Coming Home Housing Specialist (Case Manager)

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Job description

Overview:
Program Description

The Coming Home Program assists participants during the initial period of placement in permanent housing, a critically fragile period for people who have been homeless. It helps participants become solidly integrated in their community and develop a network of permanent, community-based connections to sustain them overtime. These intensive stabilization services help clients make these connections, relearn the skills of community living, and develop reliable sources of support. Services are provided for up to one year from the move-in date.

The Coming Home Housing Specialist will be assigned to the Wintonia Apartments, a permanent supportive housing program within a housing first and harm reduction model. Wintonia is a 92 unit single resident occupancy (SRO) serving very low income disabled individuals who were deemed homeless and vulnerable at time of application. Individuals are generally also alcohol dependent with or without serious physical and/or mental health impairments. Referrals to the Wintonia are primarily from Dutch Shisler Sobering Center.

Position Description

The Coming Home Housing Stabilization Specialist (HSS) will act as the primary case manager for the first year of tenancy. After the initial year the resident and file will be transferred to the on-site case manager. This position provides case management and partners with other service providers to achieve housing stability in an environment that promotes individual dignity and respect.

This position's work schedule consistent one weekend day to ensure there is case management coverage on the weekends (Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday)

Responsibilities:
Case Management:

Complete new resident intake and case management plans. Assess resident needs and required level of services, identifying community resources to meet those needs, facilitate residents' access to services and advocate for residents on a continuing basis.

Initiate ongoing engagement with resident through intensive outreach, activities, groups or other events that promote a healthy community

Provide case management to residents. Assess resident needs and with the resident create a plan to meet those needs. This may include finding community resources, facilitating resident access to services, and advocating for residents on a persistent basis to ensure consistent delivery of service. Case management services to residents include, but are not limited to, accessing financial and health benefits, primary health care, mental health treatment, chemical dependency counseling, chore service, protective payee, transportation, food stamps and legal services.

Create and maintain documentation of services and service plans in resident files and online HMIS reporting. This will include resident contracts, referrals and interactions in case notes.

Collaborate with resident on the Alcohol Management Program to create an alcohol distribution plan that best fits residents' needs.

Assist resident with tracking of appointments and transportation; as well as accompanying residents when appropriate to appointments.

Make home visits to resident's apartments to ensure resident welfare and to confirm the apartment is in a safe state and in compliance with all city and federal housing quality standards.

Supportive Services/Resident Relations:

Work with the entire team to keep residents in housing through individual conversations with residents, Care Conferences, advocating for additional services for residents and other creative strategies to keep residents in housing.

Assist with the scheduling and coordination of services of visiting professionals, including public health and visiting nurses, mental health counselors, chemical dependency counselors and chore worker.

Other:

Maintain regular, scheduled office hours.

Attend trainings required of employees and supervisory meetings as scheduled.

Assist with front desk coverage as needed.

Represent Coming Home Program (Wintonia) in service provider meetings or events, advocacy groups, coalitions, etc.

Cultivate and support a positive team-oriented work environment by responding to all emails, assisting team members and communicating clearly any information that may be beneficial for the program team to know.

Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

JOB CONDITIONS

This position requires the employee to work in an environment where there may be exposure to blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious material. Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance. Working conditions may include interruptions, interactions, working alone, and interactions with angry persons.

Qualifications:
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ACUITY DEMANDS:

The requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Able to ascend descend stairs quickly to move from one floor to the other in order to respond to emergency situations.

Able to stand, kneel or courch.

Able to lift loads not normally exceeding 50 pounds and able to support up to 100 pounds.

Able to hear telephone rings, phone conversation, door bells, emergency alarms and face-to-face conversation.

Able to speak clearly in person and on the telephone.

Able to hand write eligibly.

Able to read normal size print and handwritten log entries.

Able to sit for sustained periods of time.

Mobility/dexterity of hands/arms to enable keying into a unit or othere aras as well as using office equipment.

Able to make independent decisions and apply sound judgemant in performing job duties.

Regularly able to perform duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualifications which applicants must possess to be considered for this position.

Minimum two years' work experience working with homeless, drug addicted and/or mentally ill adults.

Demonstrated skills in problem solving, issue assessment and crisis intervention with ability to maintain client records.

Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing while maintaining a professional and positive demeanor.

Experience working in residential facility or an understanding of residential settings.

Basic computer skills with ability to maintain client records, produce community resource information flyers and informational materials.

Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment and working as part of a multidisciplinary program.

Demonstrate experience and knowledge of mental health, domestic abuse, drug/alcohol addictions, crisis intervention and other issues related to homelessness.

Ability to support and uphold the mission, beliefs and values of Catholic Community Services and Catholic Housing Services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

BA degree in Social Service or related field.

Experience in crisis intervention and ability to maintain a professional demeanor.

Knowledge of local social services relevant to low income, homeless, drug addicted and/or mentally ill adults.