Case Manager (Poplar)

About the Role

Provide direct case management services including assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, referral, and advocacy to ensure an effective social service support plan is in place to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.

Responsibilities

• Utilize the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES) to complete family’s intake assessment, service plan/independent living plan, housing, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
• Review accessible information from Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc., using the DHS CARES system.
• Ensure all information is updated in the CARES system in a timely fashion as required by DHS.
• Provide advocacy and referral services to ensure clients receive appropriate benefits, entitlements, and services, enhancing their transition to permanent housing while minimizing the length of time families are homeless.
• Coordinate services to stabilize the family unit, address problems of substance abuse, or improve housekeeping, parenting, and money management skills to help achieve the goal of permanent housing.
• Assess and identify clients' needs, formulate appropriate service plans, monitor and document progress, and record all significant interactions to ensure clear, effective service delivery in compliance with State, City, and Agency regulations.
• Develop and maintain appropriate helping relationships with families to assist them in making the most of their residency and facilitate active involvement in achieving service goals.
• Provide individual counseling and crisis intervention services to help stabilize families and minimize the negative impact of displacement.
• Maintain familiarity with off-site and on-site program resources for homeless families and refer families to appropriate resources.
• Facilitate groups addressing family issues, enhancing life skills, and assisting families in achieving self-sufficiency and a successful transition to permanent housing.
• Coordinate client services provided by other social services staff to ensure families receive necessary and appropriate services in a timely fashion and comply with State and City regulations.
• Facilitate effective communication among staff within the Casework Unit and with other staff members.
• Ensure timely and accurate transfer of relevant information to administrative staff, such as client admission and discharge and changes in public assistance cases.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, including serving on-call for a one-week period each quarter.
• Assist in transferring clients in and out of the program when required.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Facilitate effective communication with other staff within an interdisciplinary context, participate in and contribute to staff meetings, and help develop policies and procedures.
• Participate in training and staff-development activities to acquire and maintain interpersonal and operational skills necessary for successful job performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or an Associate degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services.
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred) with a minimum of one year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services.
• Associate degree (considered) with a minimum of two years of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services.
• Experience facilitating groups for homeless adults, specialized knowledge of substance abuse issues and treatment, and family dynamics treatment.
• Bilingual language ability highly desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Other Requirements

• May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule.
• Travel throughout various locations in the New York City area.
• Ability to work in environments with temperature variance and ventilation challenges.
• Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.