Case Manager

MERCY COMMUNITIES JOB DESCRIPTION CASE MANAGER/SERVICE COORDINATOR POSITION SUMMARY

The Service Coordinator has overall responsibility for case management; resource coordination and development of a service plan with the participant which addresses the issues contributing to their homelessness.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Works as part of a team with other MERCY staff, mentors, volunteers, and community service providers to challenge, guide, and support the families in achieving the goals of their service plan. Values the empowerment of participants and actively incorporates the approach into their daily work Respects and values the participant's individuality, diversity, and dignity and provides assistance in a non-judgmental context Employs an empathetic and strength-based approach in the provision of services Develops professional relationships with participants and encourages same in others, maintains appropriate boundaries Values the participant's right to confidentiality, strictly adheres to the practice in the provision of daily services Models and promotes effective communication skills for participants Ensures smooth daily operations of the facility, identifies warning signs of potential crisis, and employs effective intervention techniques Ensures a safe environment for participants, models positive conflict management techniques Provides immediate verbal feedback when participants violate house rules or expectations of their service plan Maintains security throughout shift. Models behavior that encourages the development of healthy relationships and helps participants recognize and build personal support networks Uses effective time and organizational management techniques to manage workload Monitors the progress of participants in order to effectively evaluate services Recognizes symptoms of substance abuse and mental illnesses, including an awareness of the potential side effects from medications Knows formal and informal community resources, social service networks and current issues affecting people who are homeless Helps the participants to access needed social services independently Documents all services consistent with agency policy and procedure Tracks all donations made on shift and gives the donor an acknowledgment letter Provides direction and support to shift volunteers, documents attendance Participates in staff meetings, in-services and continuing education workshops

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Community Outreach Participates in speaking engagements and community-based agency in-services and otherwise represents the agency in public settings Identifies, utilizes, and forms partnerships with community resources and ancillary services, ensuring that participants have knowledge of and access to needed resources and services Attends Resource Providers meetings and participates in other forums that support continuity of planning/care Intake/Assessment Conducts initial intake, giving program information, advocacy and referrals as indicated Maintains database, tracking intake demographics and inquiry dispositions Evaluates for admission, conducting initial screening interview, collecting and reviewing applications, references and other supporting documentation, secures signed release of information forms, as indicated Refers to Program Director for final admission determination Works and coordinates admission to MERCY House, works with landlord to coordinate permanent supportive housing admissions Writes family social history and completes geogram in developing a profile of the family's functioning (strengths and weaknesses) Compiles all data into case record, takes the lead to maintain updated records on all participants Enters data into the HMIS system in timely manner Orientation/Planning Orients participants to the program's expectations and to the facility/apartment and to other participants in the program Builds a partnership with each participant and engages her in creating an individualized service plan to assist the movement toward well-being, personal development, self-determination and independence Identifies, assesses and prioritizes immediate and long term needs of participants and utilizes that assessment in creating and implementing the participant's service plan, continually updates assessments upon receiving new participant information Includes family members/significant others and mentors in case management services and counseling when appropriate Understands participants' legal rights, advocates within a variety of systems, educates participants about their legal rights and assists them in advocating for themselves Develops discharge plan for participant's move into permanent housing in the community Coordination of Services Coordinates all in-house and off-site services offered to participants Meets weekly with participants to discuss progress toward goals, identify potential barriers and relevant solutions Assesses for benefit entitlements, and refers accordingly Works collaboratively with mentor to challenge and guide participant in achievement of established goals with a minimum quarterly in-person contact Works with client to ensure the client's gainful employment Coordinates referrals with ancillary services to ensure that participants are able to access needed services and maintains ongoing communication with the provider Assists in locating transportation for participants to access services in the community Assesses the needs of the participants' children, i.e. day care, education, counseling, development screenings, health care exams, etc. and refers accordingly Life Skills Education Administers pre and post-tests of the Daniel Memorial Life Skill Evaluation tool and develops life skill curriculum around deficits. Administers pre and post Beck Depression Inventories and secures mental health services, as needed Works with participants to resolve back debts, including collecting monthly payments on promissory notes signed with

M.E.R.C.Y.

