Housing Stabilization Care Manager
Job Title: Housing Stabilization Care Manager
Department: Services
Classification: Exempt
Reports to: Housing Programs Manager
SUMMARY: The Bridge is seeking a Care Manager to work with individuals who are at risk of homelessness to provide insight and information to divert them from the homeless response system, where possible, and screen for prevention services and care management, where needed. This individual will work closely with the RRH, care management and intake teams and will provide ongoing housing stabilization services to maintain housing retention for individuals identified as needing financial prevention assistance.
DIVERSION RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Maintain regular office hours answering the shelter hotline number to provide referrals and resources to individuals calling for assistance who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Maintain working knowledge of urgent and emergency services such as domestic violence shelters, crisis intervention hotlines, and general shelter system intake processes.
• Maintain working knowledge of general resources such as benefit assistance providers, food banks, or mediation services that could assist in the homeless diversion process.
• Establish quick rapport with individuals calling for assistance and provide referrals and resources to at risk individuals seeking homeless intervention services.
• Complete diversion screening and coordinate with emergency shelter staff to assist in program or shelter referrals, successful transitions, and placement where diversion is not possible.
PREVENTION AND CARE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
• For individuals who have completed the diversion screening and been identified as a prevention services candidate, complete prevention application package and documentation, as required, for review, approval, and final timely submission to finance for payment processing for all eligible guests.
• Identify and build up to a revolving caseload of roughly 10-15 housing stabilization guests being assisted at any given time.
• Develop clearly written individualized service plans to promote self-sufficiency and resolve barriers to overall housing stability including permanent housing stability, income, and employment barriers for all housing stabilization guests.
• Maintain accurate documentation in all states of the housing stabilization program in guest related data tracking systems, including case notes.
• Regularly visit, both virtually and in person, when required, all housing stabilization guests for the duration of prevention services being rendered.
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to quickly establish rapport, trust, and boundaries with guests.
• Capable of working independently to achieve stated program goals with minimum day to day supervision.
• Knowledge of psychosocial theory, best practice methods in care management and social work ethics.
• Experience with homeless management data tracking systems such as Client Track a plus.
• Working knowledge of local community resources is highly preferred. • Reliable transportation (automobile), current driver’s license and valid liability insurance is required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field. Master’s degree preferred. Extensive professional experience in the field may be considered in lieu of preferred formal education requirements.
• Professional experience working with homeless or low-income individuals in a case management capacity.
• Housing and follow up case management experience is a plus.
IMPORTANT QUALITIES:
• Compassion: Must have compassion for homeless population and be able to show compassion in stressful and difficult situations
• Interpersonal Skills: Must be able to make our guests in shelter and in housing feel comfortable in discussing sensitive issues and barriers.
• Organizational Skills: This position requires proper documentation and that all reporting is accurate, well documented, and completed in a timely manner.
• Problem Solving Skills: This position works with guests, housing navigator, care management team and leadership to solve any issues that prevent housing placement or may threaten continuation of housing for program participants.
• Time Management Skills: This position must multi-task and track closely each guest’s independent timeline as they process through the program and ensure intakes, recertification, and exits are all done in a timely manner based on each guest’s stage in program completion.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS:
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License with current Auto Liability Insurance.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
• This position will work both on site at the Bridge homeless recovery center as well as throughout the community at various apartment complexes where guests are housed. This position requires extensive interaction with the homeless population we serve. It requires standing, sitting and walking. Extensive use of a computer.
• This position must understand the possibility of exposure to inside environmental conditions such as infectious / communicable diseases, blood and bloodborne diseases, odors, and dust. There is also the possibility of physical and/or verbal abuse from guest.
• It is recommended that employees get tested for TB every six months or as often as they choose. The Bridge offers free testing. See Human Resources on the testing schedule.
NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
TO APPLY, FILL OUT THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION AND EMAIL IT TO MONAE CONLEY AT MCONLEY@BRIDGEHRC.ORG ALONG WITH THE POSITION YOU ARE APPLYING FOR AND YOUR RESUME.