Veteran Community Case Manager

One80 Place•Columbia, SC

18h

About The Position

The Veteran Community Case Manager conducts outreach activities and provides community-based case management to Veterans experiencing literal homelessness who may be in the following settings: encampments, on the street, places not meant for human habitation, etc. Through outreach and case management support, these Veterans are assisted in resolving their immediate basic needs, assessed for possible placement in VA homeless programs, emergency shelter, connected to coordinated entry and establishing a housing plan. The Veteran Community Case Manager will use housing first, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches to service delivery. They will maintain the client relationship until the individual is safely housed and follow-up is then transferred to a Supportive Services for Veterans and Families (SSVF) housing case manager or terminated if the Veteran chooses not to continue services. The Veteran Community Case Manager must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of me, be comfortable working for long periods in homeless encampments and other areas where people experiencing homelessness congregate and may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, etc. The Veteran Community Case Manager position is funded in whole by the VA through One80 Place’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. The Outreach Coordinator will dedicate 100% of their time on Veterans and their families served by the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program. Preference will be given to Veteran applicants. One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in Columbia.

Requirements

Is passionate about ending and preventing homelessness.
Requires knowledge and belief in “Housing First” philosophy and strategies.
Ability to provide trauma informed services and utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction principles.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with a degree in in human services related field, or minimum three years related experience, including lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent computer skills including basic office programs and the ability to learn and utilize the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.
Ability to work independently and as part of a fast-paced team.
Ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
Valid driver’s license and use of reliable transportation for outreach and housing navigation activities.
Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served.
A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
Willing to travel to throughout the seven-county Lowcountry Continuum of Care service area.

Responsibilities

Provide targeted street outreach, assuring appropriate geographic coverage, to communities within the CoC service area to identify unsheltered individuals living in encampments, on the street, or places not meant for human habitation, etc.
Work with clients to complete the CoC assessment and prioritization tool to provide them access to services in a streamlined way, have their strengths and needs assessed and provide quick connections to housing and other services (Coordinated Entry (CE)).
Ensure that encounters and interactions are respectful and responsive to the beliefs and practices, cultural preferences, and linguistic needs of all individuals.
Develop and maintain knowledge of resources, and services available to participants.
Deliver high quality crisis intervention and seek appropriate support to assist in difficult or emergency client situations.
Assist in developing housing plans and make connections to stable housing with tailored services and support based on client choice, such as health and behavioral health care, transportation, access to benefits, and more.
Perform warm handoffs to shelter, housing, and other service provider staff once housing has been obtained (e.g., outreach staff may offer to physically accompany the individual to appointments to provide support).
Utilize problem-solving techniques to identify strengths and existing support networks, explore possible safe housing options outside the homelessness service system, such as reunification with family, and connect the individual to community supports and services.
Work in collaboration with other One80 Place team members and community providers to remove barriers to permanent housing: e.g., acquisition of identification, legal services, benefits assistance, assistance in obtaining income (SSI/SSD), etc.
Ensure timely and accurate HMIS data entry and maintenance and complete annual and update training requirements for HMIS.
Attend and participate in internal staff meetings and with partner agencies to effectively coordinate service delivery for clients engaged through outreach.
Participates in agency events such as the annual Homeless Point in Time Count.
Other dues as assigned.