Provides individualized budgeting sessions Provides weekly oversight regarding participants' budgets, debts, spending habits Schedules services with relevant community financial resources. Introduces participants to money saving habits (thrift store shopping, use of coupons, etc.) Introduces participants to banking services and assists them with setting up checking and savings accounts. Develops individualized programs with participants, teaching time management and monitors for issues/problems at weekly session. Provides education on wellness issues, including stress management and healthy lifestyles Provides education/guidance on housekeeping and home management skills, performs weekly inspection of resident's apartments for safety, cleanliness, etc. Provides education/guidance on nutritional needs, including grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking Other Participates in MERCY House or Permanent Housing residential meetings Provides transportation, as needed for the achievement of service planning goals In collaboration with the Program Director helps develop evaluative criteria and assess program outcomes All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Commitment to the mission of

M.E.R.C.Y.

Communities Demonstrated interest and skill in teaching and managing individuals who need structure and direction Empathic listening skills Observe safe and sensible boundaries Ability to evaluate crisis situations and take necessary action Able to meaningfully engage the client Able to give support and encouragement with the courage to confront the client about serious issues or situations Empower without enabling Ability to maintain confidentiality of information Ability to perform duties with minimum supervision, but within designated level of authority Demonstrated initiative and maturity Ability to enforce rules and expectations consistently Able to pass a background, CANTS check and drug screening Agree to abide by mandated reporter status Good organization and follow up skills Ability to address issues/problems in timely manner

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field or the equivalent experience in case management experience. Experience in group living and/or homelessness programs preferred Demonstrate an ability to support and contribute to community team Successfully pass drug test Valid Illinois driver's license/car insurance Able to work flexible hours (day, evenings and weekends as needed) to accommodate participant's schedules Rotation of on-call responsibility

REPORTS TO

Program Director and Executive Director Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$42,000.00 - $44,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person

MERCY COMMUNITIES JOB DESCRIPTION CASE MANAGER/SERVICE COORDINATOR POSITION SUMMARY

The Service Coordinator has overall responsibility for case management; resource coordination and development of a service plan with the participant which addresses the issues contributing to their homelessness.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Works as part of a team with other MERCY staff, mentors, volunteers, and community service providers to challenge, guide, and support the families in achieving the goals of their service plan. Values the empowerment of participants and actively incorporates the approach into their daily work Respects and values the participant's individuality, diversity, and dignity and provides assistance in a non-judgmental context Employs an empathetic and strength-based approach in the provision of services Develops professional relationships with participants and encourages same in others, maintains appropriate boundaries Values the participant's right to confidentiality, strictly adheres to the practice in the provision of daily services Models and promotes effective communication skills for participants Ensures smooth daily operations of the facility, identifies warning signs of potential crisis, and employs effective intervention techniques Ensures a safe environment for participants, models positive conflict management techniques Provides immediate verbal feedback when participants violate house rules or expectations of their service plan Maintains security throughout shift. Models behavior that encourages the development of healthy relationships and helps participants recognize and build personal support networks Uses effective time and organizational management techniques to manage workload Monitors the progress of participants in order to effectively evaluate services Recognizes symptoms of substance abuse and mental illnesses, including an awareness of the potential side effects from medications Knows formal and informal community resources, social service networks and current issues affecting people who are homeless Helps the participants to access needed social services independently Documents all services consistent with agency policy and procedure Tracks all donations made on shift and gives the donor an acknowledgment letter Provides direction and support to shift volunteers, documents attendance Participates in staff meetings, in-services and continuing education workshops

