The Case Manager, in conjunction with the VA Homeless Liaison, will provide case management services and independent living classes for homeless Veterans residing at Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Patriot Place Emergency Shelter/Safe Haven in Gaylord, Michigan. The Veterans Case Manager will serve Veterans who tend to have frequent and severe mental health, substance abuse or PTSD issues, lack family or community support, be poor at self-monitoring and frequently fail to comply with treatment or have significant deficits in coping skills and may require continuing professional services.

Essential Functions:

• Provide Case Management services
• Create Individualized Care Plans
• Perform biopsychosocial assessments
• Document client record using appropriate SOAP, SMART or SNAP format
• Make referrals to appropriate services
• Help Veterans apply for benefits
• Provide therapy/counseling
• Coordinate with VA liaison on Care Team
• Work with Veterans in areas of skill deficits that lead to homelessness
• Maintain client records in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the mission and vision of Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan.
• Perform work in a safe manner by observing all Goodwill and VA safety policies and procedures.
• Interact with all Goodwill team members, clients, and customers in a professional manner.
• Respect the diversity of others, including but not limited to, those with cultural, ethnic, and gender differences, individuals experiencing homelessness, and persons with visible and non-visible disabilities.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish rapport, conduct interviews and assessments, and develop comprehensive short- and long-term individualized plans of care to meet the need of the Veteran.
• Provide or coordinate on an ongoing basis, all necessary direct and indirect Veteran services consistent with resident’s individualized plan of care.
• Assist the Veterans in obtaining all the entitlements they are eligible to receive including, but not limited to, food stamps, section 8 housing, HUD-VASH, SSI/SSDI, educational and job re-training benefits and all Veterans benefits.
• Make independent professional decisions and recommendations as they relate to an individual Veteran as an integral part of the management team.
• Assist with the statistical and narrative portions of the monthly VA progress reports.
• Participate in case review meetings.
• Be familiar with intake and exit criteria and rules.
• Support Resident Manager and other members of the VA and Goodwill team.
• Provide emergency on call services as requested.
• Other duties as assigned by Program Director.

Reports to: Program Director

Supervises: None

Education, Licenses, Certifications and Experience:

• Master’s Degree in social work.
• Degree from a school fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year post – degree experience in the field of social work is required.
• Bachelor's Degree in social work with commensurate experience will be considered.
• Prior military service is desirable.
• Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record.
• Valid chauffeur’s license, or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Familiarity with local human service providers and other community resources and agencies.
• Knowledge of substance abuse disorders and mental illness.
• Effective communications skills, both verbal and written.
• Computer experience and expertise.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to use the HMIS (Homeless Management Information Services) system.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to work well with other team members.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision after training.
• Previous case management experience.
• Experience in grant writing.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to persons with disabilities or who are disadvantaged.
• Previous experience working with the Veteran population is desired.

Physical and Other Requirements:

• Varying daytime hours with some evening and weekend work required.
• On call 24/7 on a rotational or as needed basis.
• Able to sit, stand, work at a computer, bend lift 10-20lbs, kneel, twist.
• This position is considered a Safety Sensitive position and is subject to zero tolerance under the Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan Drug Free Workplace Policy.