Case Manager - Housing (Full Time)

About the role

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Case Manager to join our Housing team! A Case Manager provides community-based case management services to clients, draws upon clients' strengths to inform service planning, advocates on behalf of clients, collaborates with other service providers, provides resource referrals, monitors client progress, and manages crisis situations. This position also provides administrative support by maintaining client files, entering data, and completing required documentation in compliance with program and funder requirements.

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love. We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve. A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community.

Responsibilities

• Provide client-centered, healing-centered case management services to diverse individuals who may have experienced chronic homelessness, systems involvement, mental health challenges, substance use challenges, a history of trauma, early pregnancy/parenthood, etc.
• Identify and leverage clients’ strengths as part of service planning to help clients achieve their self-defined goals.
• Work with teammates and other support staff to ensure fidelity of the Strengths Model of Case Management is adhered to and considered in interaction with and documentation of client-case manager engagement.
• Assist clients with their day-to-day needs and development of life skills, which may include (but is not limited to) grocery shopping, meal preparation, cleaning activities, budgeting, navigating public transportation, and job search activities.
• Assess clients’ mental and physical wellness, needs, preferences, and abilities, and utilize this information to develop tailored wraparound supports and referrals that are aligned with client preferences.
• Regularly and effectively assess and manage incidents and crisis situations, with calm, care, and positive regard for client, using de-escalation and safety planning techniques as appropriate.
• Analyze barriers and challenges as they arise and deliver safe, effective, and client-focused solutions.
• Actively engage in the community alongside clients to support the achievement of client’s self-defined goals, including collaborating with internal and external partners to advocate for client needs, coordinate services, and provide referrals.
• Assist clients in building a network of support and (re)building relationships with family and friends.
• Comply with all requirements outlined by funding sources, licensure and accrediting bodies, the program, and the agency. These requirements may pertain to data, paperwork, philosophies, processes, and procedures, among other things.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate case records and documentation, including (but not limited to) service plans, assessments, progress notes, intake reports, and incident reports.
• Perform heavy data entry into agency/funder databases and ensure timeliness and accuracy of data entry.
• Discern how and when to provide approved financial assistance to support the client in meeting their basic needs and ensure proper utilization of the funds.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary documents to secure employment or housing (e.g