PSH Case Manager

The Stewpot’s Unsheltered PSH program is a partnership that will work closely with Housing Forward and other community agencies such as Dallas County Health and Human Services Department (DCHHS) and Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) to leverage mainstream housing and healthcare resources. The grant aims to reduce unsheltered homelessness and improve housing and health outcomes for highly vulnerable households by ensuring participants have access to a comprehensive suite of healthcare services including: primary healthcare services provided through Parkland’s primary care clinics as well as mental health, substance use treatment, and behavioral healthcare services within the North Texas provider network.

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program is an intervention that combines affordable housing assistance with voluntary support services to address the needs of chronically unsheltered individuals. homeless people. The program is designed to house 75 unsheltered individuals and families throughout Denton, Collin, Tarrant, Dallas, Rockwall, Kaufman, and Ellis counties. This position is responsible for helping participants locate and gain housing, assist them in maintaining housing, and provide ongoing support as needed with the primary goal to live independently in their own apartment.

This is a grant funded position that serves to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-reoccurring. This position does require field-based work that promotes ongoing housing stability, promotes the acquisition of income to increase self-sufficiency, and encourages self-determination of program participants. 

Responsibilities:

• Maintain a caseload of 25 households in the program.
• Complete eligibility assessment for new participants, ensure funding guidelines are met.
• Assess participants at program entry to jointly develop a strengths-based, goal-driven action plan that promotes permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
• Assist participants with obtaining income, education/training, and treatment, as needed.
• Teach participants how to properly organize and maintain household, basic safety skills, and routine home maintenance.
• Teach practical financial skills, which include developing a household budget, paying bills on time, opening and maintaining bank account, and encouraging savings.
• Provide a linkage to healthcare services for warm handoffs to specialists in primary healthcare services, substance use treatment, and behavioral health services.  
• Utilize evidence-based practices, such as motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, strengths based, and harm reduction.
• Complete Monthly and Annual Assessments regarding rent, income, assets, and expenses.
• Collaborate with lead organization to ensure move-in process is finalized to prepare for lease review.
• Build and maintain relationships with local landlords and property management companies to promptly resolve any tenant behavioral disputes.
• Coordinate furniture, welcome baskets, and unit readiness for new move-ins.
• Conduct monthly home visits and weekly or bi-weekly office visits.
• Maintain current documentation and records of case management services as well as statistical data entry required by the program, in our Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Ensure documentation compliance is accurate, timely, and up-to-date with funding rules and regulations.
• Enroll/update/exit participants from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Maintain excel spreadsheet for housing participants.

Core Competencies – DDI Competency Menu

• Interpersonal Skills: Relates well to all kinds of people including peers, superiors and subordinates, inside and outside of the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; is seen as approachable.
• Attention to Detail: Consistently attends to the many small pieces which must be assembled into an organized whole; follows up on missing or out of balance items; resolves unanswered questions needed to address a problem; keeps the larger picture in mind while tending to the smallest of details.
• Initiative: Enjoys working hard; is action oriented and energetic about worthwhile activities; not fearful of taking calculated risks; seizes opportunities; sets demanding but achievable objectives for self and others.
• Technical Expertise: Acquires and demonstrates the technical skills required to proficiently execute the essential functions of the job; understands which skills are lacking and seeks to develop those skills; continually works toward the mastery of technical proficiency.
• Decision Making and Problem Solving: Uses sound logic to approach difficult problems and apply effective solutions; can distinguish between symptoms, causes and implied solutions; decides in a timely manner based upon a blend of research, experience, risk-taking and judgment.

Terms of Employment

Salary, benefits and other terms of employment will be administered in accordance with the policies contained in the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Employee Handbook, a copy of which is provided to each employee.

Note 

This description contains the information and facts considered necessary to describe and evaluate the duties of this position fairly and equitably.  It should not be considered an exhaustive description of all the work requirements to be performed but indicates the kinds of duties and levels of responsibility required by the position.  Management may add or remove responsibilities as occasion may require.

• Degree: Bachelor’s in social work or social services related field, Master’s Degree Preferred
• Experience: 2+ years in case management with highly vulnerable populations
• Experience with housing is preferred.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid Driver’s License, and active auto insurance.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

This section describes the physical, mental and other special demands of this job. Modifications to the manner in which this job may be performed will be reviewed periodically.
1. Ability to work a 40-hour week.
2. Ability to sit or stand for long periods, up to 8 hours.
3. Ability to use both hands in fine and gross manipulation of small tools (copier, computer, telephone).
4. Ability to push and pull up to 10 lbs. (File cabinet drawers, computer paper boxes).
5. Ability to see well enough to read handwritten and typewritten material.
6. Ability to hear and speak well enough to communicate via phone.
7. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds dead weight to move or transfer boxes or documents.
8. Ability to retrieve files from bottom shelves/drawers and reach up for items located on top shelves.
9. Ability to reach, turn and twist above and below the waist daily to retrieve files or supplies.
10. Ability to stand and walk daily to retrieve forms/supplies for other departments.
11. Ability to spend 10% of working time outside in temperature varying from -0oF to 110oF.
12. Ability to spend 90% of working time in an environment of continuous moderate voices and office machine noise typical for business office atmosphere.
13. Ability to handle a variety of repetitive tasks.
14. Ability to walk-up multiple flights of stairs at apartments to conduct home visits.
15. Ability to drive participants.