Case Manager for DMH Homeless Recovery and Mental Health Services

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.

About the role

Under the general supervision of a program manager, outreach, assess, and engage potential members for MHALA ISC services. Assist individuals in finding and accessing requested services through the application of intensive case management services. Assist members in transitioning to appropriate levels of care or services as needed based on the psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.

Responsibilities

• Engage and enroll new members.
• Develop a Recovery Plan with each member that identifies his/her personal needs and goals.
• Mediate and advocate on behalf of the member to help him/her obtain and keep housing, health care benefits, entitlements, etc.
• Visit members in their place of residence, hospital, or jail on an as-needed basis to help them live successfully and prevent homelessness.
• Transport members to appointments and on errands when appropriate.
• Observe members’ individual and group activities both inside the program and out in the community. Provide coaching, counseling, mentoring, instruction, training, feedback, and positive reinforcement for members in areas such as money management, grooming and hygiene, meal preparation, public transportation, and other independent living skills.
• Devise and implement strategies for outreach to 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 and requirements. This includes 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 rehab-related services to a disabled population required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human-related field preferred.
• Must possess a high level of tolerance, patience, and understanding for individuals who present for services with multiple needs, issues, and problematic behavioral characteristics in a busy and unstructured work atmosphere.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to develop, nurture, and maintain good community relations on behalf of the organization.
• Knowledgeable of the harm reduction philosophy and effective in the practice of motivational interviewing.
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services.
• Valid CPR certificate preferred.
• Knowledgeable in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Flexible work schedule to include some evenings or weekends, and on-call cell phone services when necessary.
• 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.
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however, this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot, may result in termination of employment.
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and full benefits package.
• Employee assistance program.
• Generous paid time off.

Pay

$24.00 per hour.

Schedule

35 hours per week.