Youth Transitional Housing Case Manager

Professional

Headquarters - Walter Reed, WASHINGTON, DC, US

Housing Up is one of the leading non-profit organizations in Washington DC – helping more than 700 homeless and at-risk households to transform their own lives. We provide the full spectrum of housing, which includes permanent supportive, rapid rehousing, transitional, and affordable rental housing. Households also receive supportive services include case management, employment services, clinical services, housing counseling, resident services, life skills, and youth programming.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Youth Transitional Housing Case Manager is responsible for delivering intensive services for transition-aged youth clients (ages 18 – 24) who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. Additionally, clients may be economically and/or emotionally detached from their support network. Through this work, the case manager will help youth improve basic life and interpersonal skills, access educational opportunities, assist with job preparation and attainment, access physical and mental health care, and obtain stable housing. The case manager will also link youth with public benefits, such as SNAP and Medicaid. Ultimately, these services are focused on quickly moving youth out of homelessness, preventing a return to shelter, and ensuring that they are empowered to achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency possible. While participating in this program, clients will live at a site-based transitional housing program, located in Washington, DC.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•    Complete regular assessments of strengths and needs and identify supportive and accessible services that meet the immediate needs.
•    Influence and recognize positive behavior changes and identify problems and obstacles that threaten to undermine the client’s goals.
•    Develop mutually agreed upon client-identified goals and objectives.
•    Assist clients with identifying the steps required to accomplish goals in order to move towards greater self-sufficiency.
•    Assist clients in advocating for and obtaining benefits, entitlements, and legal services.
•    Provide referrals as needed to supportive services and work collaboratively as a team to advance the goals of the client.
•    Provide crisis intervention services and if necessary, refer clients for psychiatric assessment.
•    Responsible for care coordination with service providers for clients, including primary and ongoing medical, mental health, substance abuse, and supportive services.
•    Maintain current and well-organized records in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database and paper case files, documenting interactions with residents in a standardized format used by Housing Up.
•    Provide at least weekly face to face case management services.
•    Works closely with client’s families – as clinically appropriate – and puts services in place that facilitate strong connections or that address relational patterns that precipitated the presenting problems.

•    Establish new and maintain existing partnerships with community-based agencies for the purpose of serving clients.
•    Develop and maintain community partnerships with other providers.
•    Ensure the integrity and confidentiality of all client information.
•    Participate in Housing Up special events, helping to share information about Housing Up and working, as needed, to ensure event success.
•    Participate in trainings, as required.
•    Perform other duties as assigned.
•    Coordinate daily activities for the Program
•    Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

•    Bachelor’s degree in a field of study related to human services.

APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILLS

•    One (1) year of experience working with young adults is preferred.
•    Sensitivity to the needs of youth (particularly youth of color, LGBTQ, low-income, and those who have experienced trauma) who are homeless or at risk for homelessness.
•    Familiarity with the Strengths-Based and Housing First approaches to case management.
•    Well-versed in trauma-informed service delivery, with experience executing this approach in housing programs.
•    Ability to provide services with empathy and with consideration of how trauma impacts the mental, physical, and psychological responses of clients.
•    Demonstrated ability to partner with youth who have experienced mental health challenges, trauma, crisis, and community stress and successfully empower them to overcome their challenges.
•    Ability to establish and maintain trusting relationships – patience & perseverance.
•    Ability to de-escalates crises.
•    Excellent verbal, written and problem-solving abilities. An upbeat demeanor is required.
•    Working knowledge of DC area community resources to address client needs.
•    Knowledge of substance abuse/recovery, family systems, and mental health care.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills.
•    Strong documentation and reporting skills.
•    Strong planning and organizational skills.
•    Ability to prioritize effectively while managing multiple tasks and responsibilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL EFFORT

•    The case manager will primarily work from a site-based transitional housing program in Washington, DC, which operates 24 hours, 7 days weekly. Employees here will require flexibility to work night and/or weekend shifts on a regular basis.
•    Requires ability to sit up to 3-6 hours per day with intermittent occasional walking and standing.
•    Must be available to participate in after hours on-call rotation, as well as be on call during inclement weather.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

•    Candidate must be computer literate and be able to navigate MS Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
•    Candidate must also possess a valid driver’s license and have a vehicle, as well as proof of auto insurance.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

$45k - $50k, commensurate with education and work experience

CONTACT

To learn more about us, please visit. https://www.housingup.org