Lead Case Manager jobs in Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles Community Health Project (CHPLA) is a program of Heluna Health. CHPLA’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by substance use in Los Angeles, to increase access to health care, empower people to protect themselves, and educate each other to reduce harm in our communities. CHPLA combines direct services, advocacy, outreach, education, and research collaborations to fulfill this mission. Community Health Project Los Angeles was founded in 1992.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) is a community-based diversion approach with the goals of improving public safety, and reducing unnecessary justice system involvement of people who participate in the program. In a LEAD program, law enforcement officers exercise discretionary authority at point of contact to divert individuals to a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs. In lieu of the traditional criminal justice system cycle -- booking, detention, prosecution, conviction, incarceration -- individuals are instead referred into a trauma-informed, harm reduction intensive case-management program where the individual receives a wide range of support services. Prosecutors and law enforcement work closely with case managers to ensure that all contacts with LEAD participants going forward, including new criminal prosecutions for other offenses, are coordinated with the service plan for the participant to maximize the opportunity to achieve behavioral change. There are certain core principles to LEAD that are essential to achieve transformative outcomes. These include LEAD’s harm reduction/Housing First framework, which requires a focus on individual and community wellness, rather than an exclusive focus on sobriety; and the need for rank and file police officers and sergeants to be meaningful partners in program design and operations.

The LEAD Case Manager reports to the CHPLA’s Director of Client Services. The Case Manager position will provide field based intensive case management services to participants of LACHP harm reduction programming. The Case Manager will provide direct services to assigned clients (approximately 20 case load), and coordinate care by meeting with clients regularly, assessing needs and facilitating access to appropriate resources. The Case Manager must develop and maintain positive collaborative relationships with community partners, and other service providers in order to best serve their clients.

This is a full time, benefitted position (40 hours per week).

The pay rate for this position is $25.00 per hour.

Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• She/he will be recruiting and meeting with clients to establish a working relationship and explain offered services.
• At time of screening/intake assess and address emergent/immediate needs of client including need for medical care, shelter, food and clothing, harm reduction services/supplies.
• Assess client need in regards to substance use, mental health, medical care, housing and employment to determine specific service needs.
• Assist clients in identifying appropriate housing/shelter and maintaining occupancy. 
• Develop and implement with client input an Individual Service Plan (ISP), which addresses client needs and goals including shelter, food, clothing, health care, substance use treatment or harm reduction strategies, education/training and employment resources.
• Update ISP periodically to reflect client’s progress towards or attainment of articulated goals and the emergence of client needs; assist the client in developing their own autonomy.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationship with community partners and other service providers including substance use treatment/MAT providers, mental health providers, housing resources, and primary healthcare.
• Enter data into CHAMP system within 24-48 hours of client contact.
• Provide structured Intensive Case Management Services consistent with harm reduction principles.
• Assist clients in scheduling and keeping appointments, including providing transportation to and from appointments.
• Advocate for the client with a wide variety of other service providers.
• Assist clients in gaining entry into service programs.
• Develop a network of housing resources and assist the client in gaining access to appropriate housing.
• Identify gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocate for systemic changes.
• Attend Case Management staff meetings and other required meetings.
• Develop and maintain client files and other necessary reporting for assigned caseload according to contract requirements.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Client Services

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience linking people to housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment preferred.
• Experience or fieldwork serving people who use drugs, people at-risk for overdose, and/or vulnerable populations.
• Experience writing curricula preferred.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions
• Successful background check clearance.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Understanding of substance use and harm reduction strategies.
• Demonstrated passion for serving the chronically homeless population with co-occurring disorders.
• Understanding and willingness to take a hard reduction approach
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook,); high level of initiative and willingness to stay current with technology required to complete work assignments.
• Ability to prioritize and self-manage workload and activities in order to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Dependable, able to work under pressure, receptive to change, willingness to learn, with a cooperative approach to problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds; effective tact and diplomacy skills.
• Basic clerical skills, including typing, ability to proof read own work; good grammar and spelling skills.
• Flexible team player.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work very independently and seek supervision when appropriate.
• Ability to set boundaries, resolves conflict, and de-escalates issues.
• Willingness to utilize own vehicle or company vehicle to conduct business and provide transportation for participants

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Include a resume and a cover letter with the online job application.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand                                      Frequently

Walk                                       Frequently

Sit                                           Frequently

Handling / Fingering            Occasionally

Reach Outward                    Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder      Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry                              Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull                               Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

See                                         Constantly

Taste/ Smell                          Not Applicable