Case Manager – Residence

Case Manager – Residence Summary

Following a Housing First approach that prioritizes providing permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, Downtown Women’s Center seeks a Case Manager to contribute directly to breaking the cycle of homelessness for individuals in our Project Based programs. The Housing First approach views housing as the foundation for life improvement and enables access to permanent housing without prerequisites or conditions beyond those of a typical renter. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is targeted to individuals and families with chronic illnesses, disabilities, mental health issues, or substance use disorders who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. Supportive services are offered to support residents with housing stability and individual well-being. The ideal candidate works closely with an interdisciplinary direct-service team to empower residents and build a safe community that promotes stabilization and housing retention.

Essential Functions

• Provide individualized intensive case management services for residents at San Pedro location as guided by DHS Statement of Work and program needs.
• Collaborate with residents to complete assessments and individual service plans; identify resources and provide referrals and follow-up on a routine basis.
• Accompany residents to occasional appointments for advocacy support as needed.
• Advocate for residents to ensure resources and services are received; collaborate across departments to ensure continuity of care.
• Approach residents and peers with a trauma informed lens cultural competency approach.
• Provide in person intensive case management services to residents with an emphasis on developing housing stability and life skills.
• Regular monthly home visits that include looking for indications that home, health, or some assistance with activities of daily living is needed.
• Link residents to internal and external resources to increase social skills, ensure financial security, improve physical and mental health, assist to retain housing, and increase residents’ self-sufficiency.
• Identify residents who are ready to move-on to independent housing and provide housing navigation services to assist them in attaining this goal.
• Conduct and coordinate regularly scheduled support group workshops.
• Ensure accurate and timely records on residents and services provided to each resident; oversee and improve upon current resident tracking and case file systems.
• Input resident data and progress notes into the HMIS and/or CHAMP system in a timely manner as indicated by funding contract and the DWC Documentation Policy.
• Participate in community meetings/events and serve as a representative of DWC at community events.
• Provide annual, quarterly, monthly and weekly written reports to the Case Manager Supervisor.

Competencies

• Problem-Solving and critical thinking ability
• Communication Proficiency
• Active Listening
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Customer service
• Teamwork
• Conflict management
• Cultural humility
• Professional boundaries and self-awareness
• Time Management and ability to prioritize tasks
• Fundamental understanding of Domestic Violence and the Cycles of DV

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work/related field or relevant experience preferred
• Minimum two years’ experience as a Case Manager with similar population, knowledge of community resources required

Required Knowledge/Skills/Position Qualifications

• Familiarity with supportive housing or other residential or shelter facilities in DTLA area strongly preferred
• Knowledge of issues related to homelessness, mental illness, chronic health issues, and older adults preferred
• An understanding of the stages of change along with the cycles of domestic violence
• Ability to exercise and model good judgment, active listening and crisis intervention skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills required; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences
• Strong multi-tasking skills and proficiency in balancing direct service responsibilities with data management responsibilities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with a diverse group of staff, interns and volunteers
• Detail-oriented, highly organized, able to manage multiple tasks and priorities, and set and meet goals and deadlines
• Familiarity with permanent supportive housing model or other residential or shelter facilities in Los Angeles preferred
• HMIS experience and/or knowledge of data collection tools to track client progress
• CHAMP experience and/or knowledge of data collection tools to track client progress
• Cultural humility
• Must be a CA resident and live no more than 80 miles from DWC; must be available for in-person meetings at DWC
• Must provide documentation of a negative TB test result within the last twelve months, on first day of hire.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Criminal background check and security clearance required
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English a plus

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• This position would also require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with the flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary. Please note that the Permanent Supportive Housing Program operates 24 hours a day.

Travel

• Some local travel to meetings, trainings, and for other activities may be required.

Work Environment

• Professional office setting, with frequent use of standard office equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs., bend, stand, and move between offices as necessary.
• Onsite position, requiring equal time spent at both DWC locations.
• This position work out of office spaces that are within the same building that participants live.

Pay Range

$28.61-$29.70/hour