Case Manager

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The Case Manager position is responsible   for assisting participants with housing needs and goal setting; proper   preparation and maintenance of required documentation and records as well as   close coordination with other services and agencies. Because of the nature of   this Agency, it is essential that the Next Door Case Manager believe in the   philosophy of the Agency as well as be able to develop a rapport with program   participants. This program adheres to the Mental Health Department Guiding   Principles: choice, empowerment, cultural sensitivity, holistic, peer/natural   supports, accountability, respect, collaboration and mutuality, safety,   trustworthiness and transparency, and hope.  This program strives to be a   Trauma Informed Care environment and practices the Housing First Model. This   program operates Monday through Friday 9am-4:30pm, closing for lunch at 12pm   to 12:30pm, apart from holidays. The Case Manager’s required hours are 9am to   5pm Monday through Friday with expected flexibility until 6pm and Saturday   9am-12noon, to meet participants needs. On-call services are offered after hours. 

CRITICAL ELEMENTS:

1) Assess   Needs and Referrals: Assess individual and family needs, including   housing, and make referrals to community services.  Assess participants’ needs with the   participants’ input and make appropriate referrals agreed upon by the   participant and the Case Manager. Be willing to meet potential participants   at local shelters to complete assessments and case coordination. 

2) Goal   Development and Direct Services: Facilitate the program goals of   assisting program participants with finding safe, affordable, and permanent   housing in the community.  Determine which services participants are   eligible to receive from the program. Assist participants with developing a   Housing Stability Plan with goals necessary for self-sufficiency. Plans   involving goal development are highly participant driven without   predetermined goals, and should build on each participant’s needs, goals, and   strengths. Housing Stability Plans   need to be reviewed and updated every 3 months, along with the   Self-Sufficiency Cumulative Assessment. Meetings with participants should be in person when applicable and   desired by the participant and held where the participant feels comfortable. 

3) Support Services: Provide support services to help participants   maintain their housing and locating permanent stable housing. Engaging   landlords and working closely with landlords to facilitate participant   move-in and ongoing success in housing. Assisting with navigating available   community resources including mainstream benefits such as TANF, medical   assistance, Social Security, childcare access and maintaining a positive   connection with service providers. Complete timely expense requests for rental assistance. 

4) Documentation: Keep timely and accurate documentation per funding requirements. The   Case Manager is responsible for maintaining a chart in an orderly manner of   each household. Complete housing   assessments and use the HMIS system to collect information on participants   receiving services. Is responsible to   scan and electronically save completed charts into the data storage system. 

ADDITIONAL   ELEMENTS:

1) Participate in agency and program activities.

2) Assist with training new staff and provide   back up support for the positions of Case Management Assistant and Intake   Case Manager, as needed. 

3) Attend staff meetings as scheduled.

4) Attend 12 hours of training annually.

5) Transport clients as needed. 

6) Participate in on-call duties as   scheduled. 

7) Follow and support agency philosophy,   policies, and procedures.

8) Other duties as assigned by the Program   Coordinator of Next Door and/or Assistant Director of Mental Health   Services. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in social science OR associate degree   and two (2) years human services experience preferred; OR High School   Diploma/GED and four (4) years human services experience; valid driver’s   license.  PA State Police Background check. PA Childline.  FBI   Fingerprint Clearances.