Case Manager

DHS-ODR-ICMS Service Coordinator I, Care Coordinator.

REPORTS TO: DHS-ODR-ICMS Program Manager

HOURS: 40

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

SUMMARY:

The DHS-ODR-ICMS Service Coordinator will participate in the Intensive Case Management (ICMS) services funded by the Department of Health Services (DHS), Office of Diversion and Re-entry (ODR) toward the goal of assisting participants experiencing homelessness with achieving and maintaining optimal physical health, mental health, and housing stability. The participants are pre-trial defendants, who have alleged criminal felony cases. Through a partnership with the Superior Court, this position will provide case management services and linkage, supportive services and housing retention services. The ODR pretrial program attempts to resolve alleged criminal felony cases early and divert defendants into ODR Housing & Services with a grant of probation. Step Up on Second fully implements the Housing First and Harm Reduction models of service delivery.

DUTIES: The following reflects essential functions for this job but does not restrict other tasks, which may be assigned:

• Work with a diverse and marginalized group of participants, experiencing many barriers including homelessness, complex trauma, medical, and mental health and substance use.
• Evaluate participants to identify social, emotional, and economic factors which may interfere with attaining stability and optimum health. Obtain consents and authorizations for participants in the DHS-ODR-ICMS Program, as needed.
• Assist participants to access temporary housing, obtain permanent housing, and facilitate the move in process before and after move in.
• Meet face-to-face with participants once a week prior to obtaining housing, twice per month after participant has lived successfully in their housing for at least one year.
• case managers as needed with transport/accompany participant in your vehicle to unit searchers, viewing, lease signing and to various agencies.
• Assist participant with transportation/accompaniment to healthcare providers in the greater Los Angeles area and linkage to healthcare providers, and court appearances.
• Collaborate with each participant to develop creative, measurable service plans aimed at improving overall well-being and housing stability; review and update quarterly and upon completion of goals.
• Assist Participants with budgeting and housing household management, including cleaning, cooking, household upkeep and cleanliness, and non-hoarding behavior.
• Provide Participants with linkage to benefits establishment, and or vocational resources to increase income.
• Link participants with appropriate medical, mental health, substance abuse providers, as well as recuperative care, food, clothing and transportation resources.
• Provide advocacy and report progress reports to the court regarding client progress and engagement.
• Develop and maintain complete, accurate, and current files with all required documents and data in agency records and electronic databases, such as CHAMP and HMIS. Includes updates to changes in income and any demographic domain. Maintain confidentiality of participant files per HIPAA and all applicable guidelines.
• Complete initial Bio-Psycho-Social-Assessment (BPS) once and 5x5 and Acuity Index when completing re-assessment every 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
• Document services provided within 72 hours using G.I.R.P. format (Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan).
• Ensure services to participants are reflective of the “Whatever It Takes” model, which emphasizes customer choice, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and psycho-social rehabilitation.
• Use effective communication skills such as active and reflective listening to build rapport. Utilize appropriate motivational interviewing interventions to increase positive outcomes.
• Liaise with other providers within the agency, as well as outside providers to formulate strength-based strategies that focus on housing retention and general wellness.
• Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences and training as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS:

Experience working with homeless and chronically mentally ill population, crisis intervention, understanding and commitment to psychosocial/Recovery-Oriented philosophy, strong computer skills, ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team. Familiarity with and dedication to the Housing First and Harm Reduction models.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum of 2 years’ experience working with people who experience homelessness and or are diagnosed with a mental-illness or Social Work/Mental Health related bachelor's degree and minimum of 1 years' experience working with people who experience homelessness and or who are diagnosed with mental-illness in a community or housed setting necessary. Experience working with people who are involved with the judicial system preferred. The ability to work as a part of a team is crucial. Knowledge of issues facing program participants, (e.g. health, substance abuse, mental health, physical health, domestic abuse, child welfare, resources for undocumented person), excellent written and verbal communication skills, must be able to perform extensive charting, electronic data entry and documentation. Microsoft 365 Office is essential. Must have a California driver's license and insurance with a good driving record during employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:  Work with people experiencing homelessness whether on the streets, in shelters or other places of habitation or services, may present inherent challenges and difficulties such as: exposure to bed bugs or other infestations, unpleasant smells or odors, individuals who may have poor hygiene or unclean homes due to homelessness, mental health symptoms, or poverty.   Additionally, in working with our participants, employees may encounter instances of profanity, sexually explicit or derogatory language, or verbal or physical expressions of anger and trauma. Very rarely do these situations ever escalate to physical contact, and negative or derogatory communication patterns can often be negotiated successfully.   All direct care staff are provided adequate training to develop skills to deescalate crisis situations that may arise and Step Up has established procedural safeguards for all employees to mitigate (but not eliminate) these inherent risks of employment.

Please note: this position is part of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU721) Bargaining Unit.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Keyboard data entry required.

Step Up utilizes the principles of trauma-informed care and mental health recovery. These principles inform our Core Values of Hope, Wellness, Voice and Choice, Respect, and Collaborative Relationships. As representatives of Step Up, employees agree to adhere to these values in their interactions with participants, colleagues, supervisors, and associated community participants.

STEP UP CORE VALUES

HOPE – We believe all people have the capacity for positive growth and change. We use hope to inspire and motivate ourselves, our participants, our colleagues, and our community.

WELLNESS – We believe in promoting a culture that supports healthy and fulfilling lives. We use a supportive environment to foster well-being for ourselves, our participants, our colleagues, and our community.

VOICE AND CHOICE – We believe in the right to choose and be heard. We use voice and choice to create meaningful outcomes and empowerment for ourselves, our participants, our colleagues, and our community.

RESPECT – We believe in promoting interactions that are non-judgmental, transparent. We use respect to guide all of our words and actions with ourselves, our participants, our colleagues, and our community.

COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS – We believe in forming partnerships to share resources, knowledge, and experiences. We use collaborative relationships to strengthen accomplishments for ourselves, our participants, our colleagues, and our community.

Step Up is committed to providing quality services that adhere to the highest ethical standards and principles. All Step Up employees agree to adhere to the ethical policies and codes of conduct, as outlined in the Employee Handbook and those specified for this grant.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Experience:

• working with unhoused individuals: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 75% (Required)

Work Location: On the road