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Description

A Community of Friends (ACOF) is a nonprofit affordable housing development corporation founded in 1988 with the goal of developing housing for individuals and families with special needs. Its mission is to end homelessness through the provision of quality permanent supportive housing for people with mental illness. ACOF's values are Dignity, Excellence, Community and Equity.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Tenant Services Supervisor I/II, the Case Manager I (CM-I) is responsible for providing individual case management to formerly homeless individuals and families utilizing a theoretical framework incorporating Motivation Interviewing (MI), Critical Time Intervention (CTI) and Stages of Change (SoC). This framework provides the CM-I with tools that reflect best practices to motivate tenants to achieve their goals in a non-judgmental manner. The CM-I will perform specialized tasks including comprehensive case management services such as intake, assessment, goal setting, monitoring and reassessment, life skills, counseling, individual benefit assistance, referrals and linkages to all tenants. The CM-I will document all tenant interactions and input that data into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.

Essential Duties:

• Provide individual case management referrals and supportive services for tenants
• Maintain daily and weekly contact with all tenants
• Work with a diverse and marginalized tenant caseload experiencing many barriers including chronic homelessness, trauma, medical, mental health and substance use
• Create and provide group supportive services to tenants
• Maintain proper documentation and current case notes in a computerized database system (HMIS)
• Process housing applications using the Coordinated Entry System (CES)
• Provide crisis management services to support tenant housing retention, increase income and build community engagement
• Provide coverage for programs which are occasionally conducted during evening and weekend hours 
• Collaborate with the tenant to develop individual goal plans aimed at improving overall well-being and housing stability
• Responsible for reporting abuse, as a mandated reporter, which includes immediately reporting any concerns with respect to violation of a person's rights, actual and/or suspected abuse
• Present tenant case reviews to the Tenant Services Supervisor on a bi-weekly basis
• Transport tenants in ACOF van to various agencies such as, DMV, local health care facility, mental health clinic, or support group meeting
• Work cooperatively and cohesively with other Services and Property Management Staff including participation in bi-weekly property meetings, training and emergency interventions

Requirements

To perform effectively in the position, the Case Manager I must have:

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university
• Two (2) years case management/client advocacy services with people who have been homeless and/or have a mental illness
• One (1) year experience utilizing a client tracking database system
• (6) months experience utilizing evidence-based practices in a social services field
• Demonstrated experience in developing and facilitating life skills groups
• Proficiency with Microsoft software programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
• Ability to provide crisis management services in challenging environments
• Experience working in a setting striving towards a team-building environment
• Proficiency with keyboarding skills to produce correspondence, email and reports
• Communicate effectively both in verbal and written formats 
• Sensitivity and appreciation of diverse tenant populations as a benchmark to effectively to promote community and independent living 
• Proficiency with the HMIS system
• Valid California driver's license
• Access to a personal vehicle to be used to conduct ACOF business
• Ability to meet California minimum and ACOF insurance requirement

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Knowledge of the Coordinated Entry System and a familiarity with the LA HAT
• Basic understanding of Evidence-based case management approaches in permanent supportive housing with individuals and/or families with a mental health diagnosis