idealist.org

COMMONWEALTH LAND TRUST is a non-profit affordable housing, homelessness prevention nonprofit operating in Boston, Chelsea and Lawrence. The position offered is located in LAWRENCE, Massachusetts.

POSITION AVAILABLE: Social Services Coord, Case Manager, Addictions & HIV/AIDS Specialist

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Social Services Coord, Case Manager, Addictions & HIV/AIDS Specialist will provide case management, addictions relapse prevention and HIV/AIDS health concerns support to our clients in Lawrence. Duties include but are not limited to:
• Conducting initial client intakes and assessment interviews
• Designing individual service plans for each client tailored to their needs
• Collaborating with property management staff to preserve the tenancy of our residents
• Collaborating with outside providers and case managers to ensure delivery of needed services to our residents
• Identifying addictions concerns among clients and offering appropriate support
• Identifying mental health concerns among clients and offering appropriate support
• Recording accurate case notes and coding them according to funder requirements
• Coordinating educational groups with clients on HIV/AIDS and related health issues

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will be well-versed in addictions-related issues (and preferably have an LADC or equivalent training/work experience), comfortable with a harm-reduction approach to clients, competent with paperwork, street-smart, and nonjudgmental. You should have the ability to be self confident, friendly, firm and polite and know how to deescalate and/or confront situations appropriately.

SALARY: $28,000 - $35,000 depending on experience. Generous benefits include health, dental, life, disability, 25 paid days off/year and 13 paid holidays.

APPLICATIONS: Accepted until filled.

SEND LETTER & RESUME VIA EMAIL TO: bcltrust@gmail.com

Women, persons of color, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

WEBSITE: http://www.commonwealthlandtrust.org
If you'd like more information about Commonwealth Land Trust, there are several video clips on line where we're featured. CLT is featured on this video that the Governor's Office created to recap the first year of the Commonwealth Corps program http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiTC84pI6Vo

A speech delivered by our President supporting the Commonwealth Corps program:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WkUytwK4rI

A tour of one of our flagship programs: http://www.fhlbboston.com/communitydevelopment/onsite/onsite_2/bowdoin.jsp

Detailed Job Description

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor and Administrative Supervisor

Required Skills:
Fluency in both Spanish and English
Experience and training in mental health, social service provision and/or case management, and/or with prior experience working with populations similar to those we serve, including people with HIV, people with histories of drug and alcohol addiction and people living with mental illness.
Ability to assess and appropriately respond to a range of residents’ needs including those in crisis situations.
Ability to work comfortably with people of varying racial/ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, language and socio-economic differences.
Ability to work well independently as well as with a team that includes property managers, staff assistants, outside social service providers and community groups.
Patient, dedicated, personable, honest
Basic knowledge of Word, spreadsheet, database programs.
Ability to work in small, non-profit environment
Bilingual Spanish & English (spoken & written) required

Job Duties
Provide services to Spanish-speaking residence in their native/first language to better facilitate a communication in a care-giving relationship partly reliant on establishing trust and confidence between case manager and client.
Work collaboratively with CLT Property Management staff
Conduct assessment/intake and screening of prospective residents in collaboration with property management staff.
Act as a liaison with property managers regarding residents with potential or perceived problems related to financial and daily living skills at the properties to come up with a plan to remain capable of living independently
Identify and implement Individual Service Plans (ISPs) with residents.
Provide assistance and support to residents both during their transition into permanent housing and during their tenure at the residence.
Assist residents with access to resources pertaining to their health needs: assess need for and make mental health/psychiatric care referrals; assess need and make referrals for substances abuse treatment or detoxification services; confirm client involvement with outside medical professionals specializing in their areas of need, and ask for confirmation (verbal or otherwise) of attendance to medical needs/scheduled appointments; ensure that client is enrolled in a health insurance program and has access to affordable prescription drugs; assist client in identifying harm reduction goals associated with substance abuse, and/or other maladaptive behaviors.; encourage resident to engage in sexual activity in a “safe” way to minimize transmission of disease; get annual TB test status and verify resident is receiving appropriate treatment or care if relevant.
Assist residents with access to resources pertaining to their need to improve self esteem through increasing self sufficiency and community engagement: encourage and assist resident in the process of returning to employment, identifying volunteer opportunities, pursuing education or otherwise interfacing with the world outside.
Assist residents with access to resources pertaining to their financial needs: budgeting, financial planning, subsidy and other forms of government and private financial assistance; enroll residents in food stamps and free food deliveries/food bank; help identify sources for donations of basic personal care items, clothing, bedding, and house wares, if necessary; sign up for fuel assistance, rental and/or security deposit help; ensure client understands how to utilize the disability insurance system.
Provide extended case management services to residents or, if those services are provided elsewhere, monitor the adequacy of those services.
If resident is unable or unwilling to receive needed social services, recommend other resident stabilization options to Property Management staff and or outside service providers.
Meet with every assigned client an average of two times each month (more if needed) or as determined appropriate during the initial and 6 month updated ISP.
Work with outside service providers, government agencies, housing authorities, etc. to resolve problems and meet reporting requirements
Make referrals and link residents with appropriate community resources.
Execute mutual releases with outside caregivers and outside service providers in order that when residents’ behaviors indicate that their needs are not being met CLT can work in collaboration to stabilize the resident and prevent a return to homelessness.
Prepare a quarterly newsletter and/or post community bulletins to inform residents of on-going and special activities and community resources.
Complete ongoing paperwork:
Resident progress notes
Coded documentation of services delivered for reporting purposes
Release of information changes
Daily log entries
Supervisory notes
Incident reports (as needed)
Maintain personal, emergency and health referral information for each resident including an annual update of such files
Attend unit, department and agency meetings as required.
Participate in continuing education
Respond to emergencies; 24/7 availability by pager
Other duties as may be assigned from time to time by Supervisor

E-mail cover letter and resume to bcltrust@gmail.com