SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Case Managers assist young adults in achieving transitional housing and accessing medical, educational, social, prevocational, rehabilitative, or other needed community services for eligible clients and families who are transitioning out of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or the Probation Department. Targeted population includes TAY (18 to 24-year-old youth) who are at risk of becoming homeless due to transitioning out of DCFS or Probation. The program utilizes a Community Based Scattered Site Model to provide transitional housing to the participants.  Case Managers provide an array of services in support of the Housing Program’s goal of promoting a young adult’s emotional well-being.  The Case Manager’s intensive home-based services ensure that young adults are actively engaged in the various resources/services provided (i.e., mental health, health care, job training/coaching, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition, etc.). The Case Manager supports youth to uphold housing program expectations and to develop and meet goals towards their progress.  The home visits are focused on building independent life skills and healthy relationships and promoting self-sufficiency to prevent homelessness. 

The Case Manager promotes a strengths-based approach to service that empowers families, supports a community-based philosophy of service, and ensures that all services are aligned with Wellnest’s mission, vision, and core values. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts comprehensive needs assessments with young adults and assists them in obtaining needed resources such as health insurance, housing, and low-cost child care through referral and linkage.
• Formulates individualized service plans that identify the young person’s personal, social, emotional, mental health, educational, medical, housing, physical and/or financial needs and goals in collaboration with the THP Plus intensive case management program participants.
• Mediates and advocates on behalf of clients to help them obtain and keep suitable housing, health care, jobs and mental health services, education/school services, benefit entitlements, etc.
• Provides individual and group rehabilitation services under Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Probation Department, and city contracts.
• Assists young adults with identifying internal and external resources to assist with multiple stressors as it relates to homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse issues, etc.
• Develops and provides client rehabilitation services which assist in improving, maintaining, or restoring daily functioning at home, school, and community in accordance with treatment goals and in collaboration with treatment team (i.e., therapist, psychiatrist).
• Connects to resources such as health insurance, housing, low-cost childcare, chemical dependency, education, mental health, medical care, housing, income (SSI, GR) and employment, depending on specific service needs. Provides linkage to participants to health, mental health, and substance use services as needed and assist participants in maintaining treatment regimens.
• Collaborates with participants (and other service providers) to maintain housing stability goals.

• Provides field-based support to young people including helping to secure transportation for them to resources and appointments and empowering them to access different layers of support.
• Attends case conference meetings to assist and participate in case disposition and follow-up.
• Provides interagency and intra-agency consultation, communication, coordination and referrals.
• Completes and submits progress notes in a 24-hour timeframe utilizing the agency’s electronic health record system (EXYM, Clarity/HMIS, CHAMP) and collaborative documentation while serving clients; discusses and receives proof of insurance / Medi-Cal information in the field and submits to the QMET and/or IS Support Team.
• Maintains a caseload of 20 participants and sees them one time per week at minimum. Meets agency’s productivity standards for client service hours, if applicable.
• Meets agency’s productivity standards for client service hours, if applicable.
• Represents Wellnest at community resource events as needed.
• Provides 24 hour on call care to THP participants, and after care support to previous residents as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or other mental health related discipline with an

emphasis in community mental health work, and one year of experience working with homeless individuals, OR have a minimum of two years of experience providing direct mental health or intensive case management services, unless otherwise approved by DCFS and Probation Department. Experience working with clients with mental illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders. Have expertise in the following areas: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employee may be asked to pursue additional training when it is determined to be in the best interest of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid CA driver’s license and insurable driving record that meets Wellnest’s insurance carrier’s criteria for liability coverage. Use of a personal vehicle is required to complete the essential duties of this position. In keeping with Company policy for all employees, the successful applicant must also complete a test for Tuberculosis (TB) and fingerprint clearance by the Department of Justice. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: Employee regularly works out in the field and in an office environment. Employee may be required to work flexible, evening and/or weekend hours for time-sensitive projects.

REASONING ABILITY: 

• Ability to utilize a healing centered, harm reduction, and housing first approach. 
• Ability to conduct initial and quarterly psychosocial assessments with participants referred by the DCFS and Probation Department.
• Knowledge about services for foster care, juvenile justice and probation clients, homeless individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County.
• Ability to develop collaborative goals towards greater self-sufficiency and independence for the client in the larger community.
• Knowledge of challenges associated with DCFS, Probation, and homelessness, including chemical dependency, mental disorders, physical health concerns, violence, and isolation.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions, read, analyze and interpret manual and office documents.
• Ability to define problems, gather, transcribe and post data, analyze, synthesize and classify information, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to work independently and with others - including other employees, clients and members of the public - in face-to-face and telephonic contexts.
• Ability to multi-task, establish priorities and manage time, meet deadlines and perform duties under time constraints.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work demands.
• Maintain a high level of concentration and attention to detail for extended periods of time.
• Maintain a high level of ethical and professional standards in accordance with agency policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to talk or hear in order to give and receive information and instructions.
• Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to use computer keyboard up to 50% of the day.
• Visual acuity, ability to adjust focus and peripheral vision for work on a laptop or other computer equipment.
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Able to use telephone, office copier, calculator, fax machine, computer printer and scanner, or other equipment as required.

This description is only intended to illustrate the duties, responsibilities and requirements for it.  It is not intended, nor should it be interpreted to describe each and every duty the employee may be required to perform.

Wellnest does not discriminate against any client, parent/guardian, employee or community member on the basis of actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.

Due to restrictions from DHCS, Wellnest, as a health care provider, is unable to employ anyone on a DHCS exclusionary list or database. Applicants will be asked to confirm within the application process whether they are subject to an exclusion.