Fair Ridge - Case Manager

Title: Case Manager

Level: Manager

Department: Fair Ridge Emergency Center

Reports to: Assistant Director of Programs

Salary Range: $52K-$56K

Location: Fair Ridge Family Shelter

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Fairfax, VA

About Us:

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County. Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence. In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children. Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.)

About the Role:

The Case Manager will work with 10-20 families in our Shelter, Prevention, and Rapid Rehousing Programs. This work is based both in the community as well as at the Fair Ridge Family Shelter. He/she will support the housing first model with a trauma informed care approach that will maximize the likelihood of client success and long-term self-sufficiency with the primary goal of assisting families with obtaining and maintaining housing. Responsibilities include conducting individual needs assessments, program planning, empowering clients’ progress toward housing, and assisting families in locating or maintaining housing options. Once housing is secured, the Case Manager will work to link families with services and resources to help them stabilize in their new housing and neighborhood. This follow up case management often includes assisting families with budgeting, learning how to be a model tenant, increasing income, and linkage to other service providers in the community. The Case Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for all assigned client services and provide guidance and support to clients working toward self-sufficiency. This work is fast paced, and the client relationships are often time limited. The Case Manager must be comfortable forming relationships with landlords and other community partners to ensure clients are able to secure housing as their top priority.

Responsibilities:

• Develop Housing First focused service plans, individualized to the client’s unique housing needs and guide families through the housing location process
• Proactively and creatively seek new housing opportunities and resources in Fairfax and other localities to assist families with locating housing
• Empathetically but firmly address any safety issues that may arise during the family’s stay in shelter and work to help refocus family’s efforts on their housing plan.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate, and conduct Family Shelter Planning Team meetings or professionals’ meetings to assist in housing planning
• Once housed, partner with families to outline what supports are needed to address housing barriers and needs and to develop an agreed on plan to achieve housing related goals and to maintain stable housing.
• Assist clients in securing appropriate services and coordinate delivery of services to clients (i.e. employment, housing, finance)
• Assist clients in improving money management by developing a working budget using financial information provided by clients
• Build and maintain relationships with area landlords who will work with families with multiple barriers and facilitate initial communication landlords and clients
• Educate client on topics including but not limited to tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, communicating with landlords, how to read a lease, identifying roommates, maintaining a household, etc.
• Assist with developing a rental assistance package for clients utilizing a variety of funding sources; properly document the distribution of these funds; lead the recertification process if families require additional funds to maintain housing.
• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with Shelter House Inc. employees, deployed staff, and involved agencies to ensure clients receive needed services in a timely manner
• Assure that all relevant information pertaining to clients is disseminated to all appropriate staff members in a timely manner
• Encourage the client and his/her family to focus their efforts on attaining the objectives specified in the Housing Plan and Housing Sustainability Plan
• Assist clients in plan for discharge from the program
• Timely documentation of all contacts with clients in client file and HMIS as required
• Maintain complete client records in accordance with agency and best practice standards
• Proficiently utilize Microsoft Suites applications (email, calendar, drive, docs, etc) as a part of day-to-day work requirements
• Maintain current knowledge and ability to implement of emergency procedures
• Be in rotation for Intake Phone as directed by supervisor
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor
• Commit to being a continuous learner. Study our practice models and work to improve work style and process based on best practice models.
• Empower and guide clients in their successful completion of the shelter/ housing program
• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive clients to various locations including housing viewings
• Ensure compliance with all agency policies
• Exemplify the Shelter House core values; Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment
• Other Duties as assigned

Requirements

Required:

• A bachelor's degree in human services/ related field or commensurate experience
• Foreign language fluency in Arabic or Spanish in addition to English
• 1+ years of case management/ direct services/other related experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements
• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions
• Ability to deliver creative, resourceful solutions to unique challenges
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation
• Ability to Drive a 15 passenger van
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed

Preferred:

• Foreign Language fluency in a language other than English (ex. Spanish, Farsi, Arabic or Amharic)
• Experience with providing services to clients experiencing homelessness, Mental Health or substance abuse issues
• Experience utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Physical Requirements:

• Annual TB Test is required
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds

Benefits

Benefits: 

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance 

• 401K contributions with a 4% employer match 

• 13 Paid Holidays, 2 Floating Holidays and the opportunity to take your Birthday Off 

• Two Semi-Annual Team Building Events 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy: Shelter House is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants. All employment-related decisions will be made and carried out without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age (over 40), sex, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability unrelated to the individual's ability to perform his or her job or any other legally protected status. Shelter House will also provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant and qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job, and to employees with respect to their observance of their religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Any job applicant or employee who would like or needs an accommodation may request an accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department. 

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy:

Drug-Free Workplace: Shelter House is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon compliance with our Drug-Free Workplace Policy, which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of controlled substances or marijuana in the workplace. Additionally, all subcontracts and purchase orders over $10,000 must include provisions ensuring a drug-free workplace.