Case Management Specialist

Case Management Specialist

JOB SUMMARY
 

Interviews, accepts, and provides comprehensive, long-term, structured, complex, case management services for an assigned caseload of clients participating in an established life management program; understands the uniqueness of the client’s history in order to determine most effective program plans; develops comprehensive program plan/goals and evaluates client's progress by conducting mentoring and counseling sessions with client and/or staff; serves as advocate for client in order to acquire services that will enable them to functionally cope with their environment; ensures constant compliance with funding requirements.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this position. The incumbent may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this job description.

CASE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (40%)

Establishes unique comprehensive long-term program goals (three months or more) for eligible clients based on personality, decision-making abilities, mental capabilities, addiction history, family involvement, etc.; explains goals to client in a manner that is easily understood; consistently counsels client on ways to modify or stop negative behaviors while in the program.

Outsources clients to additional counseling resources if needed; maintains awareness of progress with external case management professionals, working as a team to meet the holistic needs of the individual.

Meets regularly with clients to discuss and evaluate their progress, feelings, impressions, changes and personal growth/development; prepares accurate and up-to-date records documenting the same; receives incident reports and enforces disciplinary actions for infractions of the house guidelines.

Facilitates individual and group discussion to ensure clients’ attitudes and motivations are progressing; redirects negativity, promotes self-awareness and provides appropriate encouragement.

Plans, coordinates, and/or facilitates life management, behavior modification, addiction-related (Celebrate Recovery), etc. classes to assist clients in obtaining skills that will enable them to functionally cope with their environment; obtains speakers and workshop presenters as needed.

Maintains awareness of the program requirements necessary to maintain existing funding; ensures that measurable outcomes correspond with requirements and makes adjustments to case management processes as necessary.

Analyzes statistical information and case outcomes to ensure that recidivism is not occurring on a regular basis; recommends and implements changes to program guidelines to reduce repetitive requests for service.

Completes and articulates discharge plans to clients exiting the program.

Attends community meetings with representatives of other agencies in order to educate them about the program, make client referrals and maintain awareness of client's progress.
 

SOCIAL SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES (35%)
 

Greets and interviews clients requesting assistance to determine client's eligibility for assistance based on program guidelines and restrictions; records client’s disposition and other pertinent information such as income, expenses, and family and work history; assists clients in completing applications for assistance; photocopies picture identification cards, payroll statements, utility bills, etc. Records the four last numbers of the client’s social security card numbers.

Prepares, completes, and processes food, clothing, and furniture vouchers for eligible clients; directs clients to Family Store or Food Pantry for assistance.

Locates and arranges temporary housing for eligible clients; contacts local lodges, homeless shelters, motels, churches, etc. for lodging.

Processes rent and utility financial assistance for eligible clients; contacts utility organizations and landlords to arrange and process financial assistance.

Assists eligible clients needing transportation assistance based on medical or relocation needs; arranges transportation through bus-line and contacts family members, friends, churches for assistance.

Serves as liaison to other agencies to obtain/coordinate assistance on client's behalf; builds and maintains professional working relationships with communityagencies.

Interviews applicants to determine eligibility for program enrollment based on established facility guidelines and requirements; conduct needs assessment, obtain pertinent information; refers applicants to other agencies if not appropriate forprogram.

Educates parent on required documents needed to enroll children in local schools/childcare; assists parent in obtaining necessary records; assists parent in enrollment process.

Provides direct assistance in obtaining and maintaining self-sustaining sources of income, benefits, and other economic supports as well as professional resources that provide assistance in enhancing clients’ psychosocial well-being.

Assists clients in locating/securing affordable housing; works closely with client to transition in the new housing; conducts home visitations when appropriate; ensures that client's living quarters are properly furnished and maintained; contacts appropriate person to facilitate needed repairs; conducts routine inspections of living quarters and grounds.

Refers clients to appropriate Corps programs or other agencies based on clients’ needs and in accordance with their program plan.
 

FOOD PANTRY RESPONSIBILITIES (15%)
 

Prepares food bags/boxes according to the number of family members; packs food items in boxes and marks boxes accordingly to distribute to clients.

Receives, inspects and sorts donated food items according to the category and condition.

Coordinates the retrieval, storage, and distribution of food and commodities for the program. Prepares labels for food; packages food.

Monitors expiration dates on all food in the pantry; discards outdated or damaged food.

Keeps food pantry organized and well-stocked; lifts and carries items to the appropriate destination for distribution to clients.

Maintains food pantry area in a neat and orderly manner; cleans floors, tables, and work areas.

Determines the appropriate amount of food to order for the program; maintains and organizes an adequate inventory of food and supplies for the Food Program; ensures the supply meets the needs of the program; places food orders; prepares records and charts to be used to facilitate/document the distribution of food and supplies toclients.

Supervises and assigns the work of community service workers and submits paperwork to Adult Probation Services; serves as a liaison to parole officers and completes court-orderedpaperwork.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES (10%)

Prepares and maintains case records and logs on all assigned clients; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same; enters pertinent information into the established Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Prepares and maintains statistical records on all services provided; compiles and prepares monthly statistical reports; ensures the accuracy and completeness of the same.

Prepares case presentations for the supervisor; prepares and presents cases directly to any Coalitions, funding bodies or Case Conferences as directed.

Performs recordkeeping duties to ensure that all expenditures are properly recorded and submitted to the bookkeeper and Social Services Manager as appropriate for submission to grantor.
 

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

Conducts tours of program facility for outside agencies as requested. Assists in developing and revising the service policy manual.

Assists with community services as needed.
 

Assists in performing social service work for special or seasonal projects. Performs other duties as assigned.
 

MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT

Personal Computer General Office Equipment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the principles and practices of social service case management. Knowledge of social service resources and agencies in the community.

Knowledge of effective communication and motivation practices.

Knowledge and commitment to computerized Client Data Management System usage and emphasis on outcome measurement.
 

Ability to develop program plans and goals based on client's needs.

Ability to assess and evaluate level of service provided to ensure service evaluations are favorable and meet or surpass funding requirements.

Ability to evaluate the client's progress toward program goals. Ability to work with the public encompassing all types of behaviors.

Ability to interview clients and to obtain pertinent information.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete case notes and client records.

Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work to accomplish work in compliance with quality standards and deadlines.

Ability to build and maintain effective and professional working relationships with clients and community agencies.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Education and Experience

 
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or a related field, and Three years progressively responsible experience providing direct case management social services including accessing clients’ needs and developing individual, comprehensive, long-term action plans for recovery utilizing a wide variety of resources,

or

any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CERTIFICATIONS

Valid State Drivers License

PHYSCIAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to meet attendance requirements.
 

Ability to read, write, and communicate the English language effectively. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to think clearly and quickly to maintain control of client caseload.

Ability to effectively and efficiently work on multiple cases at the same time without becoming frustrated or disorganized.

Limited amount of physical effort required associated with walking, standing, lifting, and carrying light objects (less than 25 lbs.) 5-10% of work time.

Duties are usually performed seated. Sitting may be relieved by brief or occasional periods of standing or walking.
 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a shelter environment where there may be exposure to physical health risks and unsanitary conditions. Work involves driving a vehicle to off-site meetings and home visits where there may be physical discomforts associated with changes in weather or discomforts associated with noise, dust, dirt, and the like.