Case Manager and Coach for Homeless Recovery and Mental Health

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.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency, and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek. MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization and promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program and generous paid time off.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively within an integrated mobile team to provide street outreach, community-based case management, and linkage to independent permanent housing for homeless individuals.
• Provide outreach and engagement efforts to individuals who are homeless through an intensive, sustained, and consistent process.
• Develop and complete a mental health treatment recovery plan with each member that identifies their personal goals and needs.
• Provide case management support to members in all aspects of securing independent stable housing, such as:
  • Assisting members with overcoming barriers to permanent housing.
  • Accessing funding and educating members on tenants’ rights.
  • Responding immediately to housing concerns to avoid eviction.
  • Conducting regular home visits and collaborating with property managers/developers and other partners to help members retain housing.
• Provide transportation, including transporting individuals to services to which they have been referred and accompanying people on public transportation to ensure assistance needed to attain services.
• Provide life skills training that assists individuals to gain, restore, improve, or maintain daily independent living skills, such as:
  • Money management, grooming, and hygiene.
  • Meal preparation and public transportation.
  • Household management and developing social/leisure activities.
  • Employment and educational goals.
• Support members by mentoring, advocating, role-modeling, and providing education within the scope of practice to help members reach their mental health recovery goals/objectives.
• Participate in continued learning by attending trainings (DMH trainings and other sources) that introduce different interventions effective for this population.
• Advocate on behalf of the member to help them obtain and keep housing, healthcare benefits, financial entitlements, etc.
• Maintain all records and documentation using various technological resources needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
• Meet all documentation and billing requirements, including:
  • 24-hour note entry turnaround and 48-hour note correction turnaround time.
  • Monthly hours requirement.
• Maintain a billing goal of 85 hours monthly and complete any paperwork items due to maintain member care for the QA team and clear queues in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in regular team meetings with proactive communication around member concerns.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED with a minimum of one year of experience providing outreach or psychosocial rehabilitation-related services to homeless and/or disabled populations.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field preferred.
• Bi-lingual applicants are preferred.
• Persons with lived mental health experience are preferred.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services.
• Valid CPR and basic first aid certificate preferred.
• Ability to provide all services in the field (member’s home, any other location where homeless individuals congregate).
• Ability to provide interventions that are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individual’s needs based on their cultural identity within the scope of license/clinical training.
• Must maintain an empathetic view for individuals in severe need and be able to creatively and successfully address a variety of barriers that prevent successful personal and community living.
• Must possess a high level of appreciation and understanding for individuals who present for services with urgent multiple needs, issues, and problematic behavioral characteristics.
• Demonstrate knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledgeable of evidence-based practice interventions such as motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, and housing first modalities.
• Must function well in a multi-disciplinary, team-oriented approach to member services in a fast-paced work environment.
• Knowledgeable of the characteristics of individuals who are substance abusing and/or dually diagnosed.
• Knowledgeable in technological and computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Driving with a current Class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, and the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment.
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment.
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Pay

$24.00 per hour (The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Schedule

35 hours per week, with a flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services.

Benefits

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