Case Manager - Housing Focused

Summary

Our Housing Member Advocate/Case Manager has a critical role in the caring, professional supportive services we offer to our members around housing. This person will work directly with a caseload of clients from a varied cultural background, provide case management, maintain all case noting through our coordinated entry system and HMIS database, make referrals and always strive for an accessible and safe environment for our community. Working as part of the Programs and Member Services Team, together with co-workers, leadership, volunteers, and external partners, Members Advocates/Case Managers carry out Trinity Center programs in our mission to provide essential safety net services and a pathway forward for vulnerable members of our community, especially those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness or living in poverty. Member Advocates/Case Managers bring compassion, skills, knowledge, flexibility, reliability, encouragement, and empowerment to members seeking housing, financial stability and wellness while upholding our values of dignity, respect, inclusion, equity, and vibrancy of life for all.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Essential responsibilities and accountabilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Spanish Speaking a plus!
• Provide individualized, flexible case management and referrals for a caseload of members using person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, harm reduction and housing first approaches.
• Program development and program design proficiency.
• Experienced with seeking and finding housing for the unhoused.
• Conduct intake questionnaires, assessments (ex. VI-SPDAT), and other forms of tracking documentation as needed; ensure complete and timely entry into HMIS and agency databases.
• Meet regularly with members to develop and support progress on each person’s Housing Stability Plan.
• Build trust and rapport, by interacting in a culturally sensitive, consistent, and professional demeanor consistent with our mission of treating members with dignity and respect
• Depending on goals, strengths, and needs, may assist members in obtaining identification and documentation required for, and pursuing applications for housing, education and employment, mainstream benefits such as SSI, GA, CalFresh, Medi-Cal and other cash, in-kind, or health insurance benefits, behavioral health services, and other community-based resources.
• May provide coaching, transportation and/or accompaniment to members accessing community resources, following Trinity Center policies.
• Regularly report and coordinate member progress (or challenges) in internal and external case conferences.
• Provide a “warm hand-off” for individuals accessing external services and providers.
• May provide tenancy stabilization support to members who have regained housing, including ongoing contact, education, coaching, advocacy, recertification or inspection preparation, and resource referrals.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and timely member files, related case management documentation including Housing Stability Plans, meeting notes, referrals and follow-up, goal achievement, and associated changes in housing, income, and health conditions, and electronic records in HMIS for members on caseload; may assist with record-keeping and data entry for other members as needed. Submit regular and “as needed reports” when requested by Director or other agency leadership.
• Interact positively and professionally with, and offer informal support, information, and encouragement to, all members and visitors to Trinity Center to build trust, community cohesion, and empowerment.
• Provide direct crisis counseling and problem identification for Trinity Center members facing acute difficulties or whose behavior is negatively affecting other persons or property at Trinity Center.
• Participate in conferences and decisions regarding issues and consequences of member behavior affecting the individual, other persons, or property at or the surrounding area of Trinity Center or otherwise do not adhere to Trinity Center member agreements.
• Maintain awareness and communication regarding conditions and behavior in and around Trinity Center; monitor, adjust and respond to situations affecting safety and well-being within and around Trinity Center community space.
• Coordinate internally and externally to support Trinity Center health-related protocols and adhere to all public health and safety guidance.
• Respond to community phone calls and email inquiries regarding Trinity Center services; may refer calls or emails to leadership regarding other housing resources and services in Contra Costa County.
• With leadership team, coordinate member feedback mechanisms to promote the voices and input of persons with lived experience in programs and services.
• Participate in all required meetings, case conferences, internal and external training; identify and communicate with leadership about professional development needs and interests.
• Provide support to, and as possible initiate and coordinate, Trinity Center support groups, workshops, and events based on skills, interests, and member feedback.
• Develop relationships and collaborate with social service, medical, and mental health providers for services that are helpful to our clients including referrals to health care, education, and mental health agencies; share new connections and information with colleagues and agency leadership.
• Promote Trinity Center programs and services by participating in outreach activities, participating in meetings including but not limited to: Walnut Creek Community Homeless Task Force; Contra Costa County Health, Housing and Homeless Services Continuum of Care/Council on Homelessness (or related activities), and gathering data, success stories, and research/policy information to educate community members and decision-makers about homelessness in general and the role Trinity Center play

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

• BA/BS or MSW, or equivalent experience and education in case management/social services/behavioral health or related fields as demonstrated by life experience, work experience, and work-related education/certifications
• At least two (2) years goal-oriented case management experience with, and/or lived experience as, persons experiencing homelessness, housing instability, poverty, interpersonal violence, disabling conditions (including physical, mental health and/or substance use disorders/recovery, HIV, developmental disabilities) or other characteristics leading to marginalization and vulnerability
• Experience and proficiency with Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Proficient in Word, Excel, and Outlook programs, and familiar with entering data in database programs and maintaining case notes/client files
• Driver’s license and clean DMV record, or alternate ability to travel reliably and accompany members to appointments
• Experience in harm reduction, trauma informed care, de-escalation, housing first approaches and protocols
• Familiarity with services provided by Contra Costa County Health Services, Homeless Programs, or similar organization network a plus
• Spanish a plus!
• Proficiency in Program development and program design.

Status: Full-time, Non-exempt. Trinity Center operates on-site five days per week, with extended hours related to winter overnight shelter program. Member Advocate schedules may be flexible based on business or personal circumstances and are subject to change as needed.