JOB SUMMARY:
The Care Coordinator for Agave will conduct ongoing tenant engagement to encourage participation in support services under a Housing First model. Engagement will include welcoming the tenant to their new community, establishing trust through relationship building, assisting the tenant with understanding the services that are available and assisting the tenant with accessing those services. The Care Coordinator will work to keep tenants connected with the agency and community resources that meet their housing, financial, social service, mental health and physical health needs and for assisting the tenant with maintaining their housing at Agave. The Care Coordinator at Agave will also support community building through participating and leading social activities, support groups, and providing educational opportunities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:
- Strive to recognize the best in each tenant and to support the meaningful change they seek through building relationships and utilizing motivational interviewing techniques and strength based case management tools.
- Assist tenant in developing individualized service plans to meet goals developed in relationship to the tenant.
- Meet with each tenant on regularly scheduled basis and document progress and strength in progress notes.
- Transport tenant as needed to essential appointments that support their wellbeing.
- Assist tenant in navigating and abiding by their lease obligations and house rules.
- Provide advocacy and assistance for tenant during lease violation, and assist tenant with identifying needed behavioral changes.
- Assist tenant in navigating, gaining, and maintaining financial, social, and medical services.
- Assist tenant with their mental health needs by making arrangements for the provision of psychiatric or therapeutic services.
- Coordinate on-site recreational, social and community-building activities; support groups; and educational opportunities such as computer classes, speakers, etc. Revised 2/7/2023 Page 1 of 3
- Provide documentation that establishes the person's eligibility for services and the provision of services required by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations and guidelines.
- Keep client records and information current and accurate in HMIS and CHAMP.
- Organize all record keeping and chart management in compliance with USHS QA standards.
- Other duties as assigned by Manager of Agave.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Work indoors in temperature controlled environment and occasionally exposed 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:
- Possess valid Driver's License and have access to a properly registered vehicle.
- Familiar with transitional and permanent housing resources throughout Los Angeles County.
- Knowledgeable of substance abuse and mental health issues.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications.
- Ability to accurately enter client data and notes in CHAMP and HMIS database systems.
- Understanding of case management practices and ability to accurately and clearly document case notes.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Detail oriented and highly organized.
- Ability to multi-task and manage time working on various projects.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Qualifications
- Option I: A Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field.
- Option II: Have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in a related human services field.
- Option III: Successful demonstration of required skills through current or past USHS direct employment or temporary assignment may be considered in lieu of the standard required years of experience.
Desirable
- Experience working with participants with complex medical, mental health, and/or substance use conditions strongly preferred.
- Experience in the following areas strongly preferred: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, medical, mental health, or substance use services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
- Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.
Union Station Homeless Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer
40 hours/week; non -exempt