Case Manager and Coach for Homeless Recovery and Mental Health

Mental Health America of Los Angeles•Lancaster, CA

About The Position

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) is hiring a Personal Service Coordinator to work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team, providing street outreach, community-based case management, and linkage to independent permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. The role includes sustained outreach and engagement, developing individual mental health recovery plans, supporting members in securing and retaining housing, providing transportation and life-skills training, and mentoring and advocating for members as they pursue recovery goals. The coordinator provides services in the field, including members’ homes and locations where homeless individuals congregate. The position requires maintaining records and meeting documentation, billing, and quality-assurance requirements; participating in regular team meetings; and pursuing relevant ongoing training. The schedule is 35 hours per week and may include some evenings or weekends, with on-call cell phone services. The listed pay is $24.00 per hour; actual compensation may depend on experience and other factors permitted by law.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and at least one year of experience providing outreach or psychosocial rehabilitation-related services to homeless and/or disabled populations.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include some evenings or weekends and on-call cell phone services.
Ability to provide services in the field, including members’ homes and locations where homeless individuals congregate.
Ability to provide culturally and linguistically respectful and responsive interventions based on individuals’ cultural identities, within scope of license or clinical training.
Ability to maintain an empathetic perspective and creatively address barriers affecting individuals’ personal and community living.
Ability to work with individuals who present with urgent, multiple needs and challenging behavioral characteristics.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of evidence-based interventions, including motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and Housing First modalities.
Ability to function in a multidisciplinary, team-oriented approach in a fast-paced work environment.
Knowledge of characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed.
Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other technological and computer applications.
Current Class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, and ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance.
TB clearance and annual retesting as conditions of continued employment.
Employment verification directly from three past employers within the most recent seven-year period.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field preferred.
Bilingual applicants preferred.
Applicants with lived mental health experience preferred.
Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management, and linkage to independent permanent housing for homeless individuals.
Conduct intensive, sustained, and consistent outreach and engagement with individuals experiencing homelessness.
Develop and complete a mental health treatment recovery plan with each member, identifying personal goals and needs.
Help members overcome barriers to permanent housing, access funding, understand tenants’ rights, address housing concerns to avoid eviction, and retain housing through home visits and collaboration with property managers, developers, and other partners.
Transport individuals to referred services and accompany them on public transportation when needed.
Provide life-skills training in areas such as money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, household management, social and leisure activities, and employment or educational goals.
Mentor, advocate for, role-model for, and educate members within scope of practice to support their mental health recovery goals.
Participate in trainings, including DMH trainings and other learning opportunities, on interventions that may be effective with the population served.
Advocate for members in obtaining and retaining housing, health-care benefits, financial entitlements, and other resources.
Maintain records and documentation using technological resources, in accordance with agency standards and funding-source requirements.
Meet documentation and billing requirements, including 24-hour note entry, 48-hour note correction, monthly hours requirements, an 85-hour monthly billing goal, and timely completion of paperwork and quality-assurance items.
Participate actively in regular team meetings and proactively communicate member concerns.