Shelter Case Manager (Ohio, LSW)

BETHANY HOUSE SERVICES INC•Cincinnati, OH

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Bethany House Services is seeking a compassionate, organized, and trauma-informed Case Manager to support families experiencing homelessness in our residential shelter. The Case Manager will carry a caseload of 12–15 families and provide comprehensive, strengths-based, and housing-focused services that promote safety, stability, and long-term self-sufficiency. The ideal candidate is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) with experience working with families, public and private funded programs, and Job and Family Services (JFS) systems.

Requirements

Active Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in good standing in the state of Ohio
Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) or related field required
One or more years’ experience providing case management to families or children/youth in shelter, housing, or community-based settings.
Demonstrated experience working with publicly and privately funded homelessness services and requirements.
Experience coordinating with Job and Family Services (e.g., TANF/OWF, SNAP, Medicaid, childcare, workforce) and understanding of JFS processes and documentation.
Formal training and practical application of trauma-informed care.
Proficient with HMIS or similar databases, documentation standards, and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and ability to travel locally between sites, landlords, and partner agencies as needed.

Nice To Haves

MSW preferred.
Two or more years’ experience providing case management to families or children/youth in shelter, housing, or community-based settings.
Knowledge of Coordinated Entry, VI-SPDAT/other housing assessments, and local Continuum of Care processes.
Familiarity with fair housing laws, reasonable accommodations, VAWA protections, and landlord-tenant basics.
Experience with motivational interviewing, de-escalation, and evidence-based parenting or child-wellbeing curricula.
Experience with benefits advocacy and employment navigation (e.g., workforce boards, WIOA partners).

Responsibilities

Conduct timely biopsychosocial and housing assessments using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach.
Develop individualized service plans with clear, measurable goals related to housing, income, health, education, and family well-being.
Assess safety and basic needs; coordinate immediate supports and referrals.
Assist clients in determining family needs in all areas, including, but not limited to crisis intervention, employment, education, financial health, access to physical and mental health services, and other identified circumstances.
Implement case management plans and strategies to reduce shelter length of stay and secure safe, affordable, and appropriate housing.
Assist the Housing Specialist with landlord engagement, unit search, applications, reasonable accommodations, inspections, and move-in coordination.
Coordinate and monitor client financial assistance per program guidelines (e.g., deposit, utilities, rental arrears, prevention/rapid rehousing where applicable).
Navigate shelter funded programs and requirements (e.g., ESG, eligibility, documentation, habitability, HQS coordination).
Coordinate with external partners for benefits access, maintenance, resources (e.g., TOWF, SNAP, Medicaid, Child Care, PRC), employment supports, and child welfare collaboration as appropriate.
Advocate for families within public systems; ensure compliance with eligibility and documentation standards.
Connect families to behavioral health care, primary care, DV/SA services, early childhood/education supports, legal aid, transportation, and other community resources.
Stay informed of local resources, services and partnerships available to clients and actively seek new resources and partnerships that benefit clients.
Collaborate with Family Services Department in aligning support from schools, childcare providers, and youth services to minimize educational disruption and support developmental needs.
Collaborate closely with the Parent & Child Coordinator in Family Services to provide educational and wrap-around resources and guidance.
Encourage clients to enroll in life-skills classes workshops for family members.
Apply trauma-informed care principles (safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, empowerment) in all interactions and documentation.
Utilize motivational interviewing, de-escalation, critical time intervention (CTI) and strengths-based approaches to engage caregivers and children.
Maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold confidentiality and client rights.
Maintain an active caseload of 12–15 families, meeting agency productivity and contact standards including at least one 30-minute 1:1 with clients once per week.
Provide families who have exited the shelter program with limited follow-up services and support through the BHS post-shelter support program and Aftercare.
Complete timely, accurate documentation in HMIS and agency EHR per HUD, JFS, and agency policies.
Actively work to maintain appropriate documentation and conduct monthly file (peer) reviews.
Track outcomes and contribute to continuous quality improvement and performance metrics.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferencing, and coordinated entry processes.
Support shelter policies related to safety, crisis response, critical incident reporting, infection control, and responding to concerns written in the SA daily shift report.
Proactively collaborate with coworkers, participants, and others by the sharing of ideas and resources constructively and positively.
Provide on-call or after-hours support on a rotating basis, as assigned.
Background check, driving record check, and TB or health screening as required.
Completion of agency trainings (trauma-informed care, mandated reporter, CPI/nonviolent crisis intervention, HMIS, safety).
Adherence to HUD, JFS, HMIS, and agency documentation and privacy standards.