Case Manager, Problem Solving Specialist - Westside

Case Manager, Problem Solving Specialist - Westside

1453 16th St, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA Req #11481

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Role: Case Manager, Problem Solving Specialist - Westside

Reports to: Program Manager, Problem Solving - Westside

Program: 1700- Coordinated Entry System

Department: CES

Location: Westside Administration Office - 1453 16th Street, 2nd Floor, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Setting: Not 100% Onsite

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm

Status: Full-time/Non-Exempt/Non-Management

Benefits: Medical, Vision, Dental, Life Insurance, 403(b) Retirement plan, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc.

Openings: 1

SUMMARY:

The Coordinated Entry System (CES) Problem Solving program is a short-term housing intervention that seeks to assist participants in maintaining their current housing or identifying an immediate and safe housing alternative within their own network of family, friends, and social supports.

The Problem Solving Specialist diverts participants from entering the homeless shelter system in coordination with CES lead agencies by securing and stabilizing housing via linkages to services that include but are not limited to legal services, one-time financial assistance, and housing-related support services. Problem Solving also ensures that those households who do not have alternative housing options are quickly connected to existing emergency or crisis housing services to ensure their immediate health and safety needs are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assess housing barriers of participants who are unstably housed and at-risk of homelessness to determine housing and service needs.
• Request and coordinate Problem Solving Assistance funds with our funder (LAHSA) to ensure client financial needs are being met.
• Develop housing procurement, financial, and self-sufficiency case management plans with participants, including an intake interview/assessment to determine household needs, goals, and eligibility.
• Immediately after completion of intake/assessment, enter data directly into the Problem Solving document in HMIS.
• Provide advocacy with landlords on the household’s behalf to develop a workable plan to maintain housing.
• Maintain a caseload of a minimum of 25 individuals and maintain weekly case notes in our Homeless Service Management System (HMIS).
• Mediation and dispute resolution with previous/current landlords, friends, or family. Work in conjunction with legal service entities to facilitate the workflow between case management and legal service support.
• Linkage to credit counseling and other services necessary to assist program participants with critical skills related to budgeting, managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit problems.
• Provide reunification or relocation services and support.
• Document all services identified and provided, referrals made, and transportation provided.
• Advocate for and actively assist individuals in obtaining services (e.g., benefits, housing referrals, financial assistance, home-based services, training, medical services, mentoring, and socialization).
• Use automated technology including HMIS and hard copy files to maintain, update, and report on case data, goal attainment, and outcomes in a timely manner.
• For clients who obtain Financial Assistance from this program, ensure a complete chart is maintained, including eligibility documentation and program agreements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge of homeless social service providers and the Coordinated Entry System.
• Able to communicate and interact with subcontractors, housing providers, and community partners in a culturally competent manner.
• Detail-oriented with excellent time management, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a fast-paced work environment.
• Able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One year full-time experience working with the homeless, preferably those living with mental illness and/or substance addictions.
• Combination of field and office environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, bend; occasionally lift or carry up to 35 lbs.
• Occasionally walk or drive to different local sites.
• Will necessitate working in busy and loud environments.
• Will be exposed to elements like cold, heat, dust, noise, and odor.
• May need to bend, stoop, twist, and sit throughout the day.

EXPECTED BEHAVIORS OF ALL STAFF:

• Act as a role model.
• Demonstrate a sense of responsibility.
• Continuously learn and improve.
• Acknowledge your own areas of improvement.
• Hear and provide honest, specific, and direct feedback.
• Create an environment where everyone is welcomed, valued, and respected.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The People Concern is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to non-discrimination in employment. We select the most qualified individual for the job based on job-related qualifications regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, ancestry, marital status, credit history, sexual orientation, arrest and court record, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or other applicable laws.

About the People Concern:

The People Concern empowers the most vulnerable among us to rebuild their lives. One of Los Angeles County’s largest social services agencies, The People Concern was formed in 2016 in a merger of two trusted social service organizations based in Los Angeles County, OPCC and Lamp Community. Informed by more than fifty-eight years of work in the community, The People Concern is a leading provider of, and advocate for, evidence-based solutions to the multi-faceted challenges inherent in homelessness and domestic violence.

With compassion and profound respect for those we serve, we provide a fully integrated system of care – including outreach, interim housing, mental and medical health care, substance abuse services, domestic violence services, life skills & wellness programs, and permanent supportive housing – tailored to the unique needs of homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, challenged youth, and others who have nowhere else to turn.

The People Concern’s model of integrated and comprehensive care empowers our participants to navigate the multi-faceted obstacles in their lives, become their best selves, and ultimately, connect with and contribute to their communities.