Rapid Rehousing Case Manager

Position Title: Rapid Rehousing Case Manager

Supervised By: Rapid Rehousing Program Manager

Status: Full Time, Non-exempt

Wage: $25.60 - 27.15/hr (approx. $50,000 - $53,000/year). If bilingual English/Spanish, employee is eligible for additional $1/hr. (approx. $1950/year) for providing Spanish translation services (must pass on-site language assessment). Spanish speaking highly preferred.

• We offer staff free, on-the-clock clinical supervision hours towards LCSW certification. Participation is limited based on supervisor availability. Inquire if interested.*

Location: We are currently hiring for a hybrid position based at our Uptown location, with travel to off-site locations as needed. A reliable vehicle is required for the hybrid role. **Note: Hybrid Case Managers are required to work fully on-site for the first three months of employment**

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule is 9:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday - Friday. Occasional flexibility may be needed to accommodate client meetings during evenings or other non-standard hours.

About us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization located in Uptown working to end homelessness for women in Chicago since 1979. We provide women a full continuum of services, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness.

Summary

Rapid Rehousing (RRH) Case Managers provide intensive case management for clients placed in temporary apartments seeking permanent housing. Case Managers assist individuals with identifying barriers to housing stability and engage in goal planning that aims to link individuals to the resources and skills that they need in order to achieve long-term housing stability. This person is responsible for fostering a safe and trauma informed environment and must have experience working with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders. Most importantly, case managers have a passion for working with individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. This position requires a significant amount of record-keeping and documentation of services which must be completed within a timely manner, including data entry in HMIS. Adequate transportation needed for travel to conduct home visits, inspections, move-ins, etc.

Responsibilities

• Intensive Case Management: Conduct initial assessment and screening to all potential clients to determine eligibility.
• Service Planning: Utilize diversion skills to help those at risk of homelessness to identify immediate alternate housing arrangements, connecting them with needed resources, and identifying strengths and personal resources.
• Utilize all relevant resources (outside agencies, social support, budget assistance, etc.) to avoid eviction as much as possible.
• Assist clients as advocates for benefits, housing needs to include evictions, landlord negotiations and access to community resources.
• Coordinate access to services for clients with mental or physical health challenges, including accompaniment to appointments when necessary and facilitating connection to internal clinical services and external health providers.
• Assist in development of positive working relationships with other agencies serving those at risk of homelessness.
• Work with each client to develop and/or strengthen their Housing Stability Plan according to individual goals and objectives
• Maintain contact with all housing clients on a scheduled basis, appropriate to their particular status and needs
• Ensure that client interactions are person-centered, goal-focused and reflect each client’s goal plan
• Build professional relationships with clients, providers, and community partners
• Provide clients training in the areas of personal hygiene, accessing community resources, medical adherence, household management or other needs as outlined in the client’s goal plan
• Exercise patience, understanding, and concern for each client’s well-being, safety, development, and enjoyment of life
• Make referrals to supportive services in our community as appropriate and support client in navigating this process
• Facilitate and assist with client move-in/out process
• Effectively use HUD tools and ensure compliance with data standards and record-keeping as required by HUD
• Perform annual re-certifications and inspections for each client and accurately update files as necessary. Perform regular recertifications and monthly inspections.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with clients, coworkers, supervisor, and service providers in the community
• Receive referrals for individuals experiencing homelessness through the Expedited Housing Initiative
• Orient participants regarding the housing process and the rights and responsibilities of tenancy
• Assist the household in scheduling and travelling to appointments, unit viewings, and lease signing. Accompany the household for housing-related appointments/intakes as necessary
• Review and explain lease and other housing documents with household
• Assist households with applying or updating applications for subsidized housing such as senior housing as appropriate
• Develop rapport and positive working relationships with participants, including those who may be reluctant to engage
• Assist participants with accessing resources to meet immediate needs
• Collaborate with housing providers to learn what documents are needed to be housed and help household obtain documents, as current conditions allow
• Utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to support movement toward housing placement and to assist participants in resolving ambivalence about housing opportunities
• Attend and participate actively in all Accelerated Moving Events
• Ensure timely documentation of all client interaction and services and maintain accurate paperwork/reports
• Input accurate and complete data for all clients into HMIS and internal reports
• Ensure proper vouchering for participant rents

Other

• Attend staff meetings, training, supervisory meetings, and Sarah’s Circle events as instructed by supervisor
• Maintain current knowledge base by participating in educational or training opportunities, reading relevant publications, and maintaining professional networks
• Perform other duties, as assigned by supervisor

Competencies

• Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
• Receptiveness: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (both written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
• Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development

Qualifications

Education & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related social service field preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Job Experience & Requirements

• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, severe mental illness, and/or individuals with a history of trauma required.
• Previous case management experience highly preferred, ideally within the homeless services sector

Additional Requirements

• Possess or maintain reliable access to transportation for local travel to multiple sites (mileage reimbursement is provided). Vehicle must be operated with adequate Liability Insurance and valid driver’s license.
• Must obtain live HMIS credentials within 45 calendar days of hire
• Sarah’s Circle housing programs operate 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. This position requires occasional flexibility to meet with clients during evenings and weekends.
• Case managers deliver household items to clients which requires lifting boxes of up to approximately 40 pounds.
• Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling materials
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through administrative updates compliant with federal law

• Paid time off
• Dental insurance
• health insurance
• vision insurance
• EAP
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• FSA
• 401(k) Match at 6%
• HSA
• Mileage reimbursement

If bilingual English/Spanish, employee is eligible for additional $1/hr. (approx. $1950/year) for providing Spanish translation services (must pass on-site language assessment).