case manager – housing, yya

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 

The Case Manager of Housing provides intensive case management for a small caseload of youth and young adults ages 16-21 years who are receiving transitional living services, to establish safe and stable housing. They partner with clients to work towards their selfidentified goals, reduce barriers to staying housed, and transition to permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Program Delivery 

1. Respond and prioritize accordingly to emergent client needs. 
2. Initiate and utilize client voices across service delivery. 
3. Provide anti-oppressive and strength-based services to clients. 
4. Contribute to a positive and affirming community atmosphere and model healthy conflict resolution.
5. Provide written daily and weekly notes and client and program updates to other program employees. 
6. Participate in regular house meetings and weekly staff meetings. 
7. Meet weekly with supervisor to discuss programmatic updates and current caseload. 

Case Management Tasks 

1. Provide strength-based case management services and ensure goal setting is client centered. 
2. Conduct client intake and assessments. 
3. Assess life skills proficiency of clients at intake, quarterly and upon exit, to inform and target areas of improvement. 
4. Engage clients in the development of Independent Living Plans (ILPS), to include education, employment, life skills, mental and emotional health, physical health, permanent housing, support systems, and other individualized goals. 
5. Provide weekly individual case management sessions with clients. 
6. Support clients with identifying housing resources and applying for housing that meets their individual needs including subsidized, low-income, and market-rate options.
7. Teach life skills to clients on an individual and group basis, including emotion regulation, positive coping skills, career planning, interpersonal communication, daily living, household planning and upkeep, housing and money management, self-care, social relationships, employment, study skills, etc. 
8. Create a monthly calendar of planned house activities, outings, service-learning projects, etc. Ensure all clients are aware of these events and reduce barriers to engagement through regular communication and identification of new and effective methods to inform clients about these events. 
9. Maintain accurate and updated client records and data on progress towards goals. 
10. Complete quarterly service reports. 
11. Provide follow-up and aftercare services for clients upon program exit. 
12. Participate in agency and professional group training and conferences to increase professional knowledge. 
13. Encourage clients to increase positive connections and expand personal support network. 
14. Collaborate with other employees, to ensure clients are connected to appropriate internal and external referrals. 

Landlord Related Tasks 

1. Collect income verification from clients and complete accurate monthly rent determinations. 
2. Process rent waivers, reductions and payment plans. 
3. Collect rent and other fees monthly from clients and keep accurate and thorough written records of all transactions. 
4. Conduct regular unit inspections and respectfully coach clients on maintaining a clean and safe home. 
5. Maintain proper documentation of all unit inspections and the feedback provided to clients. 
6. Oversee timely unit turnover, including the bagging of personal possessions for storage, cleaning of the unit, basic maintenance needs and submit facilities request within 7 days of unit vacancy. 
7. Facilitate quarterly organization of storage, including donating or disposing of abandoned belongings. 
8. Model responsible landlord practices by conducting move-in and move-out walk through and inspections. 
9. Oversee facility safety and cleanliness and model how to perform basic household maintenance. 
10. Monitor all maintenance needs to ensure completion within the established timelines. 
11. Collaborate with clients to ensure individual units and communal spaces are appropriately deep cleaned on a regular basis. 
12. Maintain an updated inventory of furniture and identification of furniture needing to be repaired and/or replaced. 
13. Ensure the overall cleanliness of the facility by monitoring and assigning ongoing chores to clients. 
14. Ensure security systems are always operational and video surveillance is reviewed as needed. 

Advocacy

1. Develop referral network of specialized service providers. 

2. Advocate on behalf of youth and young adults for system change. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

A. Education and Experience 

1. Bachelor’s degree in a human-service field preferred. 
2. Minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience, including supporting youth, young adults and families experiencing homelessness. 
3. Experience providing case management services with an emphasis on trauma-informed care, positive youth development, housing first, and harm reduction. 
4. Experience utilizing effective prevention and de-escalation techniques. 
5. Knowledge of regional housing resources. 
6. Experience with motivational interviewing preferred.

B. Additional Requirements 

1. 1. Must satisfactorily pass criminal history check.
2. Must satisfactorily pass tuberculosis (TB) test.
3. Must have reliable transportation and a valid Washington State driver's license (or be able to obtain one by date of employment).
4. Employees and volunteers who operate their own or Friends of Youth vehicles on Friends of Youth business, must have a safe driving record as defined by Friends of Youth.
5. Employees and volunteers who operate their own vehicle(s) on Friends of Youth business must carry auto liability insurance that complies with the requirements of Friends of Youth.
6. Must successfully complete the following health certification requirements within 30 days of employment: CPR, First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens.
7. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required. There are no exemptions.

C. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

1. Able to engage with diverse populations in a culturally responsive manner. 
2. Demonstrate a commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring and celebrating diverse characteristics and expressions of personal identity.
3. Strong commitment to Friends of Youth’s mission, vision, and values.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
5. Excellent organizational and time-management skills. 
6. Able to maintain strong personal and professional boundaries. 
7. Able to work independently and as part of a team. 
8. Able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with youth and young adults. 
9. Able and willing to travel to multiple local sites and other locations in personal vehicle (mileage reimbursement provided). 
10. Proficient skill set with Microsoft Office programs.