Shelter Plus Care Case Manager Description

About Marin Housing Authority / Careers

Established: November 21, 1995

Revised: June 28.2005

Definition

Under general supervision, provides support services to individuals with persistent mental illness and a history of homelessness in the Shelter Plus Care Program; assists participants in finding or remaining in housing; works with participants towards achieving the outcomes in their coordinated case plans; works closely with public social services agencies in coordinated assistance efforts; assists the Shelter Plus Care Coordinator with all aspects of the program as needed; and performs related work as assigned.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives general supervision from the Director of Supportive Services Program and lead direction from the Shelter Plus Care Coordinator.

Class Characteristics

This is the professional joumey level class requiring a high level of responsibility, knowledge and ability in coordinating and providing services to clients. This class provides case management, counseling and advocacy services to extremely low-income persons with a variety of barriers to permanent housing including mental illness, chronic illness and physical disabilities.

Examples of Duties (Illustrative Only)

• Engages and works with people with severe and persistent mental illness, a history of homelessness, and/or terminal illness.
• Interviews clients and evaluates problems presented and evaluates case situations to determine the extent of social service needs of clients.
• Conducts clinical assessments with individuals to determine their psychiatric and psychological needs; functions as a part of an inter-agency multidisciplinary team; makes referrals to other community resources for services and coordinates services with other social services and support agencies.
• Monitors health issues, makes appropriate medical referrals and coordinates medical care as required.
• Contacts public social welfare and mental health agencies to obtain and provide information to program participants.
• Acts as an advocate for the client; assists participants with locating appropriate housing; assists with the move-in process; helps participants obtain needed household items and other tasks that help participants maintain housing.
• Provides mediation and advocacy for participant between landlord and neighbors.
• Provides assistance with daily living tasks such as money management, shopping, cooking, laundry, and arranging for in-home assistance.
• Works with participants to obtain and maintain entitlements; develops ongoing consultation with participants' family members, case managers and other care providers; makes timely referrals to supportive services and intervenes to avert crises. 
• Coordinates and provides flexible support services and skills training to participants once they are housed, with the objective of helping them to stay housed and to achieve the goals set forth in their coordinated case plans.
• Assists the Shelter Plus Care Coordinator with outreach activities towards eligible homeless persons.
• Writes reports and performs daily Medi-Cal charting and billing; collects data for the purposes of program administration and monitoring.
• Prepares and maintains casework records, court and other evaluative reports and relevant correspondence; maintains accurate Medi-Cal and related records and files.
• Perform other related work as assigned. 

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Current issues regarding independent living with support services for special needs populations.
• Principles and techniques in engaging homeless mentally ill people, disabled and terminally ill participants.
• Principles, procedures, techniques, trends and literature of the social service and mental health fields; assessments, interviewing, and recording and tracking case plans.
• Public assistance and social service programs and the role and function of public housing and social services agencies.
• Principles and techniques of interviewing and methods of social work record keeping, including computer applications related to the work.
• Community organizations and resources and the social problems calling for the use of public and private resources regarding homelessness.
• Basic principles of public assistance policies and programs.
• Laws, rules, and regulations governing the operation of the Marin Housing Authority.
• Goals and current trends of subsidized housing and participants; techniques for dealing with individuals from a variety of socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and those who may have physical and/or emotional problems. 

Skill in:

• Interacting dynamically and relating well with homeless, mentally ill, disabled and terminally ill populations.
• Assessing needs and developing appropriate treatment plans; analyzing problematic situations and taking decisive action and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with clients.
• Interpreting social services programs to applicants and participants; effectively using and seeking out appropriate resources and services.
• Applying existing rules, regulations and policies; working constructively within a community setting with a community consultation panel.
• Working cooperatively with Housing Authority staff, outside agencies, and the public.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in written form including effective use of interviewing techniques.
• Working effectively with people with varying backgrounds, educational levels, races and cultures. 
• Operating standard office equipment, including job-related computer hardware and software applications, facsimile equipment and multi-line telephones.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. 

Educations and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent of a four-year degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, psychology, counseling or a closely-related field and three years of experience in a mental health, social services or a community services organization. Experience working with the Shelter Plus Care target populations is preferred. Master’s Degrees in a related field may be substituted for experience on a year by year basis. 

License and Certification:

Must possess a valid California class C driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time, talk and hear within standard ranges. The employee is required to walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or computer controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Work is performed in a field setting or a normal office setting with moderate noise levels and includes extensive travel to client residents throughout the County.

Marin Housing Authority is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.  Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and for religious reasons.