POSITION TITLE: Veteran's Housing Integrated Care Specialist

FLSA CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Coordinator of Homeless Services

POSITION SUPERVISED: N/A

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Community-Based VA Housing Case Manager will be trained to use a Housing First Model when working with veteran households who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless, in order to maintain housing stability. The Community-Based VA Housing Case Manager will collaboratively develop each veteran’s individualized plan of care, coordination of services with assigned treatment team members and community partners. The Community-Based VA Housing Case Manager will assist veterans to improve their independent living skills, promote mental health recovery through the lens of person-centered care and secure / retain sustainable housing. Services will emphasize self-management of conditions; reduce utilization associated with inpatient stays and emergency room visits; improve transition of care between primary care providers and inpatient facilities in order to achieve their highest level of functioning. The Community-Based VA Housing Case Manager will apply a harm reduction and trauma informed approach to recovery orientated tasks for the support of mental health and/or sobriety.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides services to maintain required productivity standards of 5 documented contacts per day.
2. Maintains accurate, timely and comprehensive case file documentation of service provisions. Completes case files in a manner that individualizes each file, includes ongoing assessments, reflects appropriate interventions, barriers and challenges, includes housing stability plans, documents progress accomplishment towards goals, tracks unmet needs of veterans, and program discharge plans. Case files will always be kept in inspection-ready conditions.
3. Complete treatment plan and assist veterans in setting individualized recovery goals by utilizing the strengths assessment process and update quarterly.
4. Meet with veterans to coach and provide instruction necessary to meet identified goals and work toward recovery, reintegration, relapse prevention and community tenure.
5. Ensure veterans meet Activities of Daily Living (ADL) by assisting, coaching and skill building around daily living, social skills, and medication management skills.
6. Promptly screen veteran households for eligibility requirements. Submit screening for approval and prioritization or denial. Provide and document appropriate referrals for those individuals screened ineligible.
7. Assist veteran household with crisis situations, anger management, and development of crisis WRAP plans to address symptom management and skill building for conflict resolution. Update progress, goals, actions, and interventions as needed.
8. Submit case files for supervision review and close out within designated time frame.
9. Conduct intake and assessments required for enrollment: Veteran status, household income, referrals needed, housing barriers and challenges, physical and mental health needs, and safety concerns. Provide veterans necessary orientation to program requirement and veteran rights.
10. Conduct office and in-home visits with veteran households for housing stability planning. Document progress, linkages and referrals to permanent housing, Veteran-serving and community-based resources, including income and legal supports, and coordinate with VA Case Manager Veteran navigators and/or other entities.
11. Provide advocacy as needed for appointments, landlord-tenant negotiation, conflict resolution, payment of rent or utility arrears, and/or in obtaining needed resources.
12. Assist veteran with creating budgets to assist with identifying safe and affordable housing. Assess needs for financial assistance in accordance with the VA Case Manager Program Guide, in order to obtain and maintain permanent housing as indicated in the housing stability plan.
13. Engage and build rapport with veteran households. Provide information and referrals to callers, and potential veterans. Conduct landlord outreach to identify new safe and affordable rental properties. Participate in the annual outreach events.
14. Attend community meeting as requested and maintain collaborative working relationships with community partnering agencies, Veteran-serving organizations, and homeless providers.
15. Assist veterans with entitlement advocacy and application processes including for SSI/SSDI, food assistance programs, medical cards and others.
16. Collaborate with veteran household on self-sufficiency discharge planning to maintain permanent housing, economic stability, emotional stability and self-determination.
17. Submit for supervision review and approval of all recertification requests as required and within designated time frame.
18. Attends and participates in HMIS training and comply with HMIS user agreements. Obtain releases of information for veteran households to enter data into HMIS. Ensure timely and accurate HMIS entry of data and services.
19. Monitors status of vets and provides level of personal and other supports consistent with veteran status and collaborates with the VA regarding client care.
20. Attend and participate in individual, group and field supervision, as established by the program.

OTHER POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Maintains acceptable overall attendance record, to include agency meetings and training as required. Attend and participate in all individual, group and field supervisions established by the program. Ensures appropriate notification to supervisor for absences and ensures that work is covered. Flexibility in work schedule when needed.
2. Meets deadlines and ensures accuracy of various reports / paperwork, mileage sheets, and electronic timesheets.
3. Exhibits appropriate level of technical knowledge for the position. Employees must read their emails and respond to messages daily as the Association frequently provides pertinent and important information to employees.
4. Produces quantity of work necessary to meet job requirements.
5. Works well with a team, keeps others informed of information needed. Treats others with dignity and respect, maintaining a spirit of cooperation. Residents should be treated with warmth and friendliness to decrease alienation and despair, increasing their changes of obtaining the services they need.
6. Maintain professional verbal and written interactions with peers, participants, supervisors and other staff, which also includes effective listening skills. Use diplomacy and tact in dealing with difficult situations or people. Provide strong customer service skills, so that residents will have the best experience possible while in the residential setting, increasing their chances of success while in the program and successfully transition into the community.
7. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to handle new assignments, changes in procedures and business requirements. Identifies what needs to be done and takes appropriate action.
8. Completes assigned work, meets deadlines without reminders/follow-up from supervisor or others.
9. Performs work conscientiously with a high degree of accuracy.
10. Ensure safe transportation of residents in the community as needed, using agency provided vehicle or personal vehicle.
11. Collaboration with partnering agencies and CIT Teams for mobile response and stabilization services.
12. Meets goals and objectives as mutually agreed upon during last performance review (if applicable).

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: The Community-Based VA Case Manager is expected to have a bachelor’s degree in a human service field or four years of equivalent education and/or experience working in the human services field. Licensed Master’s or Bachelor’s degree preferred. Computer literacy required. Preferred areas include knowledge of community-based and Veteran-serving resources, housing alternatives and vocational services; experience working in the community with veterans in the area of homelessness, substance abuse, family services, mental health, PTSD, crisis intervention, and incarceration; ability to write and communicate verbally in a clear and concise fashion; and the ability to develop and maintain rapport with veterans, constituents and staff. A valid Kansas driver’s license and access to personal vehicle required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

* Driving (for purposes of community mobility)

* Typing/data entry, writing

* Lifting/carrying up to 30 pounds

* Bending/Stooping/Climbing stairs

All the above duties and responsibilities are considered essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as a detailed statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related instructions as requested by their supervisors, subject to reasonable accommodation.

EEO race, color, religion, sex, parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.