POSITION SUMMARY
Through a professional and effective relationship with agency clients, the Case Manager provides people experiencing homelessness with connections to resources using a therapeutic approach aimed at meeting people where they are at and helping them advance from homelessness to housed. As a group, PADS Case Managers provide clients with individual, family, prevention & diversion, and healthcare support.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provide individuals and families with case management services within designated agency programs in an effort to address the challenges of homelessness with compassion and respect.
- Knowledge, understanding, and implementation of the principles of housing first, and harm reduction in service provision.
- Provide an atmosphere of customer service in assuring that clients are treated in a friendly and respectful manner
- Collaborate with community agencies to provide the best service options possible to clients.
- Focus on client empowerment and evidence based or adopted best practices in providing services, seeking to assist clients to build on strengths in addressing treatment needs.
- Coordinate and provide care that is safe, timely, effective, equitable, and client-centered.
- Provide services that are equitable and always client focused while working with a diverse population.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
Client Services
- Identify immediate needs per information from the initial intake and and develop a plan to meet those needs in partnership with the client.
- Provide direct case management services to clients, including linking clients to community resources.
- Conduct crisis intervention/evaluation/referral to persons who present themselves at PADS programs.
- Facilitate educational groups for clients in such areas as life skills, communication and conflict management.
- Provide and understand initial and ongoing assessment, clinical diagnosis, development and implementation of internal Service Plan according to agency policy and external assessments.
- Coordinate treatment with other staff and external agencies (as needed).
- Provide outreach services to individuals.
- Maintain regular contact with entire caseload.
- Consult with supervisor regarding client level of services needed.
- Assist clients in obtaining public entitlements, housing, community resources, etc.
- Attend staffing with other community agencies as needed.
- Organize and participate in client staffing.
- Implement Coordinated Entry per System Coordination and Entry Policies and Procedures.
General
- Assist in the facilitation of transportation of clients using agency/own vehicle.
- Complete ongoing assessment self-training needs, reporting findings and suggestions to Program Manager.
- Ensure accurate data quality standards in HMIS – no less than 90% accuracy for the program
- Ensure all documentation is completed timely and accurately according to agency policy.
- Ensure adherence to professional standards as outlined by governmental bodies and organizations, including but not limited to, National Association of Social Workers, American psychiatric Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Association, Illinois Alcohol & Addictions Certification Board, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, etc.
- Acquire and utilize knowledge of HMIS/Service Point data base, word processing software, and Microsoft Outlook for email and calendar.
- Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, and seminars to facilitate professional growth.
- Take responsibility for training in and documenting chart requirements to meet program and HUD/ESG standards.
- Must meet minimum productivity expectations.
- Ensure use of motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, housing first, and harm reduction methods when working with all individuals/families experiencing homelessness.
- Research best practice service models for chronically homeless, shelters and housing support.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
Education / Experience
- 1-5 years’ experience in case management; support in a homeless population preferred
- Bachelor’s Degree required (or equivalent experience accepted)
- Valid Illinois driver’s license with a “clean” record.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Excellent team building
- Knowledge of HUD/ESG preferred
- Knowledge of tenant and landlord rights/laws
- Effective personal organization and time management
- Strong communication skills
- Technology proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite
- Detail oriented
- Able to work independently and problem solve
- Ability to identify gaps in procedures and services a develop a better plan
- Self-starter
- Kneel and move from sitting, bending, kneeling or standing multiple times a day.
- Push, pull, and lift objects up to 25 pounds.
- Climb up and down up to 3 flights of stairs at a time.
- Demonstrates a passion for the PADS mission and does so in a consistent and professional manner
Hours and Working Conditions
- Scheduling flexibility may be required; including evening and weekend hours'
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $42,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed
Education:
Experience:
- Social Work: 2 years (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Work Location: In person