OMAP Case Manager

About the role

This position provides case management services to Homeless Veterans, Veterans at risk of Homelessness, and their families through the Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP). Responsibilities include coordinating VA benefits and other public benefits, temporary financial assistance, and supportive services to enable clients to obtain and/or maintain housing stability.

Responsibilities

• Receive referrals of potential clients and conduct Initial Client Visit (ICV) for eligibility.
• Determine and document program eligibility based on SSVF criteria (veteran status, income status, and housing status).
• Conduct assessments of eligible applicants’ needs, assist clients in setting goals, and develop individualized housing stability plans.
• Monitor progress on housing stability plans and recertify eligibility periodically as required by SSVF regulations.
• Coordinate with regional, state, and local VA programs (hospitals, outpatient clinics, VET centers, Veterans Benefit Units) to provide VA benefits identified in clients’ plans.
• Maintain contact with local veterans’ organizations and community resources to identify potential program participants.
• Work with state and local not-for-profit agencies to coordinate public benefits and services identified in clients’ plans.
• Coordinate temporary financial assistance (rental assistance, utility fee/deposit payments, moving costs, emergency supplies, transportation, and child care).
• Act as a client advocate to resolve emergencies and assist clients in crisis situations.
• Maintain case records in accordance with professional standards and enter client-specific data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Make initial contact with applicants within 24 hours and determine eligibility within 2 working days.
• Develop a housing stability plan during the ICV and maintain person-to-person contact with active clients at least once every 10 working days.
• Enter client data into HMIS promptly (upon entry, exit, and after each case management contact).
• Build and maintain a caseload of 25 veterans/families within 90 days of employment, serving an estimated 62.5 veterans/families annually.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (preferred).
• At least two years of experience working with veterans/families.
• At least two years of experience working with very low-income individuals/families.
• Ability to establish positive relationships with clients and their families.
• Ability to maintain professional relationships with collaborative partners while ensuring confidentiality.
• Knowledge of community resources available to veterans and their families.
• Ability to work independently, take direction, and organize time/effort effectively.
• Strong communication skills and ability to express ideas clearly.
• Ability to recognize, understand, and control personal biases.

Physical and Other Requirements

• Full range of motion, including manual and digital dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
• Vision, speech, and hearing corrected to normal range (or accommodations sufficient for task completion).
• Ability to work seated at a desk, including computer use.
• Ability to lift 30 pounds.
• Occasional work under stressful conditions and irregular hours.
• Extended periods of outdoor work and standing/walking.
• Ability to drive and regular access to a reliable automobile.

Training

• Within the first three months, orientation on:
  • Organization’s mission, philosophy, goals, and services.
  • Community role, personnel policies, and lines of accountability.
  • Cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the served population.
• Training for staff with direct client contact on:
  • Mandatory reporting of abuse/neglect and criminal behavior.
  • Duty-to-warn responsibilities.
  • Confidentiality policies and penalties for violations.
  • Legal rights of service recipients and sensitivity to socio-economic issues.
• Training for staff handling case records on proper documentation and security.
• Additional training as needed on:
  • Establishing rapport with clients and crisis intervention.
  • Identifying needs of victims of violence/abuse and their families.
  • Working with foreign language speakers and persons with communication impairments.
  • Public assistance, advocacy, and client empowerment.
  • Cultural competency, bias recognition, and social inclusion.

This position reports directly to the OMAP Program Coordinator.