Roots To Grow Case Manager

ABOUT SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH:     

Safe Place for Youth (SPY) is the leading service provider for youth experiencing or at-risk of homelessness in West Los Angeles. Founded in 2011, our agency offers trauma-informed, low barrier programs that support young people in exiting the streets and achieving stability so that they can thrive, not just survive. Our robust continuum of care includes street outreach, drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management, education and employment services, and housing programs. 

SPY is a unique social impact agency that is committed to overcoming structural barriers to equity, community collaboration, and innovative youth-focused programming. If you have the skills, passion and collaborative spirit, join our growing team of over 75 employees.

SPY strives to attract and develop individuals who reflect a broad spectrum of diversity, including (but by no means limited to) racial, ethnic, gender identity and socioeconomic dimensions. We believe that inclusion of diverse perspectives is essential to achieving long-term, systemic change. We explicitly seek applications from those who self-identify as coming from historically marginalized populations to enrich and elevate our equity-centered approach to problem-solving.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

In partnership with Venice Community Housing (VCH), our transitional living program (TLP), Roots to Grow, provides housing and a robust continuum of care to 20 young adults between the ages of 18-25. The live-in Resident Coordinators support with general oversight of the property, cleanliness, safety, crisis de-escalation, and conflict management. The Resident Coordinators and Case Manager work closely with each resident to provide guidance and coaching on long-term housing stability, financial literacy, education, employment, daily living skills, and other identified needs. Together, the team works to prepare and support our youth for successful independent living and self-sufficiency. 

The Roots to Grow Case Manager meets with each youth on site to conduct case management sessions. Sessions include, but are not limited to advocacy, needs assessments, psychoeducation, linkage and referrals to community resources, creating housing stability plans, scheduling appointments, and monitoring progress on case plans. This position may require some evening and weekend hours.   

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Create individualized case plans identifying housing, education, employment, wellness, and financial goals, as well as other identified areas of need. 
• Gather and analyze on-going information to ensure safety, well-being, and progress.
• Facilitate case management sessions that include interventions and strategies focused on harm-reduction, trauma-informed care, and housing first approaches and models. 
• Provide mediations, de-escalation interventions, and crisis management as needed.
• Organize, schedule, and facilitate youth and team meetings.
• Transport youth as necessary.
• Utilize the Youth Coordinated Entry System (YCES) to link youth to housing resources. 
• Utilize the Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA) Housing Management Information System (HMIS).
• Develop and maintain partnerships and collaboration with Venice Community Housing (VCH), service providers, and other SPY programs and departments. 
• Participate in external and internal meetings.
• Complete documentation and data entry, including but not limited to, case and service plans, progress notes, youth agreements, resident progress tracker, etc.
• Other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• B.A. or B.S. in Psychology, Sociology, or related field with 2 or more years of experience in case management, counseling or related experience; or in place of a degree, 5+ years of relevant experience (preferably with transitional aged youth). 
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities and sexual orientations in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills. 
• Ability to collaboratively work in community settings, but with the capacity to work independently.
• High level of personal accountability for the quality and impact of work. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Dropbox.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Changes in the environment, such as the office or outdoors.

Physical effort/lifting, such as sedentary- up to 15-20 pounds at times.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Driver Positions:

*Applicants for positions that require driving are required to provide a copy of their driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, along with a copy of their valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. Job offers are contingent upon a satisfactory driving record. Examples of an unsatisfactory driving record include:

• Suspended or revoked license
• Three or more moving violations in the past 36 months
• Any violations, including drugs, alcohol, controlled substances, within the past 24 months
• Reckless driving, including hit and runs, within the past 24 months
• At fault accidents, resulting in fatality or serious injury, within the past 5 years

The motor vehicle record will need to include a review of all states listed on the individual's employment application and resume. See instructions on obtaining your driving record below:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/

For driver positions, driving is an essential job function and cannot be reasonably accommodated, employment may be discontinued.

NOTE: All staff members will be considered introductory employees for the first three months of employment and will not be considered regular employees until the conclusion of this period. SPY reserves the right to extend an employee’s introductory period. In no way does the expiration of this introductory period change the fact that all employees are at-will. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to orient the employee and to communicate the expectations of the supervisor and SPY, as well as to evaluate whether the employee has the necessary level of skill, job knowledge, motivation, and attitude to become a regular member of the SPY staff. New employees are also encouraged to seek guidance and assistance during this period. Employees who fail to demonstrate the expected commitment, performance and attitude may be terminated at any time during the introductory period. However, completion of the introductory period does not change or alter the “at-will” employment status. Employees continue to have the right to terminate their employment/business relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and SPY has the same right. The organization, in its sole discretion, may change the job duties, responsibilities and assignments of any position, at any time.