LHSC - Shelter Case Manager - Shelter House

Title:                 Shelter Case Manager (FT)

Department:     Loudoun Homeless Services Center (LHSC)

Reports to:        Assistant Director of Programs

FLSA Status:      Exempt

Salary:              $52K - $56K

About Us:

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children.  Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.)

About the Role:

The Shelter Case Manager will work with individuals and family residing in the Loudoun Homeless Services Center (LHSC) Emergency Shelter, primarily focusing on rapid rehousing initiatives. The role will provide low-barrier, housing-focused services that align with the Housing First model and trauma-informed. The Case Manager will welcome all participants with dignity and respect, supporting them in achieving their housing goals swiftly and effectively. Day to day responsibilities include conducting assessments to identify barriers to housing, assisting participants in accessing resources and benefits, facilitate goal setting, budgeting, and empowering participants in their progress towards securing and maintaining housing. Once assisting in locating housing is secured, the Case Manager will work to link households with services and resources to help them stabilize in their new housing and neighborhood. Providing the households with a warm handoff that may include assistance with tenant education, income enhancements, and connections to community resources. This role requires a fast-paced approach, as participant relationships are often time-limited. The Case Manager must effectively collaborate with landlords, community partners to prioritize a permanent positive housing solution for participants.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure each participant feels welcome in the shelter, has basic needs items and supplies throughout their stay, and understands community guidelines and safety procedures
• Provide relational and responsive case management support to each household
• With each household, develop Housing First focused service plans which are individualized to the household’s unique housing need; assist each household through the housing location process.
• Complete any relevant assessments or referrals needed to support the participant’s housing plan and needs
• Empathetically and firmly address any safety issues that may arise during the participant’s stay in shelter and work to help refocus efforts on their housing plan
• Once housing is secured, partner with participants to outline what supports are needed to address housing barriers and needs, and to develop an agreed upon plan to achieve housing related goals and to maintain housing stability
• Assist participants in securing needed or requested basic needs items and services such as clothing, employment opportunities, benefits, health resources, employment, childcare, educational resources, etc.
• Work to collect financial information from participants as well as formulate a working budget with them
• In collaboration with the Housing Locator, communicate and establish working relationships with local landlords to negotiate lease terms and advocate on behalf of participants
• Assist with developing a rental assistance package for participants utilizing a variety of funding sources, properly document the distribution of funds.
• Assist participants in accessing financial resources, including rapid re-housing rental assistance, and prepare and submit necessary documentation
• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with Shelter House Inc. employees, deployed staff, and involved agencies to ensure participants receive needed services in a timely manner
• Assure that all relevant information pertaining to participants is disseminated to all appropriate staff members in a timely manner
• Encourage and support the household to focus their efforts on attaining the objectives specified in their Service Plan
• Assist participants in planning for discharge from the program
• Document contact with all participants in a timely manner (within 48 hours) using internal tracking methods, participant files and HMIS as required
• Develop and facilitate training and workshops for participants on topics including but not limited to budgeting, self-care, seeking employment, mental health, etc.  
• Maintain complete participant records in accordance with agency and best practice standards
• Maintain current knowledge and ability to implement emergency procedures including responsibilities as a mandated reporter
• Be on call as directed by supervisor
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor
• Commit to being a continuous learner; study best practices implemented by Shelter House and Loudoun County DFS and collaborate with program management to implement 
• Empower and support participants in their successful completion of their identified goals
• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive participants to various locations
• Ensure compliance with all agency policies
• Proficiently operate a personal computer, fax, printer, copier and Microsoft Office products (email, calendar, drive, etc).
• Exemplify the Shelter House core values of (iCARE); Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment
• Perform other duties deemed necessary to support the program and agency

Requirements

 Required:

• A bachelor's degree in human services / related field or commensurate experience
• 1+ years of case management/direct services/other related experience
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements
• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions
• Ability to deliver creative, resourceful solutions to unique challenges
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation
• Ability to Drive a 15 passenger van
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours when needed

Preferred:

• Foreign Language fluency in a language other than English (ex. Spanish, Farsi, Arabic or Amharic)
• Experience with providing services to participants experiencing homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues
• Experience utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)

Physical Requirements:

• Annual TB Test is required
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods
• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds