Care Coordinator (CORE+)

Heluna-Health; Richmond (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Heluna Health seeks a Care Coordinator to provide strengths-based, trauma-informed case management for individuals facing homelessness and related health needs in Contra Costa County. You will engage with participants using harm-reduction principles and coordinate with local partners to stabilize housing and connect services.

The role emphasizes collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and crisis support, with travel across locations and weekly case conferences to align client plans and resources.

Qualifications

• Experience with homelessness and behavioral health crises.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction, Housing First, and Motivational Interviewing.
• CPR and first aid certification or willingness to obtain within 90 days.
• Ability to work with diverse populations in Contra Costa County.

Responsibilities

• Respond to dispatches across Contra Costa County.
• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial, medical, housing, and safety assessments.
• Develop individualized service plans with relevant community resources.
• Assist participants in transitioning to permanent housing and services.
• Provide crisis counseling and problem identification.
• Support navigation of criminal justice and court systems.

Skills

Harm Reduction

Housing First

Strength-based Case Management

Motivational Interviewing

Cultural Humility

Engagement skills

Crisis intervention

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Counseling, Social Work

Associate’s Degree in related field

Alcohol or Other Drug Certificate

Job description

The primary role of the Care Coordinator is to provide comprehensive strengths-based, trauma informed, case management services to persons experiencing crises related to social determinants of health needs. The Care Coordinator uses harm reduction techniques to engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health illness and/or a co-occurring substance use disorder or other medical impairments.

The Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) program is a public/private partnership with Contra Costa Health Services, Community Response Division (CRD) and Heluna Health. The Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) program works collaboratively in small teams to engage and stabilize homeless individuals living outside to identify plans to end their homelessness permanently. The Care Coordinator works collaboratively with Anyone, Anywhere, Anythime (A3) program, Contra Costa Health, Housing & Homeless Services (H3) the Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department (EHSD), Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), Healthcare for the Homeless, County Behavioral Health Services, County Health Services, Coordinated Entry systems, and other community-based programs to retain housing, engage in services, and stabilize chronically homeless individuals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Respond to dispatches to locations throughout Contra Costa County,
• Responsible for the comprehensive assessments that are inclusive of medical needs, psychosocial assessment, safety assessment, substance use disorder assessment, housing needs, and all other relevant areas of concern,
• Develops an individualized service plan in coordination with Contra Costa Continuum of Care as well as leverages relevant community resources as needed,
• Support and build trust with participants in transitioning from the streets to permanent housing placement,
• Provide short-term, clinical case management services,
• Administer intake questionnaires, assessments and other forms of tracking documentation as needed; track data for reporting, maintain case notes, and appropriate records and files,
• Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to explore participants’ motivation towards behavioral change,
• Provide direct crisis counseling and problem identification,
• Accompany participants to appointments and other services,
• Support participants as they navigate the criminal justice and court systems and advocate for participants by interacting with judges, court mental health staff, public defenders, etc.
• Identify if individuals are connected to relevant services; if not, collaborate with community partners such as: clinics, public health, public assistance, psychiatry, mental health, etc. to ensure individuals are connected to eligible services,
• Assist individuals with completing applications for services, transporting them to services, and other appointments as needed,
• Provide a “warm hand-off” when individuals are connected to long-term services and providers,
• Maintain and interact in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional demeanor,
• Attend and participate in weekly case conferences as part of the county-wide CORE outreach program,
• Attend community meetings with other service providers to share program information and coordinate services,
• Comply with all policies and procedures guiding the work of this position and the department overall.,
• Attend training and meetings as required,
• Travel between various locations, and
• All other duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a working knowledge of Mental Health or Behavioral Health Diagnoses as well as knowledge and ability to implement the following evidence-based models: Harm Reduction, Housing First, Strength-based Case Management and Motivational Interviewing.
• Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or behavioral health crises that instills hope and promotes self-determination.
• Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse group.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse races, ethnicities, nationalities, sexual orientations, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds, religions, ages, English-speaking abilities, immigration status, and physical abilities in an intersectional environment.
• Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to Cultural Humility, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practices and the development and implementation of materials through a lens of social justice.
• Must possess strong engagement skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and as an effective and collaborative member of a team.
• Strong community networking skills and ability to build resources and relationships that improve continuity of care.
• Excellent verbal skills. Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Possess an understanding of and practice cultural sensitivity through open dialogue and self-exploration with diverse groups, while providing direct services.
• Ability to effectively intervene in crisis situations, with de-escalation techniques.
• Professional level competency using Internet, email, and Microsoft Word computer applications.
• Ability to successfully and efficiently complete tasks in an environment where background noise is present, and interruptions may be constant.
• Must be able to access remote locations that may require traveling through rough terrain in excess of two miles in possible inclement weather conditions.

Education/Experience

• Education: Possession Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Public Health, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of direct experience working with people with serious mental illness, individuals with a dual diagnosis and/or the homeless population.
• Substitution:
  • Education: Will consider candidates who have an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college in Public Health, Counseling, Social Work, or a closely related field OR an Alcohol or Other Drug Certificate from an accredited college; with 3 years of full-time housing case management, or its equivalent, experience in a social services or mental health program providing services to homeless persons AND HS Diploma/GED.

OR

• 5 years of full-time housing case management, or its equivalent, experience in a social services or mental health program providing services to homeless persons AND HS Diploma/GED.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.
• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, clean DMV record, and reliable transportation will be needed to carry out job-related essential functions as travel between various locations is a requirement.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Desired Qualifications:
  • Bilingual, bicultural in Spanish.
  • Lived experience of homelessness and/or accessing behavioral health services.
  • Previous experience or training in street outreach and clinical case management.
  • Knowledge of Contra Costa County and community resources.
  • Knowledge of the Contra Costa emergency provider network.
  • Prior experience with documentation and billing procedures.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Constantly

Sit: Frequently

Handling / Fingerin g: Frequently

Reach Outward: Frequently

Reach Above Shoulder: Frequently

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Frequently

Lift / Carry: Frequently - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull: Frequently - Up to 50 lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Various environments depending on job necessities can include, but not limited to: General Office Setting, Homeless Shelter, field work within Contra Costa County, frequently walking on uneven ground for long distances.

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Travel Required

Yes . 50% (within Contra Costa County)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.