Position: Case Manager

Location: EIH Arena / San Jose

Employment Type: Regular Full Time, Exempt

Compensation: $28.35 Hourly

Program Summary:

Emergency Interim Housing (EIH) Arena Program

The EIH Arena is a housing-focused, low-barrier and harm reduction program designed to serve adults experiencing homelessness within the City of San Jose. Our EIH Arena program is a referral-based program that provides each program participant with access to a private unit with restroom, shower, and furnishings. The EIH Arena provides onsite comprehensive support services with the goal of assisting all program participants transition from EIH into permanent housing.

The Case Manager will work in partnership with program participants to develop individualized housing plans that include personal goals the participant may have in their journey to obtaining permanent housing. Case managers will offer on-going, regularly scheduled case management sessions as well as convenient drop-in options. Case management sessions include assisting the participant in identifying and obtaining the resources and services required to meet their housing goals. For those individuals already assigned a case manager through other providers, the EIH case manager will supplement and support the service plan developed by the other agency and ensure coordination to avoid duplication of services and aid in the transition to permanent housing.

Qualities:

The Case Manager is committed to ending homelessness via the principles of Housing First and Harm Reduction. They demonstrate this commitment through their proactive and creative approach to program interventions and services. They recognize the time sensitivity required to support those in crisis to maintain or secure housing stability and exercise empathy toward those we serve. They apply this same passion in their care and attention for the details, contract compliance, and pursuit of performance benchmarks.

Ideal candidates are knowledgeable and sensitive to the needs of our unhoused populations. Enjoy practicing a strength-based approach in fast paced and rapidly changing environments. Are welcoming and accepting of all backgrounds and beliefs without judgment or bias. Utilize highly developed communication skills, including demonstrated ability to effectively de-escalate and manage, including those who may be experiencing serious mental illness or may be intoxicated.

HomeFirst is a culturally diverse company in a similarly diverse community, and the Case Manager desires to work with people from a variety of social and economic backgrounds. To that end,

the Case Manager cultivates a connected and mutually supportive team.

Responsibilities:

Direct Service (70%)

• Welcome agency guests into the facility including program participants, volunteers and staff
• Conduct program participant orientation and intake
• Maintain a case load providing case management and other direct service to all participants
• Work with program participants to develop and implement an individualized housing plan and provide support to help achieve goals
• Provide community-based case management services to program participants
• Collaborate with community partners regarding support services for participants
• Collaborate with the entre EIH team and external case managers/teams to ensure comprehensive services are provided to participants
• Partner with external case mangers/teams to support participants in reaching identified housing goal
• Complete safety planning, risk assessment and mandated reporting
• Communicates participant success and challenges with case managers/care teams
• Utilizes supervision appropriately, maintaining open lines of communication and provide updates on intake activity
• Maintains thorough, accurate records of case management activities with every program participant, as required by grant contracts and internal compliance
• Provides support services that employ a Critical Time Intervention (CTI) model and Strength Based approach
• Participate in weekly Property Management meetings
• Participate in Case Conferencing to support client in reaching personal and housing goals
• Transition program participants to the next appropriate level of care
• Knows and implements agency and program policies and procedures
• Properly reports any suspected cases of abuse
• Maintains professional relations and conduct
• Meets regularly with program participants at a frequency determined by the clients’ needs
• Complete and submit Incident Reports and Behavior Contracts
• Participate in opportunities for learning and skill maintenance/development
• Attend all job-related meetings, including program staff meetings and agency wide meetings
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Documentation (20%)

• Documents, via progress notes in HMIS, all case management activity within 3 business days and maintains all other case file paperwork and documentation
• Participates in ongoing analysis of and program alignment with industry best practices
• Proactively and consistently improves the quality and effectiveness of program services
• Complete and submit incident reports, behavioral contracts, and gross violations as needed
• Conducts ongoing re-assessments of the resident’s needs and status, and documents assessment in HMIS

General (10%)

• Attends all meetings relevant to this position
• Assists with office-related tasks as needed
• Assists with other duties as assigned

This role is further responsible for modeling the values and principles of HomeFirst within the agency and broader community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum two years’ experience in social services – No experience required for applicants with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, mental health, human services or related field
• Lived experience OR understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of the unhoused population
• Fluent in Microsoft Office Suite
• Candidates with previous experience serving the unhoused and low-income populations are preferred
• Bi-lingual capabilities a plus

Other:

• Able to perform sedentary work;
• Able to lift up to 30 lbs. on occasion;
• Ability to use keyboard and read computer screens for extended periods;
• Able to stand/sit for extended periods, kneel, reach and bend related to the completion of duties;

Benefits of joining the HomeFirst team

• Professional growth opportunities within the organization
• 100% medical coverage for employees with an opportunity to add dependents at a shared cost
• 401k match up to 4%
• 11 observed Holidays
• Generous PTO, accrual begin with 120 hours annually and increase with tenure
• 4 hours of Community Engagement provided annually
• Access to our Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) services
• Pet Insurance options available

About HomeFirst Services:

Established in 1980, with 40+ years of experience, we are the premier Silicon Valley provider of homelessness services. We believe that everyone has the potential to get housed and stay housed. We relentlessly focus on eliminating barriers to housing and creating stability for everyone we serve.

HomeFirst Services serves more than 6,000 adults, veterans, families, and young adults each year at multiple locations from Gilroy to Menlo Park – all of Santa Clara County as well as southern San Mateo County.

Services include:

• Homelessness prevention
• Emergency and cold-weather shelters
• Comprehensive Veterans’ Services
• Rapid Rehousing programs
• Bridge Housing Communities
• Emergency Interim Housing
• Affordable permanent housing
• Permanent Supportive housing
• Street-based outreach

HomeFirst Services is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Additionally, HomeFirst Services participates in the E-Verify program, as required by law.

HomeFirst Services is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please let your recruiter know.

HomeFirst Services takes pride in its safety values, the wellness of our team, and respect for everyone we serve. Due to this commitment, HomeFirst Services mandates that all employees be vaccinated or render a religious or medical exemption effective September 13, 2021.