreach and engagement including processing referrals from Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH), Coordinated Entry System (CES) partners and other Housing for Health (HFH) partners, establish rapport with clients, provide a “screening in” philosophy, conduct a face-to-face screenings, obtain consents, and linkages to other needed providers and services
Conduct intake and enrollment activities with eligible clients, assist clients with other program eligibility documentation, complete project intake forms, authorization and enroll into ICMS
Assist with temporary housing referrals until permanent housing can be secured
Ensure all documentation is prepared and entered into appropriate systems on a monthly basis
Assist at all levels of move-in to permanent housing, assist clients to become document ready, assist with all applications and paperwork, coordinate client move-in and orient new tenants to their unit/building
Assist clients with access to services and address their immediate needs, conduct HSH-approved comprehensive psychosocial assessments, develop and implement individualized case management services plan in collaboration with and authorized by the client based on the client’s comprehensive assessments and reassessments. The service plan shall address the clients’ needs, goals, steps to reach goals, timeframes for completing goals, and disposition of each goal as it is met or changed
Assist clients with obtaining income and/or establishing benefits, with locating and securing employment and volunteer and/or educational activities, assist with basic needs, life skills, community participation, improving and/or maintaining daily independent living skills, social/leisure, personal hygiene skills, budgeting and money management, legal issues and making appropriate referrals to overcome barriers to accessing and obtaining permanent housing, and provide transportation as needed
Complete all paperwork in compliance with applicable laws, professional licensure requirements, in accordance with MHALA, CHAMP and LACDMH County Contracted Provider standards and funding source requirements, and documents in EHR, including 24-hour turnaround documentation
Develop, implement and explain a comprehensive orientation (including behavior, condition of lease/building rules) that explains roles and responsibilities of Property Management and PSC/RSC for new residents of Beacon Pointe
Maintain day to day residents’ and building logistics
Be present and available on-site for residents and building maintenance
Create and maintain annual housing documents and updates
Maintain a separate electronic chart on each participant which includes; service plan focused on maintaining housing and the development of community supports, mental health provider contact information, documentation, progress notes and any other information pertinent to the member’s residency within 24 hours
Be knowledgeable of community services and supports including, but not limited to health care, childcare, alcohol and other substance abuse treatment, education and employment services, self-help groups and any other local community resource. Coordinates with tenants as needed linkage to these supports that are essential for achieving and maintaining independent living, if not otherwise provided through the primary service provider
Conduct ongoing assessments/ evaluations to monitor progress and provide appropriate interventions as needed, including coordination with the Personal Service Coordinator or other mental health service provider
Create, update and maintain the tenant’s service plan annually for all units
Act as a liaison among the property management company, the tenant and the primary mental health provider, housing authority, Veterans Affairs, substance abuse provider, primary care physician and other service providers to facilitate the communication of concerns that could jeopardize the tenant’s residency
Provide life skills training which includes, but is not limited to, integration in the community, housekeeping, and being a good neighbor
Required to enter notes into the Electronic Health Record within 24 business hour period
Maintains all records and documentation needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements including but not limited to recovery plans, progress notes, assessments, and outcome measurements