Housing Case Manager (CDSS) in Los Angeles, California at United American Indian I Inc

United American Indian Involvement (UAII) is the only Native American led non-profit organization in Los Angeles County, proudly serving as a home for American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Through our healthcare facility and culturally centered programs, we provide essential physical, behavioral, and spiritual health services—helping individuals stay connected to their Tribal heritage and traditions.

For over 50 years, UAII has grown to become the largest nonprofit provider of health and human services for American Indians and Alaska Natives in Los Angeles, home to the nation’s largest Urban Indian population. Our dedicated team delivers compassionate care that supports daily healing, resilience, and the continued strength of our communities. UAII is committed to uphold Indigenous values in all aspects of our work. It guides our actions, relationships, and responsibilities, ensuring that we serve our communities with integrity, respect, and accountability.

Core Principles

• Respect for Relatives – I will honor the dignity of all people, recognizing that every individual is a relative deserving of respect, compassion, and care.
• Community Responsibility – My work is not only for individual benefit but for the collective well-being of our communities, present and future.
• Cultural Integrity, I will safeguard and uplift Indigenous languages, traditions, and cultural practices, ensuring they remain central to our organizational life.
• Reciprocity We give back in balance with what we receive, fostering mutual trust and accountability in all relationships.
• Stewardship – I will act as a caretaker of our communities, resources, and environment, mindful of the impact of our decisions on future generations.
• Truth and Transparency – I will communicate honestly and openly, ensuring clarity in our commitments and accountability in our actions

Position Summary

Through culturally grounded wraparound services, UAII works to remove barriers to permanent housing and uplift individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or severe rent burden throughout Los Angeles County. Under the general direction of Sr. Lead Housing Case Manager, the Housing Case Manager supports clients in securing safe and stable housing. This role provides individualized case management, assists with housing searches, and builds strong relationships with property owners, managers, and community partners to expand permanent and supportive housing opportunities.

The Housing Case Manager (CDSS) collaborates closely with internal team members, provides essential administrative support, and utilizes all functions of the Los Angeles Continuum of Care (LAHSA/HMIS, CHAMP, DPSS, CBEST, LA DHS, LA DMH), as well as CDSS systems. This position plays a critical role in guiding clients toward housing stability and long-term success within a compassionate, culturally attuned service environment.

The Housing Case Manager (CDSS) supports the program with The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Housing and Homelessness Division (HHD), which is dedicated to building respectful, collaborative partnerships with federally recognized Tribes, tribal organizations, Tribal 638 Providers, Urban Indian Organizations, tribal consortia, and tribally led nonprofits across California.

HHD's objectives are to:

• Support housing stability and reduce homelessness in tribal communities.
• Promote equitable access to resources and services.
• Ensure programs are culturally appropriate, inclusive, and responsive to the unique needs of Tribes and tribal communities.
• Honor and respect Tribal sovereignty, culture, and traditions.

HHD works closely with the CDSS Office of Tribal Affairs and aligns with CDSS's core values:

• Respect for Tribal Sovereignty
• Integrity
• Transparency
• Solutions-Focused Collaboration

Under CDSS, there are 3 primary programs the Housing Case Manager will support.

Bringing Families Home (BFH)

The Bringing Families Home Program was established in 2016 to reduce the number of families in the child welfare system experiencing, or at risk of homelessness, to increase family reunification and to prevent foster care placement. BFH offers financial assistance and housing-related wraparound supportive services, including but not limited to rental assistance, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, interim shelter assistance, legal services, and credit repair. BFH targets families involved with the child welfare system who are experiencing, or at risk of, experiencing homelessness. Among those who are eligible, programs should first prioritize child welfare-involved families who are homeless, followed by those who are at risk of imminently losing their housing.

Our Home Safe Program

The Home Safe Program was established in 2018 to prevent or address homelessness to support the safety and housing stability of individuals involved in Adult Protective Services (APS), individuals in the APS intake process, or who may be served by a Tribal social services agency and who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Home Safe offers a range of strategies to address and prevent homelessness and support ongoing housing stability for APS clients, including housing-related intensive case management, housing-related financial assistance, deep cleaning to maintain safe housing, eviction prevention, landlord mediation, and more. Current APS clients, individuals who are in the process of intake to APS, or individuals who may be served through a Tribal social services agency who are experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness as a result of elder or dependent abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation, as determined by the APS agency or tribal entity are eligible for Home Safe.

The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP)

The Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) was established in 2016 to assist people experiencing or at risk of homelessness who are likely eligible for disability benefits by providing advocacy for disability benefits as well as housing supports. HDAP has four core requirements: outreach, case management, disability benefits advocacy, and housing assistance. Housing-related financial assistance and wraparound supportive services provided by HDAP include but are not limited to interim shelter assistance, rental assistance, housing navigation, case management, security deposits, utility payments, moving costs, legal services, and credit repair. HDAP targets individuals who are experiencing homelessness and who are likely eligible for disability benefits.

