Care Coordinator, Lacda

TITLE: Care Coordinator, LACDA

Employment Status: Full Time

DEPARTMENT: Programs

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, LACDA

Reg. Hours Worked: 40 / Week, Non-Exempt

Hybrid: Altadena, CA

Salary: $24.04/hr

JOB SUMMARY:

The Care Coordinator for LACDA (Permanent Supportive Housing) Program will engage, assess, and assist eligible clients with the housing navigation, including the lease-up process. The Care Coordinator will pro-actively meet with clients to provide supportive services to promote: housing retention, community integration, life skills, and improved health and wellness.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:

• Accept, screen, and process referrals received from CES (Coordinated Entry System).

• Conduct intake and enrollment with eligible clients, including: assisting clients with gathering program eligibility documentation, and completing program intake forms.

• Assist clients with accessing temporary housing until permanent housing is secured.

• Support clients with the lease-up process, including: meeting with property management, reviewing and signing their lease, and obtaining household necessities.

• Develop individualized collaborative service plans with clients.

• Strive to recognize the best in each client and to support the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength based case management techniques.

• Provide client engagement by welcoming the client to their new community, establishing trust through relationship building, assisting the client with understanding the services that are available and supporting client with accessing necessary supports and services, and addressing basic needs.

• Meet with each client on regularly scheduled basis and document progress and strength in progress notes.

• Provide home and field based services as appropriate and transport client as needed to essential appointments that support their wellbeing.

• Assist client with navigating and abiding by their lease obligations.

• Support clients with learning and practicing fiscal responsibility.

• Assist client with their physical and mental health needs by providing support and linkage to appropriate services.

• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work indoors in temperature controlled environment with occasional exposure to outdoor weather and driving conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Stand and sit for long periods of time; move and walk to various locations; climb stairs, stoop, kneel, reach, pull, push, bend, twist, and occasionally lift and or move objects. Use hands to finger, handle or feel.

• See, hear and speak clearly in order to give and receive information and instructions, perform administrative work, and drive motor vehicles including passenger vans.

• Ability to interact with other employees, clients, customers and members of the public.

• Ability to work effectively under time constraints, prioritize work, multi-task, and adapt to changing work demands.

• Gather, analyze, synthesize, and classify information.

• Transcribe, enter, and post data.

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.

• May require exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious agents.

• Requires use a computer keyboard for substantial periods of time.

• Able to travel to off-site meetings or other activities.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge surrounding poverty, homelessness and social factors involved.

• Understanding of recovery model principles and practices.

• Ability to understand the needs of formerly homeless people with disabilities and to develop collaborative goals towards greater self-sufficiency and independence in the greater community.

• Ability to work autonomously with a minimal amount of supervision.

• Knowledgeable about services for homeless and low income individuals throughout Los Angeles County.

• Knowledge of the dynamics of chemical dependency, mental disorders and the effects of homelessness.

• Skilled in use of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and G-Mail), and HMIS Homeless Management Information System.

• Must demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Possess valid California drivers license and have access to properly registered vehicle.

• Ability to speak Spanish fluently preferred.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• One (1) year of experience working with homeless individuals AND have a social work/mental health related bachelors degree or have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related human services field.

• Experience working with participants with mental health illness, chronic health issues, and substance use disorders strongly preferred.

• Experience in the following areas strongly preferred: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.

• Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS employment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.

Union Station Homeless Services Embraces Diversity

We embrace our differences and are committed to furthering our culture of inclusion and belonging. Our commitment to racial equity within the organization is crucial to who we are and the clients we serve. Committed to being an anti-racist organization and sharing the unique cultural experiences from our networks, we offer annual racial equity training, host ongoing learning experiences through our lunch n' learns, and participate in on-going mental health trainings.

We promote acceptance, respect, teamwork and foster diversity in the workplace. We believe every individual has a story, past, and a unique set of skills that shape who we are and through this network, we can learn from each other to become better versions of ourselves personally and professionally. Through our staff-led network focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility, we work to communicate, educate, and express diverse cultivation through our eight Diversity Networks. We are honored that the Diversity Network has been recognized as part of the Community Impact Awards presented by the Los Angeles Business Journal.

Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer