Case Manager II - HOPWA Grant

Job description

The HOPWA Housing Specialist Case Manager II will be responsible for providing Housing Services to our HIV-positive patients at Van Nuys Adult Health Center. It is mandatory to participate in community outreach events, such as Pride celebrations, health fairs, and other inter-agency events, to identify potential HOPWA clients and promote program enrollment.
Reports to: HIV Program Manager / HIV Programs Administrator
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, psychology, or public health is required.
• Previous experience in providing direct patient services in a medical environment, or previous experience in working with seropositive patients in a clinical or social services environment is preferred.
• Must maintain a current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation certification, in compliance with corporate CPR Policy.
• Must obtain Housing Specialist Certification within 90 days of hire.
• Strong knowledge and experience with HIV patients preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of Eccovia Client Track preferred.
• Strong writing skills are required for extensive grant-driven narrative reports depicting caseload specifics.
• Strong public speaking skills preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with Ryan White’s HRSA performance outcome measures preferred.
• A demonstrated ability to talk freely, openly, and frankly about sexual practices from social perspectives. Must be willing to use "street language" as clients/patients use it without being offended; however, professionalism must be maintained at all times.
• Fluency in English (speaks, reads, and writes) required.
• Fluency in Spanish (speaks, interprets, reads, and writes) required.
• Current California driver’s license, appropriate insurance coverage, and a driving record acceptable to the NEVHC’s insurance carrier (if required to drive on the job).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Provide housing location services with hands-on, direct assistance in helping the client find appropriate housing, including working with staff from the HOPWA Information & Referral Program, contacting property owners and management companies, developing housing availability resource lists, negotiating on the client's behalf, and developing expertise in affordable housing and available housing subsidies.
• Assist with housing applications by helping clients gather the necessary documentation, reviewing applications for accuracy and completeness, and preparing clients for interviews with landlords or housing authorities.
• Assist clients with landlord and property management negotiations as needed.
• Assist clients with moving to the new apartment (i.e., help locate affordable moving companies, local storage companies, and other moving-related services).
• Educate clients on landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, budgeting, leases, and rental agreements, as well as interpersonal skills for interacting successfully with property managers and neighbors.
• Educate clients about their new neighborhood, including services, grocery stores, hospitals, etc.
• Assist clients with applications for HOPWA services, including Short-Term Rent, Mortgage, Utility Grants, Permanent Housing Placement grants, Permanent Supportive Housing, Tenant-Based Rental Assistance certificates, Scattered-Site Master Leasing Project-Based Rental Assistance, and supportive services.
• Help clients address poor rental/credit histories by providing or making referrals for education on how rental/credit histories are constructed, credit status, credit repair, and how to address this barrier during interviews with prospective landlords.
• Act as liaison between the property owner and clients and other referral agencies as necessary.
• Offer services or provide referrals for increasing income: Benefit counseling, employment training, job counseling, etc.
• Provide warm handoffs to outplacement alternatives, such as substance use counseling, behavioral health counseling, and licensed residential care facilities.
• Ensure access to free or affordable medical and dental care and medication management through connections and referrals.
• Conduct follow-up assessments for up to one year after a client moves into permanent or other appropriate housing and after services are provided. This will include on-site visits, telephone calls, and other activities to assess housing stability and provide additional services to help clients maintain their housing.
• Assess clients’ acuity to determine the extent of the follow-up needed to ensure clients’ success in maintaining their housing.
• Refer clients to other supportive services to assist with housing stability, such as food and nutrition programs and legal services. Supportive service referrals should include the agency name, all contact information, appointment dates and times, transportation assistance, vouchers, and follow-up with the referral agency and clients to document the outcome.

Northeast Valley Health Corporation provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Northeast Valley Health Corporation complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.