The Housing Case Manager (CDSS) is a grant funded position.

Essential Functions

An individual in this role must be able to perform the following duties with or without reasonable accommodation. The tasks listed provide representative examples and may not include all responsibilities assigned.

• Monitor and verify participant eligibility status throughout program enrollment(s).
• Provide case management services using Housing First principles, Trauma-Informed Care, and Motivational Interviewing. Ability to interpret and apply evidence-based practices or strength approach in participants' care plan.
• Develop and implement an Individualized Care Plan for participants based on the needs and barriers identified in the Initial Assessment.
• Complete Individualized Care Plans within thirty (30) days of participant enrollment.
• Meet with participants both onsite and in the field to assess housing barriers and determine appropriate housing, service needs, and sustainability.
• Maintain regular participant contact within required timeframes established by the program and funding sources.
• Assist participants with housing searches, housing placement, and ongoing tenancy support.
• Support participants in completing rental applications, subsidized housing and supportive housing paperwork; interpret and explain lease terms and educate on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Conduct habitability home inspections and provide periodic home visits after housing placement.
• Mediate and advocate on behalf of participants with landlords, addressing disputes, payment arrangements, unit surrender, relocations, and other housing-related issues.
• Collaborate closely with UAII Workforce Development, Behavioral Health, Wellness (SUD treatment), Clinic/Dental teams, and external community partners to provide comprehensive wraparound services.
• Develop and maintain an effective internal and external referral network to ensure timely warm handoffs and individualized participant support.
• Build partnerships with CoC agencies, property owners, property management companies, and agents to expand housing opportunities and promote long-term housing stability.
• Document all participant interactions within 24-48 hours and enter required data into funder-mandated tracking systems.
• Maintain accurate electronic and physical participant files and process all program paperwork in compliance with agency and funder guidelines.
• Assist in preparing internal and external reports as needed.
• Represent UAII and the Housing Department at stakeholder meetings, community events, and outreach activities.
• Keep management informed of program activities, pending issues, and potential concerns.
• Must be able to occasionally work evenings and/or weekends as needed for Company events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• At least one (1) year of experience working with homeless individuals
• A bachelor's degree in social work/mental health related or have a minimum of two (2) years of experience providing direct mental health services or ICMS PH (intensive case management services permanent housing), or RRH (Rapid Rehousing), SSVF (supportive services for veterans and families).
• Have experience working with participants with mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders.
• Have expertise in the following areas: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
• Experience and knowledge of evidence-based practices or strength-based approach in trauma informed care, crisis intervention, housing first principles.
• Knowledge in evidence-based documentation.
• Must have experience working with the Los Angeles Continuum of Care.
• Case management experience required.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local Fair Housing Laws.
• California Driver's license; driving is an essential job function.
• Clean driving record, eligible to be insured by UAll's auto policy.

Preferred Qualifications (Education & Experience)

• Experience working with the American Indian/Alaskan Native community.

• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, community groups, and performance-based government contracts.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Competencies

• Knowledge of Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (PL93-638).

• Knowledge of Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (PL 94-437).

• Knowledge of the Affordable Care Act (PL 111-148)

• Knowledge of Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)

• Strong understanding and sensitivity to American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) cultures and lifestyles and work effectively with AI/AN population.

• Effective oral and written communications skills with sensitivity to lifestyles of targeted participants, while maintaining a high level of professionalism.

• Skills in operating personal computer using a variety of computer software (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Microsoft Teams, Zoom).

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of client and personnel information, exercise discretion, and comply with all applicable federal and state privacy laws, as well as UAII policy (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.).

• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with management, coworkers, and outside contacts.

• Ability to keep up with a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to anticipate issues and find solutions quickly and effectively.

• Ability to learn and apply program/agency operating policies and procedures.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tasks concurrently and meet deadlines.

• Ability to interact with various people on various, and at times, complex issues.

• Ability to work independently as well as with teams.

Conditions of Hire

· Eligibility to work in the U.S.

· Fingerprint clearance and post-offer drug test.

· Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination and negative TB screening.

· UAII strongly encourages COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations; in the absence of the recommended vaccinations, employees are required to wear a mask at all times while on company premises.

Benefits

· Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

· Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans

· Company-paid Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

· Company-paid Basic Life Insurance and AD&D

· HSA, FSA

· 403(b) Retirement Plan with 4% Employer Match

· Employee Assistance Program

· Bereavement and Jury Duty Paid Leave

· Employee Wellness Program

· Paid Vacation - 12 days (first 2 years)

Working Conditions

This position will be onsite in an office and work in the field. The work environment characteristics described here represent those employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or sit. The employee is occasionally required to walk, sit and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and depth perception.

United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected status under federal, state, or local law. UAII is a drug-free workplace and complies with ADA regulations. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

UAII is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law.