Bridge Case Manager

Essential Functions

The Bridge Housing Case Manager provides comprehensive case management and mental health support to homeless individuals and families residing in bridge housing. This role focuses on helping clients with mental health diagnoses, ensuring access to housing, treatment, and supportive services. The Case Manager will provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and referrals for clients experiencing psychosis, mental health breakdowns, or co-occurring disorders.

Program Coordination & Compliance:

• Maintain Agency database and statistics as needed.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case notes and documentation in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Ensure compliance with funding requirements and agency policies.
• Coordinate with other service providers, including mental health professionals, substance use counselors, and employment specialists.
• Attend team meetings, training sessions, and community outreach events.

Client Advocacy & Crisis Intervention:

• Address barriers to housing and employment by advocating on behalf of clients.
• Provide crisis intervention and conflict resolution as needed.
• Educate clients on tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Helping clients make doctors appointments
• Ensuring clients get their doctors appointments
• Providing support, encouragement, and accountability to clients in their daily activities toward reaching the goal of self-sufficiency.
• Conducting random client drug tests.
• Providing substantial client direction regarding essential life skills such as budgeting and the monitoring of client’s savings accounts.
• Client referrals to community resources.

Case Management & Mental Health Support:

• Conduct trauma-informed intake assessments and interviews and develop individualized service plans for residents.
• Provide supportive case management for clients with mental health conditions, ensuring they have access to appropriate treatment and resources.
• Identify warning signs of mental health crises, including psychosis, suicidal ideation, or extreme distress, and intervene as needed.
• Coordinate mental health and substance use services by referring clients to behavioral health providers, psychiatrists, and outpatient treatment programs.
• Work closely with clients’ mental health teams, including therapists, caseworkers, and psychiatric providers.
• Assist clients with obtaining SSI, SSDI, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal benefits to support their treatment and stability.
• Group Activities and Life Skills

Crisis Intervention & De-escalation:

• Respond to mental health emergencies, providing immediate de-escalation, grounding techniques, and emotional support.
• Maintain a calm, non-judgmental, and compassionate approach in high-stress situations.

Housing Support & Navigation:

• Assist clients in securing permanent housing, working with landlords, housing agencies, and supportive housing programs.
• Help clients navigate housing applications, disability accommodations, and rental assistance programs.
• Provide ongoing support after housing placement to ensure long-term stability and prevent eviction.

Program Coordination & Compliance:

• Document all client interactions and interventions in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
• Ensure compliance with state, county, and agency policies, including confidentiality and client rights.
• Work collaboratively with Orange County Behavioral Health Services, crisis teams, and hospitals when necessary.

Client Advocacy & Empowerment:

• Educate clients on mental health management, coping strategies, and self-advocacy.
• Advocate for clients' housing rights, disability accommodations, and equitable access to healthcare.
• ADL’s

Additional Responsibilities

• Produce reports as specified by governmental funding requirements or requested by Colette's Children's Home management.
• Functioning as a liaison between client and external agencies.
• Management and maintenance of client progress.
• Maintaining Site Safety and cleanliness
• Attend training classes or meetings as required or as needed to maintain overall program integrity, individual client success, and fulfill agency requirements.
• Maintain communication with CCH Program Manager and other staff members by attending weekly staff meetings and completing written reports when necessary.
• ADL's
• Maintaining Client files and case notes updated within 24 hours
• Conduct client exits according to established policies of Colette's Children's Home.
• Assist with data collection, grant reporting, and funding requirements.
• Participate in staff training on mental health, de-escalation, and trauma-informed care.
• Other duties as assigned by the program manager.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities. and Personal Attributes Required:

• Experience working with individuals with duel diagnosis.
• Experience in Mental Health
• Reliability, dependability, and responsibility in all assigned duties.
• Ability to inspire and motivate clients by being a positive role model and influence.
• Ability to maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times.
• Effective written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Effective time management skills.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in difficult situations.
• Strong problem solving and conflict management skills.
• Understanding of and sensitivity to diverse populations and social situations.
• Must be bilingual in English and Spanish

Physical Demands:

The following physical demands must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to operate all equipment necessary to perform the job and to move or lift up to 35 pounds
• Subject to standing, walking, sitting, bending, reaching, kneeling, pushing, and pulling.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, or a related field
• Experience working with individuals with severe mental illness (SMI), psychosis, and co-occurring disorders.
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation experience required.
• Knowledge of Orange County mental health resources, housing programs, and social services.
• Ability to handle high-stress situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Proficiency in HMIS and Microsoft Office Suite,
• Valid California driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Schedule:

Monday: 8:30am-5pm

Tuesday: 8:30am-pm

Wednesday: 11-7:30pm

Thursday: 8:30-5pm

Friday: 8:30-5pm

Position will be mainly in Placentia, with one or two days in Huntington Beach.