Case Manager

Work Schedule: Full time,Monday-Friday 9am-5pm SUMMARY: The Case Manager will be responsible for implementing, monitoring, and ongoing assessments of the social service plans for clients that come into the Drop-In Center. RESPONSIBILITIES: Assess, triage, and provide supportive services and referrals for homeless persons that enter the Drop-In Center including substance abuse treatment, medical needs, housing needs, and vocational needs. Complete, in a timely fashion, all necessary paperwork, including intake forms, psycho-social assessments, daily logs, and statistical reports. Assist clients in completing entitlement applications, scheduling, and following through with necessary appointments. Facilitate groups with clients of the Drop-In Center. Monitors client's medication regime as needed. Assist client in developing ADL skills. Facilitate group client escorts as needed. Respond to medical, psychiatric, and other emergencies on an as-needed basis. Qualifications Needed: Bachelors's degree is required. Two years of case management experience, working with the homeless population preferred. Needs the ability to establish workload priorities and balance a diverse caseload. Clean valid driver's license required. Must have exceptional communication skills both orally and in writing with individuals and groups regarding complex and sensitive issues or regulations. Identify long-term/permanent housing opportunities as outlined by funding source to homeless adults who have been living on the streets many of whom have a mental illness and substance abuse issues that meet the level 1 and level 2 placement criteria Meet with clients on a regular basis and develop strategies with clients in order to identify clients current housing needs Secure entitlements on all clients identified for Level 1 and Level 2 placements in order to develop housing plans in conjunction with the Team Will complete expedited individualized housing plans on those clients identified for Level 1 and Level 2 placements in order to meet and receive milestone payment and objective Guide homeless clients in learning about permanent housing opportunities and assist in completing their housing applications on those clients identified for Level 1 and Level 2 placement Establish and maintain strong relationships with housing providers. Act as liaison between agencies, clients and prospective housing providers. Establish relationships with realtors and private landlords in order to meet the milestone objectives of the contract Will complete subsidized housing applications on all clients who meet the criteria for Section 8 and HRA housing programs in an expedited manner in order to meet and receive milestone objectives/ and payment incentive to HS Provide advocacy and follow up on all applications submitted to Section 8 and HRA Conduct ongoing housing searches on all clients that have been identified for Level 1 and level 2 placement in order to ensure the program meets the annual milestone incentive goals Make referrals to special housing agencies for those with unique needs Prepare client for housing interviews, using motivational interviewing techniques Escort clients to interviews, view apartments, meet prospective landlords and real estate brokers. Ensure acceptance into appropriate housing programs Participate and attend the Interdisciplinary Team and Administrative meetings weekly. Submit all monthly reporting in a timely manner This position requires a Bachelors Degree and/or previous housing experience working with housing disadvantaged populations. The successful candidate will have significant experience working with clients on issues of homelessness, entitlements, addiction, mental illness, and/or special needs housing. Should have at least two years experience working within the New York City housing market or homeless services system, and familiarity with housing and entitlement systems and procedures. Candidates should possess demonstrable writing and communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal and facilitation abilities, including the ability to work effectively with staff from other organizations and agencies. Computer proficiency is required. Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred. Must possess a clean and valid drivers license and the ability to drive a passenger van. The physical ability to perform the essential job functions is needed. In addition, the Housing Specialist shall perform any duties as required to meet the needs of the program and the clients we serve. The agency reserves the right to review and change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.