Lead Case Manager - Youth Transitions Project (YTP)

Volunteers of America Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; Full time

Job summary

Join a compassionate and dedicated team at a nonprofit organization focused on transforming lives. As the Lead Case Manager for the Youth Transitions Project, you'll play a pivotal role in supporting young adults experiencing homelessness. This position involves direct service provision, housing assistance, and collaboration with various stakeholders. You will engage with youth, ensuring their voices are heard while providing essential resources and support. This role offers an opportunity to make a significant impact in the community by helping vulnerable populations achieve stability and self-sufficiency. If you are passionate about social work and committed to serving those in need, this position is perfect for you.

Benefits

Vacation Time

Paid Holidays

Tuition Assistance

403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match

Health, Dental, Vision Insurances

Employee Assistance Program

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience in human services or social work required.
• Minimum one year experience with homeless populations.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive case management and housing assistance for youth participants.
• Conduct needs-based assessments and community outreach.

Skills

Case Management

Community Outreach

Housing Navigation

Trauma-Informed Care

Motivational Interviewing

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in human services or social work

Experience working with the homeless population

Job description

WHO WE ARE

Volunteers of America Colorado is a nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in-need transform their lives. Through more than 50 distinct human service programs, Volunteers of America changes the lives of more than 140,000 vulnerable Coloradoans each year. VOA services include housing and emergency shelters, hunger and nutrition services, and many other community support programs. Our work touches the mind, body, heart, and ultimately the spirit of those we serve. VOA integrates compassion with highly effective programs that build and strengthen communities.

WHAT MAKES VOA SPECIAL?

VOAC recognizes the unique needs of the older adult who needs a wheelchair ramp to stay at home safely, and the preschooler whose family needs additional resources. VOAC supports veteran’s efforts to exit homelessness as well as provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence. Wherever VOAC goes, it combines relationship-building, volunteers, and quality services to lift and support our neighbor’s efforts to become self-sufficient and reach their full potential.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Case Manager in the Youth Transitions Project (YTP) is responsible for assisting the YTP team and the sub-grantees with fulfilling the requirements of the grant as well as for those the grant serves. This includes serving as the subject-matter expert in matters related to the development of programming linked to housing placement, including assisting in the training of staff members. The position is also directly responsible for the service provision and housing assistance for the participants in YTP. This program serves youth 18 – 25 and youth head of households 18- 25 in a rapid re-housing model who are literally homeless. Service modalities include Housing First Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and Critical Time Intervention. This position will work in conjunction with the Youth team at Bannock Youth & Family Center. Job duties include conducting needs-based assessments, community outreach, providing case management services, assisting with housing navigation, supporting housing retention, connection to income resources and/or public benefits, determining rental assistance, landlord recruitment/mediation, attending meetings/trainings within the community, collaborating care with service providers and multi-disciplinary teams, and accompanying participants on appointments as needed. Requires use of personal vehicle for securing and maintaining housing for the participants enrolled in the program.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Ensures that the youth’s voice is heard, and youth’s ideas play a prominent role in programming.
• Responsible for possessing an in-depth knowledge regarding program requirements, including the referral process, support services, allowable costs, field-relevant best practices, utilization of the coordinated entry system, and HUD permanent housing: rapid re-housing standards.
• Provides intensive case management for the acute youth population; ensures youth receive regular engagement in services.
• Responsible for collecting necessary documents to obtain and maintain housing, identification documents, income changes, changes in household, etc.
• Responsible for identifying and serving the unique needs of participant households participating in Volunteers of America programs and utilizing screening and assessment tools and ensuring the completion of needs-based screenings.
• Develops specialized knowledge related to service delivery database systems within the organization. Attends intakes, housing orientations, lease-ups, and ongoing educational opportunities for participants in YTP Programs. Ensures timely reporting within data entry systems and hard copy files in accordance with grant guidelines.
• Assists with community-wide outreach to identify eligible participant households presenting substantial barriers to housing stability. Utilizes the OneHome system as required by funding sources. Assist clients in their search for housing, filling out rental applications, interpreting leases, and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities.
• The Case Manager facilitates the delivery of appropriate services for youth participant households as indicated by relevant service modalities through an equity lens.
• Demonstrates knowledge of youth-specific resources, a passion for serving the youth population and people experiencing homelessness, and the ability to contribute to the program-wide objectives of a diverse and dynamic team.
• Provides housing navigation and processes referrals for participating households. Assists in conducting needs-based assessments if needed in the community.
• Develops, directs, and monitors the implementation of quality Housing First/CTI-based supportive services tied to housing stability. Coordinates with the entire team to deliver services most appropriate to meet the needs of presenting households. Assists in relocating youth as needed and securing emergency housing.
• Supports team members by serving as a resource for analyzing and solving problems and staying abreast of current issues and theories within the field. Provides tenant/landlord mediation in coordination with YTP team and responds to landlord requests within two business days.
• Attends orientations, trainings, education programs, staff meetings, community meetings, conferences, and workshops as requested and applicable to meet the needs of the position. May provide training and mentorship to team members and community stakeholders regarding best practices in relevant service models and practices.
• Clearly documents all client interactions along with required eligibility and demographic information. Obtains and maintains literal homelessness documentation.
• Performs duties in a professional manner by maintaining the confidentiality of all information and by participating effectively within and across teams.
• Facilitates the referral, intake, and orientation process for new YTP households.
• Develop rental breakdowns for participant households and conduct quarterly check-ins with participants and Case Manager to ensure households are meeting program rental requirements.
• Ensure housing for all participating households is compliant with program standards. Completes housing quality inspections, rent reasonableness, and fair market rent (FMR) assessments.
• Assist Manager of Youth Housing with training and mentoring YTP staff.
• Serve as lead staff on special projects serving the growth of the Youth Transitions Project team.
• Performs job responsibilities in accordance with the Social Work Code of Ethics.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, social work, or a closely related field or related experience.
• At minimum, one full year of working with the homeless population.
• Colorado driver’s license and state-mandated automobile insurance.

POSITION TYPE

Fulltime

Nonexempt/Hourly

PAY RANGE

$22.00 - $24.00 (based on experience)

HOURS EXPECTED

40 hours per week Monday through Friday. Some evenings and weekends required.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be willing to use vehicle for service provision throughout a seven-county area. Works in close proximity to other staff residing at Bannock Youth & Family Center.

Benefit eligibility is based on job type/status

Vacation Time
Separate Sick Time
Paid Holidays
Floating Holidays
Personal Days
Volunteer/Wellness Day
Tuition Assistance
Pension Plan
403b Retirement Plan with Agency Match
Health, Dental, Vision, Pet Insurances
Life Insurance
Accident Insurance
Employee Assistance/Work Life Balance Program
Employee Discount Program
LifeLock with Norton
Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Volunteers of America is an EEO/AA Employer

POSITION WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FILLED

VISA SPONSORSHIP IS NOT OFFERED FOR THIS ROLE

Veterans are Strongly Encouraged to Apply

Employee must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of self or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Employee will perform job according to applied laws. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require a reasonable accommodation to perform this role, please contact [e-mail] to begin the Interactive Process.