Supportive Services Case Manager in Paso Robles, California at Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo (CA)

Under the general direction of the Director of Supportive Services; performs moderately complex supportive services, office and administrative tasks. Supports team members in Supportive Services and Property Management. Responsible for assessing resident needs, acting as a case manager where required to assist residents with meeting established goals for lease compliance and/or goals to address the basic needs of the family. Makes resource information available to residents and provides linkages to needed services for low-income residents living in affordable housing developments. Duties may include a high volume of public and telephone contact, report preparation and record keeping.
Individualized Case Management

• Provides person-centered case management to program participants on a regular and consistent basis as determined by the individual’s needs and goals.
• Promotes evidence-based practices including trauma-informed care, housing first, and harm reduction models.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, counseling, skill building, and strengthening of protective factors to achieve desired client outcomes.
• Maintain client service plans and ongoing progress notes.
• Updates and maintains client records in HMIS and Coordinated Entry.
• Conducts crisis assessment, de-escalation, safety planning and coordination with emergency responders, behavioral health providers and hospitals as needed.
• Develop housing stabilization plans designed to prevent leave violations, reduce barriers to housing retention, and support long-term housing stability.

Tenant Relations and Advocacy

• Work with property staff, families, and community agencies to identify and address resident problems before they reach crisis proportions.
• Help tenants understand and follow tenancy rules to increase housing stability and minimize any impact on other residents, the property and neighborhood.
• May assist with intakes, property inspections and annual recertifications.

Referrals and Services

• Provides tenant education and housing stability services or access to services by referral or through mainstream resources.
• Provides services that will promote household self-sufficiency including employment as well as assisting the household apply for permanent disability benefits. Individualized budgeting and money management services are provided to program participants as needed.
• Provides referrals to full-service wrap-around services, including representative payee if needed.
• Provides information or referrals to resources regarding life skills including housekeeping, menu planning and food preparation, consumer education, leisure-time activities, transportation, and information for obtaining vital documents (Social Security card, birth certificate, etc.).
• Provides referrals to agencies that link clients to employment and educational advancement, such as GED preparation and attainment, post-secondary training, and vocational education may be provided.
• Utilizes a Harm Reduction approach to substance use treatment to help the participant with making decisions that lessen the negative impact of their substance use on their housing stability, health, and general well-being.
• Connects participants to community-based and mainstream resources, especially enrollment in a health care home to receive primary care and behavioral health services.
• Coordinates care with medical, behavioral health, substance use treatment, managed care plans, and community service providers to support participant goals and housing stability.
• Provides housing-focused supportive services and care coordination consistent with Medi-Cal Community Supports, CalAIM, and other applicable program requirements.

Education, Training and Experience: In the field of social services, any combination of education and experience equivalent to an associate degree; a bachelor degree is preferred; 3 years of professional experience is preferred.

Knowledge of: Current social and economic programs; recovery process; signs and symptoms of mental illness; community resources necessary for independent living; Housing First Principles, trauma-informed care, harm reduction practices, motivational interviewing and care coordination models. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment; specifically, Microsoft Office Suite, Internet and property management software program(s); work methods and techniques applicable to document preparation and record maintenance; proper telephone/voice mail system methods and procedures.

Ability to: Teach independent living skills to individuals with severe mental illness; engage in strategies using standardized processes to address mental illness and support self-directed recovery; anticipate needs and develop treatment/care plan; accompany clients to assist with accessing community resources. Demonstrate good organizational skills and attention to detail; communicate effectively orally and in writing; proofread and recognize information which does not fit specified criteria; prepare reports; maintain accurate records; sort and file documents; use computer systems and programs. Perform duties independently; thrive in a high-pressure environment; adapt to changing priorities and deadlines. Demonstrate flexibility, patience and tolerance; excel in public relations and deliver excellent customer service; maintain impartiality, objectivity and confidentiality. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; effectively interact with persons from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. May be required to deal with distraught, angry and/or potentially violent people. Be available for evenings/weekends/on-call, if needed.

Physical Demands: This classification involves a combination of field and office work including: walking, sitting and standing for prolonged periods of time, bending, stooping, squatting, reaching, pulling; the coordinated use of fingers, hands, arms and knees; and occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs.

Working Conditions: Office: open ventilation environment with limited exposure to dust, noise, fumes, odors or chemicals. Field: activities at complexes and public facilities with exposure to inclement weather.

Special Requirements: Must be insurable by HASLO’s automobile insurance carrier which requires a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. May be required to possess fluency in a language other than English and be knowledgeable of the culture associated with clients speaking that language.
This Job Description is a guideline reflecting the primary activities associated with this position; it is not intended to be an all-encompassing list of responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions. HASLO retains the right to assign other related duties; change or modify this job description at any time.