Community Case Manager

Description

The Community Case Manager conducts outreach activities and provides community-based case management to homeless individuals and families and who may be in the following settings: encampments, on the street and places not meant for human habitat. Through outreach and case management support, these individuals are assisted in resolving their immediate basic needs, assessed for possible placement in emergency shelter, connected to coordinated entry and establishing a housing plan.

Community case managers will use housing first, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches to service delivery. The Community Case Manager will maintain the client relationship until the individual is safely housed and follow-up is then transferred to a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) or Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) housing case manager or terminated if the individual chooses not to continue services.

The Community Case Manager must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time, be comfortable working for long periods in homeless encampments and other areas where people experiencing homelessness congregate and may be exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as heat, cold, rain, etc.

The Community Case Manager position is funded wholly through HUD’s Supplemental NOFO. The Community Case Manager will dedicate 100% of their time working with unsheltered individuals and families engaged through outreach.

One80 Place ends and prevents homelessness throughout South Carolina with offices located in Charleston and Columbia. This position will be based in Charleston.

STATUS: Full-Time, Regular/ Exempt

Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field (or equivalent experience).

2. 2+ years experience working underserved populations, particularly those impacted by homelessness.

3. Strong communication, de-escalation and relationship building skills.

4. Knowledge of crisis intervention and service coordination.

5. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and ethical standards.

6. Ability to deal effectively with conflict and crisis in a calm manner to foster a positive resolution.

7. Excellent computer skills including basic office programs and the ability to learn and utilize the HMIS database.

8. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

9. Ability to travel throughout the 7-county service area of the Low Country Continuum of Care in a personal vehicle or company-provided vehicle.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1. Provide targeted street outreach, assuring appropriate geographic coverage, to communities within the CoC service area to identify unsheltered individuals living in encampments, on the street, or places not meant for human habitation, etc.

2. Work with clients to complete the CoC assessment and prioritization tool to provide them access to services in a streamlined way, have their strengths and needs assessed and provide quick connections to housing and other services (Coordinated Entry (CE)).

3. Ensure that encounters and interactions are respectful and responsive to the beliefs and practices of all individuals.

4. Develop and maintain knowledge of resources and services available to participants.

5. Deliver high quality crisis intervention and seek appropriate support to assist in difficult or emergency client situations.

6. Assist in developing housing plans and make connections to stable housing with tailored services and support based on client choice, such as health and behavioral health care, transportation, access to benefits, and more.

7. Perform warm handoffs to shelter, housing, and other service provider staff once housing has been obtained (e.g., outreach staff may offer to physically accompany the individual to appointments to provide support).

8. Utilize problem-solving techniques to identify strengths and existing support networks, explore possible safe housing options outside the homelessness service system, such as reunification with family, and connect the individual to community supports and services.

9. Work in collaboration with other One80 Place team members and community providers to remove barriers to permanent housing: e.g., acquisition of identification, legal services, benefits assistance, assistance in obtaining income (SSI/SSD), etc.

10. Ensure timely and accurate HMIS data entry and maintenance and complete annual and update training requirements for HMIS.

11. Attend and participate in internal staff meetings and with partner agencies to effectively coordinate service delivery for clients engaged through outreach.

12. Participates in agency events such as the annual Homeless Point in Time Count.

13. Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SENSORY DEMANDS:

1. Requires sound mental reasoning, sound judgment, and the ability to respond calmly and effectively in a crisis.

2. Requires the ability to relate effectively to individuals experiencing homelessness.

3. Requires corrective vision and hearing to normal range; ability to move between service locations; ability to lift 25 lbs.

4. Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.

5. Comfortable working in homeless encampments and other areas people experiencing homelessness may congregate.

6. Exposure to weather conditions, such as heat, rain, etc.