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Community Outreach Participates in speaking engagements and community-based agency in-services and otherwise represents the agency in public settings Identifies, utilizes, and forms partnerships with community resources and ancillary services, ensuring that participants have knowledge of and access to needed resources and services Attends Resource Providers meetings and participates in other forums that support continuity of planning/care Intake/Assessment Conducts initial intake, giving program information, advocacy and referrals as indicated Maintains database, tracking intake demographics and inquiry dispositions Evaluates for admission, conducting initial screening interview, collecting and reviewing applications, references and other supporting documentation, secures signed release of information forms, as indicated Refers to Program Director for final admission determination Works and coordinates admission to MERCY House, works with landlord to coordinate permanent supportive housing admissions Writes family social history and completes geogram in developing a profile of the family's functioning (strengths and weaknesses) Compiles all data into case record, takes the lead to maintain updated records on all participants Enters data into the HMIS system in timely manner Orientation/Planning Orients participants to the program's expectations and to the facility/apartment and to other participants in the program Builds a partnership with each participant and engages her in creating an individualized service plan to assist the movement toward well-being, personal development, self-determination and independence Identifies, assesses and prioritizes immediate and long term needs of participants and utilizes that assessment in creating and implementing the participant's service plan, continually updates assessments upon receiving new participant information Includes family members/significant others and mentors in case management services and counseling when appropriate Understands participants' legal rights, advocates within a variety of systems, educates participants about their legal rights and assists them in advocating for themselves Develops discharge plan for participant's move into permanent housing in the community Coordination of Services Coordinates all in-house and off-site services offered to participants Meets weekly with participants to discuss progress toward goals, identify potential barriers and relevant solutions Assesses for benefit entitlements, and refers accordingly Works collaboratively with mentor to challenge and guide participant in achievement of established goals with a minimum quarterly in-person contact Works with client to ensure the client's gainful employment Coordinates referrals with ancillary services to ensure that participants are able to access needed services and maintains ongoing communication with the provider Assists in locating transportation for participants to access services in the community Assesses the needs of the participants' children, i.e. day care, education, counseling, development screenings, health care exams, etc. and refers accordingly Life Skills Education Administers pre and post-tests of the Daniel Memorial Life Skill Evaluation tool and develops life skill curriculum around deficits. Administers pre and post Beck Depression Inventories and secures mental health services, as needed Works with participants to resolve back debts, including collecting monthly payments on promissory notes signed with

M.E.R.C.Y.

Provides individualized budgeting sessions Provides weekly oversight regarding participants' budgets, debts, spending habits Schedules services with relevant community financial resources. Introduces participants to money saving habits (thrift store shopping, use of coupons, etc.) Introduces participants to banking services and assists them with setting up checking and savings accounts. Develops individualized programs with participants, teaching time management and monitors for issues/problems at weekly session. Provides education on wellness issues, including stress management and healthy lifestyles Provides education/guidance on housekeeping and home management skills, performs weekly inspection of resident's apartments for safety, cleanliness, etc. Provides education/guidance on nutritional needs, including grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking Other Participates in MERCY House or Permanent Housing residential meetings Provides transportation, as needed for the achievement of service planning goals In collaboration with the Program Director helps develop evaluative criteria and assess program outcomes All other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Commitment to the mission of

M.E.R.C.Y.

Communities Demonstrated interest and skill in teaching and managing individuals who need structure and direction Empathic listening skills Observe safe and sensible boundaries Ability to evaluate crisis situations and take necessary action Able to meaningfully engage the client Able to give support and encouragement with the courage to confront the client about serious issues or situations Empower without enabling Ability to maintain confidentiality of information Ability to perform duties with minimum supervision, but within designated level of authority Demonstrated initiative and maturity Ability to enforce rules and expectations consistently Able to pass a background, CANTS check and drug screening Agree to abide by mandated reporter status Good organization and follow up skills Ability to address issues/problems in timely manner

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Bachelors Degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field or the equivalent experience in case management experience. Experience in group living and/or homelessness programs preferred Demonstrate an ability to support and contribute to community team Successfully pass drug test Valid Illinois driver's license/car insurance Able to work flexible hours (day, evenings and weekends as needed) to accommodate participant's schedules Rotation of on-call responsibility

REPORTS TO

Program Director and Executive Director Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$42,000.00 - $44,500.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Flexible spending account Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person