Case Manager and Coach for DMH Homeless Recovery and Mental Health Services

About the Organization

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities. MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County, supporting over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. The agency achieves impact in mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues. The agency fosters a culture of communication, collaboration, transparency, and work/life balance, offering a 35-hour workweek. MHALA promotes diversity, teamwork, and growth opportunities, with a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off.

About the Role

Under the general supervision of a program manager, you will outreach, assess, and engage potential members for MHALA ISC services. You will assist individuals in finding and accessing requested services through intensive case management, helping members transition to appropriate levels of care based on the psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment.

Responsibilities

• Engage and enroll new members.
• Develop a Recovery Plan with each member that identifies their personal needs and goals.
• Mediate and advocate on behalf of members to help them obtain and keep housing, healthcare benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Visit members in their place of residence, hospital, or jail as needed to help them live successfully and prevent homelessness.
• Transport members to appointments and errands when appropriate.
• Observe members’ individual and group activities both inside the program and in the community, providing coaching, counseling, mentoring, and feedback in areas such as money management, grooming, hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, and other independent living skills.
• Devise and implement outreach strategies for members who tend to isolate themselves.
• Provide timely information and feedback to the program manager regarding emergent agency, program, team, or member issues.
• Assist members and the team in achieving community integration, education, and employment goals.
• Participate in staff and community meetings and in the day-to-day operations of the program as needed.
• Complete program documentation and paperwork in accordance with MHALA, County Contracted Provider, and funding source standards, including documenting 5 hours of interventions per day with a 24-hour turnaround.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of one year of experience providing psychosocial rehabilitation-related services to a disabled population.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human-related field preferred.
• Current Class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, and the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• High level of tolerance, patience, and understanding for individuals with multiple needs and challenging behaviors in a busy, unstructured work environment.
• Ability to develop, nurture, and maintain good community relations on behalf of the organization.
• Knowledge of harm reduction philosophy and proficiency in motivational interviewing.
• Ability to function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Valid CPR certificate preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Flexible work schedule, including some evenings, weekends, and on-call cell phone services when necessary.
• TB clearance and annual re-testing are conditions of continued employment.
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required but may become a requirement in the future.
• Employment verification directly from three past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Pay

$24.00 per hour.

Schedule

35 hours per week.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Full benefits package, including an employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off.
• 35-hour workweek.