Transitional Living Program Case Manager (Youth Programs)

Title: Transitional Living Program Case Manager (Youth Programs)

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 Transitional Living Program (TLP) Case Manager is an at-will position that reports to the TLP Program Manager. This position will provide case management to assist with goal planning, advocacy, and support to youth enrolled in the Graduated Apartment Program (GAP). GAP is a two-year scattered-site transitional living program for youth ages 18-24. The TLP Case Manager will support and empower youth through client-centered and trauma-informed service delivery to promote greater independence and regain long-term stability. Additionally, they will provide education and information to the community regarding these transitional living programs and housing services.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Perform screenings and intakes for GAP via the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS),
• Maintain a caseload of up to 20 active households,
• Complete asset/needs assessments and assist clients in developing and implementing an Individual Plan of Service (IPOS),
• Assist youth to connect with resources based on the goals identified IPOS,
• Use the IPOS to provide a framework for services, activities and resources that are needed,
• Assist clients in developing Housing Plans and Safety Plans,
• Maintain needed 90 day evaluation documentation both internally and within HMIS,
• Use the Mainstream Benefits Access Tool to screen and connect households to appropriate benefits,
• Screen and connect households to various internal and external housing programs and resources,
• Assist with landlord tenant training,
• Assist clients in identifying and obtaining housing after program stay,
• Outreach with landlords for successful transition from TLP to stable housing,
• Provide access to service delivery that may include transportation and advocacy for the individual,
• Provide ongoing case management by meeting and maintain consistent contact with individuals, minimally one hour each week no less than 4 hours a month,
• Provide discharge planning for all individuals to ensure permanent exits into housing,
• Refer clients to Lighthouse’s Follow-up Care program, upon exiting TLP into housing,
• Provide follow-up contacts to all past individual’s services at 90 and 180 days after exit in accordance with grant requirements. Provide crisis intervention, as needed,
• Provide ongoing feedback of individual’s movement toward achievement of their transitional goals, both to the individual and the service team,
• Utilize solution focused strategies and motivational interviewing techniques to assist individuals in progressing toward their identified goals,
• Complete timely case notes and service transactions via HMIS and collect needed data to support the measurement of program outcomes,
• And assist with afterhours remote access to the building for clients, as needed,
• Attend all TLP program meetings, agency staff meetings, and supervision meetings, and
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned,
• Maintain a shared landlord list to assist with landlord outreach and re-housing youth,
• Make referrals to other services as needed and work with other community providers to provide coordinated and collaborative services to clients,
• Once households are housed, provide a minimum of monthly case management
• Once housed through TLP, continue to assist clients in applying for and obtaining mainstream benefits including MDHHS and Section 8,
• Perform intakes, exits, and assessments for GAP clients within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS),
• Maintain accurate, thorough, and timely records of all activities including group notes, case notes, client and general log entries, contact records, and service transactions in HMIS for monthly statistics for grant requirements, and HMIS entries,
• Establish rapport with youth and help connect them to desired services in an effort to obtain individualized goals while they are enrolled in our programs and during their 90 days of aftercare,

Other Core Responsibilities

• Maintain approval to transport clients and provide transportation services as needed.
• Foster inter-agency collaborative solutions to help clients meet their goals and attain long-term stability,
• Ensure the proper maintenance of client related files and records.
• 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.
• Assist with front-desk operations, answering phones, and crisis calls as needed.
• 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, as needed

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
• Previous experience providing homeless recovery services to youth
• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability,
• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas, trauma informed principles and values, Positive Youth Development, behavioral management, de-escalation techniques, basic intervention skills, and homeless recovery services
• 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
• 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 functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.