Case Manager, Runaway and Homeless Youth

Title: Case Manager, Runaway and Homeless Youth

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with emergency basic needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable and supportive housing for persons of low and moderate income, as well as HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

The Case Manager is an at will position that reports to the Manager of Youth and Family Counseling. This position will work within Lighthouse’s Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs serving young people ages 10-17. Sanctuary is a 3-week crisis intervention youth program while A Step Forward (ASF) is an up to 18 month transitional living program. The Case Manager will assist the youth with goal planning, advocacy, adhering to program guidelines. They will be committed to implementing trauma-informed care with a Positive Youth Development approach, helping youth identify and use their strengths to solve problems, achieve goals, and pursue their dreams. Within a team environment, this position will work closely with the counselor to provide continuity of care.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Manage a caseload of clients of 8-15 families including assessing individual/family needs, developing action plans, budgeting, and monitoring of client’s compliance with program rules,
• Work closely with the counselor to ensure continuity of care,
• Perform screenings, intakes, assessments for Sanctuary and ASF residential programs
• Maintain compliance with the Child Caring Institute License and funder rules and guidelines,
• Maintain agency approval to transport clients in your personal vehicle,
• Complete timely program entries, exits, and case notes using the Homelessness, Management Information System (HMIS) and paper file,
• Track case management activities and client outcomes in HMIS as well as in an internal tracking-log,
• Enter data in real-time when possible, and at least within 48 hours,
• Ensure the proper maintenance of client files and records,
• Collect data to support the measurement of program outcomes,
• Provide communication with the RHY team regarding new clients, exited clients, progress towards youth identified goals, and support needed,
• Provide intensive, weekly case management to individuals and families participating in the Sanctuary programs,
• Complete asset/needs assessments, psychosocial assessments, and assist clients in developing and implementing an Individual Service Plan outlining their goals and relevant action steps,
• Use the IPOS to provide a framework of services, activities and resources that are needed,
• Facilitate weekly group meeting for youth in the Transitional Living Program,
• Assist in providing weekly daytime, evening or on call support at the Sanctuary Shelter,.
• Complete shelter exit interviews, and assist individuals transitioning out of shelter with discharge planning,
• Refer clients to after care and community programs, upon exiting the shelter,
• Implement and enforce rules, policies, and shelter guest agreements to maintain a safe environment for clients, volunteers, and staff,
• Assist with administrative operations, answering phones, and crisis calls as needed,
• Assist with rotating on call support and shift coverage to ensure 24 hour care,
• Foster inter-agency collaborative solutions to help clients attain long-term stability,

Other Core Responsibilities

• Maintain approval to transport clients and provide transportation services as needed.
• Foster and coordinate inter-agency collaborative solutions and referrals to help clients connect with shelter, meet their goals, and attain long-term stability.
• Continuously improve and consistently implement various case management and data collection tools.
• Enforce program rules, policies, and procedures and uphold agency values to maintain a safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Participate in internal and external task-forces and committees working to assist the homeless population.

Minimum Qualifications

• Lived or professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme levels of poverty in the US.
• Associates degree
• 1-2 years’ experience in a role directly or indirectly related to human/social services and/or case management
• Reliable transportation to transport clients and maintenance of automobile insurance
• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves that right to require a driving record check with respect to any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.
• Knowledgeable in with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps,
• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast paced environment
• Ability to work with a challenging and diverse population
• Ability to work evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications

• BSW from a 4-year accredited college or university or master’s degree in a related field
• 2+ years’ experience in a role directly or indirectly related to a human/social services and/or case management
• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability,
• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas
• HMIS experience
• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff
• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving
• Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, and SPDAT training
• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams
• Experience in managing and leading teams
• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; exhibits willingness to have difficult conversations.
• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral.
• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively.
• Possess high emotional intelligence skills.
• Unwavering personal integrity.
• Ability to work in a fast paced, demanding, constantly changing environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential