Case Manager, Problem Solving Hospital Liason, Westside

Role: Case Manager, Problem Solving

Location: Westside Admin

Reports to: Program Manager, Problem Solving

Summary

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) Problem Solving Hospital Liaison program is a short-term housing intervention that seeks to assist participants to maintain their current housing or identify an immediate and safe housing alternative within their own network of family, friends and social supports. The Problem Solving Hospital Liaison receives referrals from the local hospital system, and works with participants to divert them from entering or returning to the homeless shelter system or streets. The Hospital Liaison secures and stabilizes participants in housing via linkages to services that include but are not limited to legal services, one time financial assistance, and housing related support services. Problem Solving also ensures that those households who do not have alternative housing options are quickly connected to existing emergency or crisis housing services to ensure their immediate health and safety needs are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Assess housing barriers of participants who are exiting the hospital system and are unstably housed and at-risk of homelessness to determine housing and service needs
2. Request and coordinate Problem Solving Assistance funds with our funder (LAHSA) to ensure client financial needs are being met.
3. Develop housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plan with participants. This will include an intake interview/assessment to determine household needs, goals, and eligibility.
4. Immediately enter data collected into specific Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Problem Solving tool, following completion of intake/assessment
5. Provide advocacy with landlords on the household's behalf to develop a workable plan to maintain housing.
6. Maintain a caseload of a minimum of 25 individuals and maintain weekly case notes in HMIS
7. Mediation and dispute resolution with previous/ current landlord, friends or family. Works in conjunction with legal service entities to facilitate the work flow between case management and legal service support.
8. Linkage to credit counseling and other services necessary to assist program participants with critical skills related to budgeting, managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit problems.
9. Provide reunification or relocation services and support.
10. Document all services identified and provided, referrals made, and transportation provided.
11. Ensure that data is accurate to ensure the integrity of the information in order to create reports and build narratives around the success of the program.
12. Advocates for and actively assists individuals in obtaining services (e.g. benefits, housing referrals, financial assistance, home based services, training, medical services, mentoring and socialization).
13. Use automated technology including HMIS and hard copy files to maintain, update, and report on case data, goal attainment, and outcomes in a timely manner
14. Complete chart for clients who obtain financial assistance through this program, including eligibility documentation as well as the program agreements completed.
15. Successfully collaborate with the assigned hospitals in service planning area 4 (Metro LA) and 5 (West LA) to improve the quality of referrals, communication, rapport building and overall success of the program.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree in related field (Social Work, Community Organizing, or other Human Services) and two years' full-time experience working with the homeless, preferably those living with mental illness and / or substance addictions; or an equivalent combination of education and experience
2. Knowledge of homeless social service providers and Coordinated Entry System
3. Able to communicate and interact with subcontractors, housing providers and community partners in a culturally competent manner
4. Detail oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills
5. Self-starter with the ability to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in fast-paced work environment
6. Able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies

Preferred Qualifications

1. Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Work Environment

1. Combination of field and office environment
2. Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
3. On occasion walk or drive to different local sites
4. Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments
5. Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise and odor
6. May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day