Service Coord I Care Coordinator ODR ICMS

Step Up•Los Angeles, CA

16h•$26 - $27

About The Position

The DHS-ODR-ICMS Service Coordinator participates in Intensive Case Management Services funded by the Department of Health Services’ Office of Diversion and Re-entry. The role supports participants experiencing homelessness in achieving and maintaining physical health, mental health, and housing stability. Participants are pre-trial defendants with alleged felony cases. In partnership with the Superior Court, the coordinator provides case management, linkage, supportive services, and housing retention services. The program seeks to resolve alleged felony cases early and divert defendants into ODR Housing & Services with a grant of probation. Step Up on Second uses Housing First and Harm Reduction models of service delivery. The position works with participants facing barriers such as homelessness, complex trauma, medical and mental health needs, and substance use. The coordinator assists with temporary and permanent housing, healthcare access, court appearances, benefits, vocational resources, and connections to community services. The position requires regular participant meetings, transportation and accompaniment in the employee’s vehicle, service planning, documentation, collaboration with providers and courts, and participation in supervision, meetings, case conferences, and training. This is a 40-hour, non-exempt position reporting to the DHS-ODR-ICMS Program Manager. It is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721) Bargaining Unit. Work may involve challenging conditions and interactions associated with homelessness, mental health symptoms, poverty, and trauma. Staff receive training in crisis de-escalation, and the agency has procedural safeguards to mitigate workplace risks.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness and/or people diagnosed with mental illness; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in social work or a mental-health-related field and at least 1 year of experience working with these populations in a community or housed setting.
Experience working with people involved with the judicial system is preferred.
Ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Knowledge of issues facing program participants, including health, substance use, mental health, physical health, domestic abuse, child welfare, and resources for undocumented people.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry, and documentation.
Microsoft 365 Office skills.
California driver’s license, insurance, and a good driving record maintained during employment.
Strong computer skills and ability to provide crisis intervention.
Understanding of and commitment to a psychosocial and recovery-oriented philosophy.
Familiarity with and dedication to Housing First and Harm Reduction models.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with people involved with the judicial system.

Responsibilities

Work with participants experiencing homelessness and barriers including complex trauma, medical and mental health needs, and substance use.
Assess social, emotional, and economic factors that may affect participant stability and health, and obtain program consents and authorizations as needed.
Assist participants in accessing temporary housing, obtaining permanent housing, and completing move-in processes before and after housing placement.
Meet face-to-face with participants weekly before they obtain housing and twice monthly after they have lived successfully in housing for at least one year.
Provide transportation and accompaniment in the employee’s vehicle for housing searches, viewings, lease signings, agency appointments, healthcare providers, and court appearances as needed.
Collaborate with participants on measurable service plans to improve well-being and housing stability, and review and update plans quarterly and when goals are completed.
Assist participants with budgeting and household management, including cleaning, cooking, upkeep, cleanliness, and non-hoarding behavior.
Connect participants with benefits and vocational resources to increase income.
Link participants to medical, mental health, and substance use providers, recuperative care, food, clothing, and transportation resources.
Advocate for participants and report progress and engagement to the court.
Maintain complete, accurate, current participant files and records in agency systems and electronic databases, including CHAMP and HMIS; update income and demographic information and protect confidentiality under HIPAA and applicable guidelines.
Complete the initial Bio-Psycho-Social Assessment and complete the 5x5 and Acuity Index during reassessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Document services within 72 hours using the GIRP format: Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan.
Deliver services consistent with the “Whatever It Takes” model, including participant choice, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Use active and reflective listening and appropriate motivational interviewing interventions to build rapport and support positive outcomes.
Coordinate with agency and external providers on strength-based strategies for housing retention and general wellness.
Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences, and required training.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Adhere to Step Up’s core values and principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery in interactions with members, colleagues, supervisors, and community members.