Title:                       Case Manager
 
Program:                Host Homes
 
Reports to:            CES TAY Program Director
 
The Coordinated Entry System (CES) is a network that aligns homeless services in Los Angeles County to ensure that resources are efficiently and equitably distributed to support people experiencing homelessness across all populations.  To assist the large volume of people experiencing homelessness in LA County, the Coordinated Entry System (CES) was established to connect people experiencing a housing crisis to resources and housing in an efficient and equitable way. The CES serves as the organizational backbone of homeless services and helps providers work in a similar manner to make the experience of connecting people to solutions manageable.

The Host Homes Program is a short-term, unique Transitional Housing option that provides a safe living environment and participant-driven supportive services to transitional aged youth (TAY - 18-24) who are experiencing homelessness. Each TAY participant enrolled in the program is matched with a Community Host (SPA 1 Resident) and lives in a room or shared room in the Host’s home (owned or rented) for up to 6 months. While participating in the program, TAY participants receive supportive services to help them meet goals related to employment and education, social and emotional well-being, stable housing, and other areas. Hosts receive training and ongoing coaching, including support with crisis intervention.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for eligibility screening, intake and enrollment activities with Host Homes participants, including assisting with gathering eligibility documentation, completing intake forms, consents/authorizations and enrolling into the Host Homes Program
• Interview and evaluate participants to identify social, emotional, and economic factors, in order to provide participant centered, trauma-informed Case Management
• Work with a diverse and marginalized group of young adults experiencing many barriers including homelessness, complex trauma, medical concerns, mental health needs, substance use, and more
• Obtain consents and authorizations for participants in the program
• Provides ongoing Case Management and support for participants; Meet face to face with participants between one and three times a month
• Collaborate with participant, Host and Host Home Coordinator to complete a Host Home Agreement and Participation Plan
• Assist participants with housing navigation - accessing and identifying stable, permanent housing for after their Host Homes enrollment – This includes: housing identification, landlord engagement, landlord negotiation, and assistance with applications
• Engage participants in problem solving dialogue to assess for additional resources available within the participant’s own network.
• Transport/accompany participants in Agency or personal vehicle to unit search, viewings, lease signing and/or to various agencies and healthcare providers in Los Angeles County to provide wraparound supportive services
• Assist participants with budgeting, life skills, and housing household management, including cleaning, cooking, household upkeep and cleanliness, non-hoarding behavior 
• Assist participants at every stage of the Host Homes Program including flexible and equitable services to meet their needs
• Assist participant with linkage to community resources, including but not limited to appropriate medical, mental health, substance abuse providers, as well as recuperative care, food, clothing, transportation resources, benefits establishment, vocational resources and employment to increase income
• Collaborate with each participant to develop creative Housing Service Plans aimed at improving overall well-being and housing stability; Review and update monthly and upon completion of goals
• Complete periodic reassessments to ensure that the participant is following the appropriate housing pathway
• Develop and maintain complete, accurate, and current files with all required documents and data in agency records and electronic database, HMIS; Includes updates to changes in income and any demographic domain
• Ensure all services provided are properly recorded; Every participant intake along with any subsequent service, document in both paper (in participant Masterfile) and soft file format (HMIS or Apricot).
• Attend and participate in any Host Homes, CES, LAHSA, HUD, and Point Source Youth meetings, activities and events
• Attend regular, ongoing trainings related to topics connected to Host Home Program including supporting LGBTQ+, youth experiencing housing instability, positive youth development, Trauma-Informed Care, and Host Homes best practices
• Collaborate with Campus Peer Navigation, Problem Solving Programs, Housing Matchers, and YHDP Staff
• Work with other Host Homes Providers to identify challenges and gaps in services, strategize on program innovations, and highlight and disseminate best practices
• Participate in staff meetings, individual and group supervision, case conferences and training as required
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of required reporting; Document services provided within 24 hours
• Use effective communication skills such as active and reflective listening to build rapport; utilize appropriate motivational interviewing interventions to increase positive outcomes
• Be open and flexible to assisting other departments as needed
• Attend regular team, program, agency, and community meetings as required
• Adhere to agency policies and procedures including confidentiality, child abuse reporting, and code of ethics
• Additional tasks, projects and or responsibilities as assigned by Supervisor that are not outlined but which are an important part of the Agency’s goals and/or program outcomes 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Clear understanding of Host Homes Transitional Housing, Youth Homelessness, and the LGBTQ+ Community
• Knowledge and ability to utilize Social Media for the purpose of Host recruitment and engagement, resource promotion, development of an online presence to promote the Host Homes program, etc.
• Knowledge of marketing and creative platforms such as Canva
• Clear understanding of the concepts of Housing First, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction, Mental Health First Aid, Critical Time Intervention, and the Coordinated Entry System (CES)
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and experience working with subsidized housing programs such as Section 8, Shelter Plus Care, Time Limited Subsidies/Rapid Rehousing, and others
• Knowledge and understanding of policy, systems, and local programs that impact homeless persons and related public funding sources, regulations, requirements, and procedures
• Knowledge of issues facing homeless and/or at-risk youth (e.g., chronic health, substance abuse, mental health, domestic abuse, and resources for undocumented individuals
• Strong knowledge of issues confronted by and sensitivity to individuals with substance abuse, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, mental health issues, history of trauma and co-occurring-diagnoses
• Knowledge of Human and Social Service Agencies and resources in the Community
• Positive attitude, good judgment and the ability to comfortably interact with diverse populations, be energetic and independent and have a strong desire to learn
• Work effectively under conditions of limited supervision, high stress and rapidly changing situations and circumstances
• Ability to problem solve and handle common problems without supervisor intervention while knowing when supervisor participation is warranted
• Must be able to exercise initiative, independent good judgment, flexibility, discretion, and solid decision making
• Must be able to successfully manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, adjust to changing circumstances, and demonstrate confidence working with diverse stakeholders
• Project a professional demeanor and a high level of professionalism when dealing with sensitive matters
• Promote cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and objective; collaborate with team members, sharing ideas and differences openly; be receptive to new ideas and adapt to change as necessary
• Considers impact of personal and professional choices; consistently make decisions in keeping with organizational values and Supervisor’s direction
• Strict confidentiality must be observed as it relates to participant information, agency business, program decisions and all other personal information
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral; must communicate professionally and positively with participants, co-workers, management, community partners, employers, landlords, and other service providers
• Proficient with office communication equipment and machines (telephone, copier, calculator, fax machine, personal computer, laptop, computer printer and scanner)
• Proficient in use of laptop/desktop computer, Microsoft Windows, and Office software programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google Drive
• Strong time management skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced 4 environment, while exercising sound judgment
• Able to work a flexible schedule; including nights, days, weekends, and holidays when needed
• Able to respond to emergencies some evenings and weekends as necessary
• Use of a personal vehicle may be required to travel in and around Antelope Valley and/or Los Angeles County and periodically transport participants
• Maintain professional boundaries and work collaboratively with participants, volunteers, and staff
• Accountability – be on time for scheduled shifts
• Be able to read and write English
• Bilingual Preferred but not required 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social/Human Services or related field preferred
• Minimum two year experience in a Case Management role with experience in a nonprofit setting at an agency that services victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or other vulnerable populations, and/or homeless, mentally ill, substance-using, or dually-diagnosed people is required
• Experience working with Youth and Young Adults (ages 18 to 24) preferred
• Lived Experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of the social services field and/or successful management and implementation of homeless programs in the non-profit, government or private sector
• Experience with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) preferred
• Education may be substituted by years of experience

