Housing Focused Case Manager

Housing Focused Case Manager

Reports to Job Role: Case Management Coordinator

FLSA: Exempt

Role: Team Member

Descriptive Summary

The Housing Focused Case Manager provides critical linkages to and coordination of services on behalf of individuals at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS). The Housing Focused Case Manager is responsible for utilizing a Housing First approach to rapidly exit adult only households from ERCS and will be held responsible for meeting or exceeding outcomes as well as other contractual obligations. The Housing Focused Case Manager must possess a patient traumainformed approach to service delivery using an equity lens. The Housing Focused Case Manager ensures that housing focused services are equitable and delivered with integrity in accordance with the Agency Mission Vision and Values. The Housing Focused Case Manager works as an integral member of the ERCS and Cornerstones team focusing on 5 primary outcome areas: 1 reducing length of homelessness 2 exits to permanent housing 3 increase in income reduction in debt improvement in credit score 4 reducing recidivism and returns to homelessness and 5 integrated care management. Housing focused case management services include but are not limited to: assessment of social health emotional and economic needs of shelter participants development and monitoring of individualized housing stability plans to address barriers to housing collaboration and coordination with community and partner organizations referrals for service assistance with searching for and obtaining employment and housing providing consultation and training crisis intervention group facilitation field visits and tracking and documenting case information in case files and in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS. A candidate that is bilingual in English/Spanish and has the ability to use ones lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers is a plus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manages an average caseload of 1215 adult only households experiencing homelessness at ERCS.
• Conducts comprehensive indepth assessments utilizing uniform intake/assessment tools developed by the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) as well as assessment and action planning tools developed for Cornerstones Integrated Care Management (ICM) services.
• Works with shelter participants to prepare implement and monitor individual plans and budgets that at a minimum address the core outcome areas as well as other significant barriers to housing. Plans must include goals and specific action steps needed to meet those goals.
• Works closely with the Housing Locator to educate shelter participants about and assist them with obtaining affordable appropriate housing.
• Assesses household eligibility and need for benefits and services and makes appropriate referrals including requests for financial and / or housing assistance and connection with county and mainstream benefits.
• Advocates for and actively assists individuals in obtaining services (e.g.

behavioral health intellectual disability substance use disorder housing referrals financial assistance employment training medical services mentoring and socialization).

• Provides mediation and advocacy with landlords on the individuals behalf to develop a workable plan to obtain housing.
• Creates and maintains consistent communication channels both verbal and written between several parties (i.e. tenant landlord referral source collaborating agencies debtors and creditors)
• Applies knowledge of residential lease contracts to educate individuals of their rights and responsibilities.
• Makes referrals for credit counseling and other services necessary to assist participants with critical skills related to budgeting managing money accessing a free personal credit report and resolving personal credit problems.

• Maintains effective partnerships with OPEH the Fairfax County Health Department the Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB) Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Department of Family Services (DFS) and the Fairfax County Department of Adult and Aging to ensure participants receive holistic integrated care management across Cornerstones.
• Addresses and if necessary diffuses crisis situations with shelter participants. Assesses safety concerns and assists shelter participants to access emergency services as needed (e.g. medical behavioral health services adult protective services).
• Maintains level of contact with households served based on the level of service need and minimum program requirements.
• Develops and facilitates psychoeducational groups or trainings for shelter participants and colleagues.
• Conducts housing inspections (as appropriate.
• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings case staffings as well as communitywide trainings and meetings.
• Provides intern / volunteer supervision (as appropriate.
• Works a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Uses automated technology including HMIS and hard copy files to maintain update and report on case data goal attainment and outcomes in a timely manner.
• Assists with front desk coverage when needed.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Education

• Bachelors degree in an applicable human services field of commensurate experience with homeless and/or at risk populations. Masters Degree Preferred.
• MSW plus two years postMasters degree a plus.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish English/Arabic English/French is preferred.

Key Performance Indicators

• Requires knowledge and belief in Housing First and Rapid ReHousing philosophy and strategies.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals including people with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities is required.
• Extensive knowledge of current homelessness strategies and priorities TraumaInformed Care Housing First Equity essential.
• Knowledge of current social service homeless and housing issues and methods/approaches to address issues.
• Knowledge and understanding of tenants rights and responsibilities as well as strengths based case management.
• Knowledge of the principals and practices of case management.
• Knowledge of regulations and guidelines relating to the assigned area of social service provision.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to use HMIS to establish and maintain case records and to facilitate data collection.
• Ability to schedule and manage workload sufficiently to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including nights and weekends.
• Candidate must be able to lift items weighing 1020 pounds.
• Candidate must possess a valid drivers license reliable transportation and good driving record.
• Candidate must be able to drive 15passenger van.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish English/Arabic English/French is preferred.

Cornerstones Vision Purpose and Values:

Cornerstones envisions an equitable connected community where all individuals and families thrive. Cornerstones employees build and sustain our culture through a commitment to these values:

• Serve and Lead with Passion for Mission Excellence
• Act with Integrity
• Champion Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion
• Collaborate and Innovate for Impact
• Equip and Empower for Success

Work Environment:

This position is performed in an emergency shelter environment.

An Equal Opportunity Employer