Housing Services Case Manager

Description

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Since our founding in 1895 in Marin County as an orphanage – and through subsequent years as Sunny Hills Services – Side by Side has been at the forefront of best practices in child welfare, working with the most vulnerable youth in our community. Today, Side by Side operates in four counties – Marin, Alameda, Sonoma, and Napa – across the Bay Area, reaching nearly 2,000 children, young adults, and family members per year with much-needed services related to behavioral and mental health, early intervention in schools, LGBTQIA support, transitional housing for foster youth, and special education.

Side By Side places high value on individuals with a passion for helping underserved youth and families in a collaborative and inclusive work culture. We strive to work together to create a trauma-informed workplace where we walk the walk of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging principles.

COMPENSATION

This position has an hourly rate of pay of $30.00 to $34.00 based on experience and bilingual language skills.

BENEFITS

• 3 weeks of paid vacation for F/T employees increasing to 4 weeks of vacation after 2 years of service (for all non-school based employees).
• 2 weeks of sick leave for F/T employees with 2 additional sick days for direct service staff and 4 additional for school staff
• 10 paid holidays per year and 1 Self-Care Anniversary Day each year
• 100% employer-paid Medical for F/T employees including platinum level Kaiser Permanente insurance, Sutter Health or Anthem options
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Long Term Disability insurance up to $9,000 per month, plus $50,000 Life and AD&D insurance. Employees also have the option to purchase additional life insurance at their own cost.
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Professional development and other learning opportunities including unlimited access to over 1,000 behavioral health courses online. Side By Side is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• FREE Employee Assistance Program including up to 10 complimentary personal counseling sessions per problem, per year for staff and dependents
• Employee recognition program with $500 bonus awards
• Employee referral bonus of up to $1,000
• Pet Insurance

JOB SUMMARY

The Housing Services Case Manager (HSCM) provides case management services to transition age foster youth participating in the Transitional Housing Program Non-Minor Dependents (THP- NMD). The THP-NMD provides structured, supportive independent living for qualified youth, some of whom have a child or are pregnant, and/or have higher needs. The goal of the programs is to provide a safe environment so that youth may practice the skills necessary to be self-sufficient. Youth live independently in apartments with a roommate and regular assistance provided by their HSCM. The HCSM will carry a caseload up to 20 youth.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Meet with youth weekly to support with identified independent living skills goals, including but not limited to cooking, budgeting, shopping, cleaning, hygiene, laundry, financial management, activities of daily living.
• Provide appropriate support and interventions.
• Use a strengths-based approach with youth in creating a Transition Plan and developing and monitoring progress of monthly goals.
• · Responsible for writing clinical Progress Notes in accordance with Medi-Cal guidelines and within expected agency timeframes.
• Chart and record services are rendered in accordance with agency standards.
• Partner with youth in involving family and other informal and formal key players in planning services and supports for each youth. 
• Partner with youth in maintaining relationships with permanent support people and identifying opportunities to strengthen these relationships.
• Partner with youth in identifying community resources.
• Coordinate with community partners and providers to ensure the development, monitoring and completion of treatment goals related but not limited to mental health, housing resources, employment opportunities, and any other independent living needs.
• Partners with parenting and pregnant youth in accessing resources to help them to become successful parents, including but not limited to parenting classes, child development classes, etc.
• Ensure culturally sensitive and relevant treatment.
• Complete bimonthly stipend requests and monthly budget with each youth.
• Serve as a community liaison with court appointed advocates, medical providers and legal representatives.
• Serve as primary contact for Child Welfare Workers and Probation Officers.
• Plan and facilitate monthly groups/Community Meetings.
• Provide support and monitor youth during times of crisis.
• Support youth in moving in and moving out of program, including but not limited to packing up youth’s belongings and physically moving from one location to another.
• Work together with the Maintenance Technicians to ensure safe and secure housing.
• Complete monthly reports for tracking and statistical purposes.
• Complete Transition to Independent Living Assessments semiannually.
• On-call responsibilities, which includes being in a rotation with other HSCM’s, responding to youth in need of support after hours.
• Transport youth in personal vehicle daily. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and expectations required of the position.

AGENCY-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES

Ethical Conduct 

Understands and adheres to the Agency’s Code of Conduct demonstrates a high level of integrity in all internal and external activities and complies with the Employee Handbook and all other Agency policies, practices and procedures. Must maintain strict confidentiality related to client, staff and other Agency information

 Communication 

Able to inform verbally and in writing, with clarity and good effect and to understand clearly and quickly when instructions or orders are received. Includes judgment about what information is important and what is not, and what should be communicated, how, to whom and when. 

Judgment 

Able to make decisions in a timely fashion that are sound, accurate and supported by the reasoning and inclusion of appropriate people. Includes the ability to recognize, address and propose solutions to problems that arise. 

Safety

The employee is safety conscious about the work environment. The work area is free of debris to prevent trips and slip hazards. All products and equipment are stored in their proper location. All safety devices are in their proper location, are functional, and utilized effectively on a consistent basis. Standard operating procedures and safety work rules are followed daily.

Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of the foster care system
• Knowledge of the obstacles current and former foster youth face
• Understanding of youth development/youth-adult partnership frameworks
• Knowledge of Child Development
• Knowledge of the cycle of Domestic Violence
• Knowledge of Parenting skills and bonding techniques
• Knowledge of the effects of Substance Abuse a harm reduction framework
• Knowledge of youth-friendly community resources and public welfare system
• Understanding of trauma-informed care (TIC) approach

Work Quality

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, particularly Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Electronic Health Record experience a plus

Adaptability/Flexibility

• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently

Teamwork

• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with youth and families, as well as other permanent support people and professionals
• Enthusiastic and strengths-based approach to partnering with youth and collaborating with peers.

Action Oriented/Initiative

• Commitment to effectiveness, prioritizing efficiency and follow-through.

Professionalism/Self-Regulation

• Commitment to self-reflection and personal awareness as a means of being able to remain emotionally available and connected with youth, and function as an engaged team-member

Cultural Responsiveness

• Commitment to working in a diverse workplace, and self-awareness regarding issues of race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/spirituality and disability.
• Passion for working with a diverse group of Transition Age Youth (TAY) including youth of color, LGBTQ youth, and youth with disabilities.
• Ability to view families, both biological and chosen, as resources and support systems for youth, and commitment to involve families in services.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS in Social Science field; or equivalent experience in mental health field required
• At least 2 years of experience working with transition age youth, preferably current and/or former foster youth
• Fulfillment of TB clearance, fingerprinting and state clearance, and any other mandatory state/federal requirements.
• A valid California driver's license, dependable personal automobile for use on the job, insurable by Side by Side’s insurance policy based on DMV record and personal vehicle insurance.
• Spanish speaking encouraged to apply

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sitting, walking, standing for extended periods of time
• Twisting and bending for brief periods of time.
• Occasional reaching and/or grasping using hands and/or arms.
• Regular use of hands requiring dexterity in using the telephone, computer keyboard, mouse or calculator.
• May be required to use cleaning products, and assist clients with cleaning and moving belongings
• Regularly required to talk and hear in person or by telephone.
• Visual ability to read documents and computer monitor.
• May be required to lift up to 30 pounds.
• May be required to ascend/descend stairs.
• Exposure to low to moderate noise levels characteristic of working in an office or client environments.
• Ability to drive to various sites.

Side by Side provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  

Salary : $30 - $34