Agency Requirements:

• Must have a valid California Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation
• Auto Insurance
• Clean driving record
• Employment pending drug screen, background check and driving record

Physical Demands & Work Conditions:
An employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job must meet physical demands described:

• May be in contact with individuals in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not be attentive to personal hygiene and safety for themselves
• May experience unpleasant sensory demands associated with an individual’s use of alcohol and drugs, and lack of personal care
• May experience crises and potentially hostile situations, must be ready to respond quickly and effectively.

An employee is required to:

• Walk and climb stairs; Handle, grasp and feel objects and equipment; Reach with hands and arms; extend both arms above the head and/or reach below the waist; Communicate ideas and information verbally and written word; Be able to move oneself quickly and easily from place to place; Repeat various motions with hands, wrists, fingers; Climb on stools, steps and/or ladders; Be subject to outside environmental conditions, including but not limited to: Rain, heat, wind; lift at least 10 lbs. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. If accommodation(s) are required, employee must inform Human Resources by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform Human Resources at the time it is needed.
 
Benefits

Health	Employee Assistance Plan	Paid Sick
Dental	AFLAC	Paid Vacation
Vision	Cafeteria 125 Plan	Personal Days
Acupuncture/Chiropractic	Retirement Plan
Life Insurance	14 Observed Holidays

 
Schedule
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm (may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends, holidays and/or on call status) On – call when needed
 
Salary Range
$22.50 - $24.00 per hour **based on experience
 
An Equal Opportunity Employer: Selection will be based solely on merit and will be without discrimination because of age, race, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability. Send Us Your Resume for This Job