Description

Job description

Position Overview

United Community has a 50-year history pursuing a mission of empowering adults, children, and families to transform their lives. As the region’s “Backbone Agency” providing comprehensive human services to low-income and disadvantaged residents in southeastern Fairfax County, United Community serves an average of 6,000-8,000 unduplicated residents annually through multiple programs in support of our aspiration to end or prevent multigenerational poverty in our region, or #DefytheGravityofPoverty.

The Case Manager

Case Manager works under the direct supervision of the Director of Self-Sufficiency. This is a full-time position in clinical case management. The Case Manager is an integral member of the Stepping Stones team providing a full range of case management services to ensure that each Stepping Stones client is provided a comprehensive continuum of care. Collaboratively works with the Director of Stepping Stones in overseeing program implementation and in directing the improvement and resolution of service delivery problems. Work experience in developing, implementing, monitoring, and managing case plans and overseeing caseload management is essential to this position.

Requirements

The Stepping Stones Case Manager will work with the entire Stepping Stones service delivery team in implementing strategies for transforming the lives of our neighbors in need. This position includes administering comprehensive self-sufficiency assessments; assisting clients in identifying goals and objectives; creating result-oriented action plans; monitoring and evaluating progress; and identifying and linking clients to all available community resources and services. The Case manager must have an empathic understanding of the client situation; cultural awareness of and sensitivity to people of diverse cultural backgrounds; the ability to maintain clear and firm boundaries in holding clients accountable to their set goals; and the organizational ability to manage multiple competing priorities. As a member of the Case Management team, the Case Manager must work collaboratively with both the Stepping Stones team and other external agencies in providing holistic service to the clients.

Reporting and Supervision

The Stepping Stones Case Manager will report directly to the Senior Director of Stepping Stones program who oversees the Stepping Stones program.

Outcomes

? Within 30 days, has read and understood the Employee Personnel Manual.

? Within 30 days, has understood how to enter clients in ETO client database and including understanding of client confidentiality and duty to warn as a mandated reporter.

? Within 30 days, has participated in pantry food operation to include intake of clients at the reception desk, pantry food distribution, restocking and other assigned duties to understand client experience and the necessary chain of activities that go into making food available to the clients.

? Within 60 days has mastered how to complete comprehensive assessments using Stepping Stones assessment tools in order to use information and results obtained to assist clients to identify both long- and short-term goals and the steps/objectives towards achieving their set goals.

? Within 60 days, has worked with Stepping Stones team to understand the different service activities in the program, how each relates to the overall goal of moving clients to increase their self-sufficiency, and how to process clients’ financial assistance requests for rental, utilities, dental/prescription medication, and food.

? Within 60 days, has made significant progress in understanding Stepping Stones collaborative partnerships with the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning, BritePaths, N. Virginia Dental Services, and other community organizations and how resources are leveraged in guiding clients towards increasing their self-sufficiency.

Responsibilities

In addition to the outcomes listed above, the Stepping Stones Case Manager will also spend their time in the following ways:

? Interview clients to understand their presenting needs and their strengths in order to empower them to become the change agents in their lives.

? Use Stepping Stones assessment tools and the Fairfax County Self-Sufficiency Matrix to capture clients’ baseline score.

? Use assessment information to guide clients to identify their individual, realistic and measurable goals within a time frame and the action plans towards achieving the goals. Client goals must be unique to their presenting issues in conjunction with both agency and contractual agreement outcomes.

? Evaluate, monitor, track, and review client service plans at the agreed time, make course correction if goals were not attained or if clients’ situation changes.

? Refer and link clients to both internal and external resources that are critical to their success.

? Process clients’ financial assistance requests for rental, utilities, dental/prescription medication, and food.

? Work with the Fairfax County Coordinated Services Planning (CSP) team to leverage resources to meet clients’ needs. Use both internal and external resources to engage clients in a manner that would enhance their ability to succeed.

? Guide clients to apply for mainstream benefits including SSI/SSDI, TANF, Medicaid, childcare subsidy, General Assistance, SNAP, WIC, etc.

? Assist clients who are unemployed or seeking to acquire skills to job readiness and skills development programs that would enhance their ability to succeed and be on the path to increasing their self-sufficiency.

? Record client services and outcomes in ETO and any other reporting platforms required by funders . ETO services must be recorded on the day of service except in extenuating circumstances, which must be communicated to the immediate supervisor.

? Track client outcomes to the degrees of the impact made in their situation using their baseline scores to their point-in-time scores for trends and changes.

? Work collaboratively with the Stepping Stones team, other United Community’s programs and other external programs as needed.

? Attend Stepping Stones biweekly meetings and any other required meetings, staff development training etc.

? All other duties as required for the safe and efficient operation of the Stepping Stones program and the overall agency.

Required Qualifications

-Bilingual English-Spanish preferred.

-Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field. MSW degree is preferred.

-Or at least 3 years’ experience working in eligibility assessments, service coordination, targeted case management and client advocacy programs.

-Demonstrated knowledge of and experience working with low to moderate-income families and the vulnerable population.

-Proven experience in motivational interviewing techniques.

-Demonstrated commitment to the United Community’s mission.

Skills Required

? Ability to be empathically attuned to clients’ situations.

? A desired determination and ability to provide comprehensive and holistic services to individuals, children, and families.

? Ability to work with clients not over them and at the same time hold them accountable.

? Demonstrated ability in building rapport with clients in a trusting and respectful manner.

? Ability to understand one’s own individual biases, judgmental tendencies while working with clients, especially the vulnerable population.

? Proven ability in managing client-worker relationships especially in difficult situations using de-escalation techniques.

? Ability to assist clients to understand their strengths and capabilities and as such, empower them.

? Excellent written and oral communication skills.

? Excellent organizational skills.

? Ability to create strategic and work/implementation plans.

? Demonstrated success in records-management and achievement of program outcomes.

? Ability to work independently, and in partnership with others to achieve desired results.

? Proficiency in: Data entry and reporting, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite.

? The ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

? Ability to meet U.S. Department of Justice and Virginia Child Protective Service requirements for employment verification and background checks.

The Stepping Stones Case Manager will primarily work at the main office or at other United Community’s sites as needed. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The person in this position frequently communicates with program staff and other stakeholders. Filing is required. This would require the ability to move files, open filing cabinets and bend, stoop, crouch or stand as necessary. Carry up to 20lbs from one area to another.

Travel

Access to a car and a clean driving record is essential for this role. Travel to and from satellite United Community locations and meeting sites with a 3–10-mile radius. Mileage reimbursement for travel may be provided.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: Up to $60,000.00 per year