Case Manager, Housing & Support Services in Long Island City, New York at Hourchildren.org

Position: Case Manager, Housing & Support Services

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Status: Full-time, Nonexempt

Compensation: $55,000 annually

JOB DESCRIPTION

Who We Are

Hour Children is a nonprofit supporting incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women and their children as they rebuild their lives, strengthen family relationships, and work toward stability and independence. Through interconnected prison- and community-based programs, we provide housing, family support, mental health services, workforce development, and children’s programming.

We believe in second chances, the strengths of the families we serve, and each person’s right to dignity and respect. Our work calls for compassion, collaboration, and accountability, and we value colleagues who bring those commitments to their everyday practice.

About the Role

The Case Manager, Housing & Support Services provides comprehensive, individualized support to women and families participating in Hour Children’s community housing programs. The role combines ongoing case management with assistance securing and maintaining stable housing. Working collaboratively with residents, staff, and community partners, the Case Manager addresses needs related to housing, benefits, health, employment, education, family reunification, and independent living.

Who You Are

• You build respectful, trusting relationships and help participants identify their strengths and set meaningful goals
• You balance compassion with accountability, supporting participants while maintaining clear expectations and professional boundaries
• You stay organized, follow through on commitments, and keep documentation accurate and current
• You identify barriers, seek practical solutions, and connect participants with resources that support their goals
• You remain calm under pressure, use sound judgment, and recognize when to seek supervisory support
• You communicate clearly and work collaboratively with residents, colleagues, and community partners
• You adapt to changing needs and communicate when competing priorities require guidance
• You protect confidentiality and handle sensitive information responsibly
• You respect different backgrounds and experiences, reflect on your own assumptions, and welcome feedback that strengthens your work

What You’ll Do

Client Support & Case Management

• Conduct new intake interviews and comprehensive assessments to identify each participant’s strengths, needs, goals, and barriers to stability within 48 hours of a resident’s arrival at the residence.
• Develop individualized service plans with participants, monitor progress, and update plans every 6 months and as needs and circumstances change.
• Maintain regular contact with participants through individual meetings, home visits, and follow-up appropriate to their service plans and program requirements
• Assist participants with accessing public benefits, identification documents, insurance, referrals for health care, mental health services, employment assistance, education, childcare, and other community resources.
• Provide advocacy, practical support, and crisis intervention within the scope of the role; promptly communicate safety concerns and needs requiring additional intervention to the supervisor
• Support family reunification and successful community reentry through coordinated referrals and ongoing assistance.

Housing Access & Stability

• Assess participants’ housing needs and incorporate housing goals into their individualized service plans
• Identify appropriate housing opportunities and assist participants with housing searches, applications, eligibility documentation, interviews, and follow-up
• Assist participants with understanding lease obligations, completing lease renewals and housing recertifications, and maintaining required documentation
• Collaborate with Mental Health Team to complete and submit HRA 2010E applications for those who are eligible.
• Conduct rent reviews, including rent reasonableness assessments, in accordance with applicable program and funding requirements
• Help participants address barriers to housing retention, including benefits interruptions, rent arrears, landlord concerns, and challenges with independent living
• Coordinate with property management, maintenance staff, and the supervisor to report housing conditions and follow up on concerns affecting residents’ safety or stability
• Provide education on budgeting, tenant responsibilities, housing resources, and skills needed to maintain a household
• Coordinate move-in, transition, and move-out supports, including referrals and follow-up to promote continued housing stability
• Track housing placement and retention outcomes at intervals required by the applicable program or funding source

Collaboration & Resident Engagement

• Work closely with colleagues across housing, mental health, workforce, children’s services, and other programs to coordinate participant support
• Participate in case conferences, staff meetings, and service planning discussions
• Facilitate resident meetings, groups, or workshops, as assigned
• Develop and maintain relationships with housing providers, landlords, government agencies, and community organizations
• Share housing resources with the team and contribute to maintaining a current resource database
• Provide temporary coverage at Emergency Transitional Houses when needed to maintain resident support and continuity of daily house operations
• Identify service gaps and provide recommendations to improve participant support

Documentation & Accountability

• Maintain accurate, timely assessments, service plans, case notes, referrals, and follow-up records in AWARDS and other required systems
• Document participants’ progress monthly, including housing applications, placements, retention, barriers to achieving goals, and completion of move-out records.
• Submit required data and reports within established deadlines
• Maintain participant confidentiality and follow organizational policies and applicable program requirements
• Participate in supervision, training, and professional development
• Perform other related duties as assigned

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

• Experience providing case management and housing support services to individuals or families facing barriers to stability
• Knowledge of NYC housing resources, rental assistance programs, public benefits, and housing application processes
• Experience supporting women and families affected by incarceration, homelessness, mental health challenges, or substance use preferred
• Strong assessment, communication, documentation, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities, and maintain professional boundaries
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems; familiarity with AWARDS preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills a plus
• Ability to travel between program sites and community appointments
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required

What We Offer

At Hour Children, we value the people who make our mission possible. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer matching opportunities
• Pre-tax commuter and transit benefits
• Voluntary supplemental insurance options through Aflac and MassMutual
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, personal days, paid sick and safe leave, and paid holidays, based on eligibility and length of service
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Meaningful work supporting women, children, and families in our community

Benefits are subject to applicable eligibility requirements and plan provisions.

Hour Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Hour Children is a leading provider of services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women in New York State. Focused on women and their children, we support families during a mother's incarceration and help families get back on their feet upon release. We do this by providing housing, childcare, job training, and mental health services.