What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Case Manager - Montgomery County position at Pathways To Housing DC Inc?
Youth Case Manager
MoCo Reconnect Youth Drop-in Center
The MoCo ReConnect Drop-in Center is a unique approach in Montgomery County as the only dedicated youth space specifically centering the needs of youth ages 16-24, particularly those impacted by housing insecurity, seeking alternative opportunities to traditional education pathways, or just needing a safe space to feel heard and valued. The Drop-in center brings together, for the first time under one roof, a collaboration of agencies providing outreach, case management, education, housing assistance, and employment training. The Drop-in center provides additional services such as meals, laundry, showers, mental health supports, sexual health education, relationship building, and civic engagement.
Youth Case Managers are youth mentors who work intentionally and deliberately to build transforming relationships with disconnected youth. The Youth Case Manager functions as an integral team member, reflecting the essential value that youth, peer, and ally partnerships provide for the organization's strength and uniqueness. The Youth Case Manager is responsible for providing referrals, support and follow-up over an extended period of time to the youth. They will also provide mentoring, skill development, guidance, and advocacy so that each youth achieves the goals of increased academic success, transition to work, and improvement in healthy behaviors.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to support clients as they work to improve their mental wellness, physical health, and social connectedness;
- Completes intakes and needs assessments for youth wanting to access case management services.
- Builds authentic, caring, and affirming relationships with MoCo Reconnect youth
- Coordinates with other community agencies to facilitate the accomplishment of case management goals, including housing and economic empowerment
- Provides a trauma-informed approach to youth, colleagues, and self
- Provides advocacy, crisis de-escalation, and ongoing support
- Maintains contact with service providers to ensure clients' needs are being met
- Provides youth flexible, responsive case management that addresses their variety of needs including accessing shelter; obtaining identification; enrolling in high school, GED programs, and college; navigating financial aid; accessing public benefits; connecting to health, mental health, and substance abuse care; accessing childcare; connecting to employment and permanent housing; and other supports.
- Provides support at MoCo Reconnect Drop-in Center (Drop-in hours 10-6, Monday through Friday)
- Maintain written and computerized records; compile reports and complete other program documentation within contractual timeframe.
- Perform related work as assigned;
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in social work or related field OR 4 years’ experience in mental health services/human services;
- Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, ability, and desire to work with unstably housed and disconnected youth;
- Ability to provide effective and immediate crisis intervention for youth
- Excellent communication, writing, database management, and computer skills;
- Bilingual in English/Spanish PREFERRED (BONUS OFFERED);
- Ability to facilitate support groups
BENEFITS:
- 15 days of vacation to start plus 11 paid holidays
- 10 Paid Sick/Wellness leave
- Health Insurance (singles, partner, and family coverage offered), including an employer sponsored HSA account to offset the cost of copays and healthcare services
- Dental & Vision insurance
- Employer paid LTD Pathways' paid life insurance 403b Match
- Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
- Many additional employee paid services such as legal coverage, Short Term Disability, and pre-tax commuter benefits