Case Manager
Job Description
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND
Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) is a community development corporation serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The CEDC was founded in 1981. CEDC’s core program areas are development and construction of rental housing for very low- and low-income households; property management; and resident and community services. CEDC provides services to individuals experiencing homelessness by providing high quality services.
THE POSITION
Under the supervision of the Director of Resident and Community Services, the Case Manager performs a variety of functions vital to support the operations of each property with low-income households, previously homeless and/or disabled, and mentally ill residents. Case management is specifically focused on permanent supportive housing residents and others with special needs on housing retention and stability. Case management provides comprehensive supportive services by providing individual/family support to comply with the lease agreement and to establish positive relationships with neighbors and management personnel. Case management will provide support in accessing community resources to support individual resident plans and housing goals while managing behaviors that may interfere with success in housing, developing plans, connecting with appropriate community organizations, and supporting the growth of client’s overall individual self-efficiency and mental health.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Case Manager is responsible for providing direct, on property site, assistance and support to residents experiencing a housing crisis and homelessness through clinical engagement and intensive case management services across the Cabrillo Rental Portfolio. These services include, but are not limited to, the following: providing psychoeducation on social and living skills, providing supportive counseling, crisis interventions; developing and promoting housing readiness; dedication to the mission of housing populations such as low-income households, veterans, the disabled, the elderly and other special needs populations who are currently homeless. Working as part of an interdisciplinary team of professionals to engage and provide case management services to intensive high needs homeless/formerly homeless individuals with active mental illness, and substance abuse disorders and co- occurring mental disorders and/or medical conditions. Accurately assessing the psychosocial functioning and needs of individuals and their families. Conducting psychosocial assessments, providing service coordination, referrals, linkages, and identifying individualized case plans/treatment goals.
The Case Manager provides high quality services and is responsible for the overall documentation and maintenance of client records, mandated reporting, and meeting with clients on a weekly basis to check on progress and re-evaluate case plans as necessary.
THE POSITION IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR:
- Development and implementation of a housing plan and participant budget for each program participant. This also includes revaluation of case plans as necessary.
- Extensive coordination within multiple internal and external systems that include developing and maintaining positive relationships with the Housing Authority, the Ventura County Behavioral Health, the Veteran’s Administration, among other community partners and resource that are intended to facilitate optimal outcomes for households to live in permanent housing.
- Maintaining contact with all housing clients on a scheduled basis, appropriate to their specific status and needs.
- Completing and abiding by documentation and maintenance of client’s records in compliance to HIPAA, HMIS databases, HCD and TCAC on mandated services.
- Proactive and solutions-focused, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing approach to case management.
- Ensuring compliance with data standards and record-keeping as required by specific plans.
- Conduct initial meeting and assessments for each participant accessing services to build rapport and relationship while evaluating participants’ housing needs, history, barriers, and available supportive services.
- Develop and engage participants in a concrete and tailored Housing Stability Plan for each client to determine appropriate permanent housing intervention and service needs.
- Connect residents to community resources that will support the goal to remain housed by providing resources to (e.g., benefits advocacy, food pantries, employment services, mental health)
- Assess and seek consultation through regular case conferencing with assigned caseworkers or other mental health professionals to assist when participants are experiencing an immediate need, crisis, or emergency that jeopardize the resident’s safety and the safety of others (e.g., child abuse reporting, assessing for suicidal or homicidal risks or threats, etc.)
- Facilitate access to services needed to support housing readiness and reduce impact of barriers (e.g., childcare, credit repair, legal aid, housekeeping, money management, tenant rights and responsibilities, etc.)
- Coordinate with the Property Management team to ensure clients have the necessary documents to secure housing (e.g., valid identification, income verification, bank statements, etc.)
- Meet with residents on a weekly basis to review their progress and ensure that they understand the housing tenant rights and responsibilities, including observation of rental agreement rules and maintaining good tenancy.
- Engage and assist client with applying for permanent subsidy or low-income housing assistance programs including, but not limited to, Section 8 certification, EHAP, and CalWorks Homeless Move-In Assistance Program, etc.
- Participate in individual and group supervision, agency, and community meetings as directed by supervisor.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:
- Strong knowledge of social service, public assistance, legal, corrections, health care, substance abuse, veterans, mental health care and other systems associated with target population.
- Ability to demonstrate empathy and a non-judgmental attitude when engaging with caseload.
- Strong ability to advocate effectively on behalf of low income and/or the unhoused.
- Desire to work with families and individuals experiencing homelessness/risk factors from a trauma-informed and strength-based approach.
- Must be flexible and demonstrate ability to adapt and thrive in fast-paced and challenging environments.
- Knowledge of case management services and clinical approaches of Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction Models are preferred.
- Knowledge of fair housing laws and tenant relations.
- Strong ability to multi-task in a mission-driven organization with high standards of ethics and individual morals.
- Familiarity and experience with implementation of the Coordinated Entry System (CES), HMIS/ICMS.
- Strong computing skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point)
- Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in social work or a related field plus two (2) years of experience in social services, OR a master’s degree in social work or a related field with one (1) year of demonstrated case management.
LICENSES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A valid California driver’s License and proof of automobile liability insurance.
CEDC IS PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER