What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Case Manager position at One80 Place?
Description
The Veteran Community Case Manager conducts outreach activities and provides community-based case management to homeless individuals and families who may be in the following settings: encampments, on the street, places not meant for human habitation, etc. Through outreach and case management support, these individuals are assisted in resolving their immediate basic needs, assessed for possible placement in emergency shelter, connected to coordinated entry and establishing a housing plan. Community case managers will use housing first, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches to service delivery. The Veteran Community Case Manager will maintain the client relationship until a warm hand off to a Housing Case Manager or another VA Homeless Program can occur.
The Veteran Community Case Manager must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time, be comfortable working for long periods in homeless encampments and other areas where people experiencing homelessness congregate and may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, etc.
The Veteran Community Case Manager position is funded in whole by the VA through One80 Place’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. The position will dedicate 100% of their time on engaging with those experiencing homelessness and connecting Veterans to SSVF and other appropriate VA Homeless Programs. Preference will be given to Veteran applicants.
One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in Charleston.
STATUS: Full-time, Regular/ Exempt
Requirements
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
1. Is passionate about ending and preventing homelessness.
2. Knowledge and belief in a housing with support services approach.
3. Ability to provide trauma informed services and utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction principles.
4. Knowledge, skills, and abilities consistent with a degree in a human services related field, or minimum three years related experience, including lived experience of homelessness or housing insecurity.
5. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
6. Excellent computer skills including basic office programs and the ability to learn and utilize the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.
7. Ability to work independently and as part of a fast-paced team.
8. Ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.
9. Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, social service agencies, and landlords.
10. Valid driver’s license and use of reliable transportation for outreach and housing navigation activities.
11. Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served.
12. A commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
13. Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
14. Willing to travel to throughout the seven-county Lowcountry Continuum of Care service area.
15. Demonstrate professionalism in all areas with clients and staff in accordance with the One80 Place employee handbook.
16. Support and demonstrate One80 Place’s mission, vision, and values.
SPECIFIC DUTIES:
1. Provide targeted street outreach, assuring appropriate geographic coverage, to communities within the CoC service area to identify unsheltered individuals living in encampments, on the street, or places not meant for human habitation.
2. Work with clients to complete the CoC assessment and prioritization tool to provide them access to services in a streamlined way, have their strengths and needs assessed and provide quick connections to housing and other services (Coordinated Entry (CE)). Veterans have an expedited referral process.
3. Ensure that encounters and interactions are respectful and responsive to the beliefs and practices, sexual orientations, disability statuses, age, gender identities, cultural preferences, and linguistic needs of all individuals.
4. Develop and maintain knowledge of resources, and services available to participants.
5. Deliver high quality crisis intervention and seek appropriate support to assist in difficult or emergency client situations.
6. Assist in developing housing plans and make connections to stable housing with tailored services and support based on client choice, such as health and behavioral health care, transportation, access to benefits, and more.
7. Perform warm handoffs to shelter, housing, and other service provider staff once housing has been obtained (e.g., outreach staff may offer to physically accompany the individual to appointments to provide support).
8. Utilize problem-solving techniques to identify strengths and existing support networks, explore possible safe housing options outside the homelessness service system, such as reunification with family, and connect the individual to community supports and services.
9. Work in collaboration with other One80 Place team members and community providers to remove barriers to permanent housing: e.g., acquisition of identification, legal services, benefits assistance, assistance in obtaining income (SSI/SSD), etc.
10. Ensure timely and accurate HMIS data entry and maintenance and complete annual and update training requirements for HMIS.
11. Attend and participate in internal staff meetings and with partner agencies to effectively coordinate service delivery for clients engaged through outreach.
12. Participates in agency events such as the annual Homeless Point in Time Count.
13. Keep an ongoing log of outreach activities as required by the SSVF Program.
14. Other duties as assigned.
PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS:
1. Requires sound mental reasoning, sound judgment, and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in a crisis.
2. Requires the ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.
3. Requires corrective vision and hearing to normal range; ability to move between service locations; ability to lift 25 lbs.
4. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
5. Comfortable working in homeless encampments and other areas where people experiencing homelessness may congregate.
6. Exposure to weather conditions, such as heat, rain, etc.
Salary : $50,000 - $53,750