Outreach Caseworker

The Salvation Army; City of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Pension plan

Vacation & holidays

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

403B

Student Loan Forgiveness

Christmas Bonus

Job summary

The Salvation Army Ithaca Corps is seeking an Outreach Caseworker to join our team. This full-time role provides long-term case management, housing support, advocacy, and life-skills training to residents in permanent supportive housing programs in Tompkins County.

You will collaborate with community partners, conduct intake and assessments, develop individualized service plans, and ensure quality care while maintaining confidential client records.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and organizational skills are required.
• Must have a High School Diploma and at least 3 years of experience in this line of work.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard computer skills.
• Public speaking and networking are a must.

Responsibilities

• Provide long-term case management and supportive counseling.
• Coordinate with subcontractors and community partners to access resources and services.
• Perform intake, evaluations and develop individualized service plans.
• Maintain client records with confidentiality and accuracy.
• Assist residents with life skills and housing stability efforts.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Follow instructions

Public speaking

Driver's license

Compassionate demeanor

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

Overview

Seeking an Outreach Caseworker to join our Ithaca Team

Our Full Time opportunities offer:

• Generous time off every year including 14 paid holidays, up to 3 personal days, vacation time, and sick time
• Employer funded Pension Plan (company contributions begin after 1 year of continuous employment)
• Comprehensive Health Care Coverage with low cost employee premiums, co-pays, and deductibles
• Company Paid Basic Term Life Insurance for Employee
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Eligibility for supplemental insurance plans including Short Term Disability, AFLAC, and Voluntary Term Life
• Flexible Spending Account
• Eligibility for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Tax Deferred Annuity (403B)
• Christmas Bonus

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF POSITION:

To provide case management services for permanent supportive housing clients. Engage residents through long-term case management, supportive counseling, advocacy and referral to community resources and life-skills training and support. Building relationships with Tompkins County agencies dealing with homelessness, substance abuse and housing is the main objective. Seeking out local housing agencies, landlords and other nonprofit organizations and monitor housing availabilities to match them with the individuals and families in need of supportive or permanent housing. Coordinate events or programs that help the ministry of The Salvation Army. Working directly with individuals who have recently been housed to assist them in their journey to a more stable housing situation.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Case Manager will contribute to the Ithaca Supportive Permanent Housing Program(s) through the ESSHI Program. The Case Manager will work with subcontractors to assist residents with adjusting to independent living, connect them with appropriate community resources for mental and physical health, work with them to find pro-social activities in the community, and monitor well-being throughout their residence. Services will be provided through a combination of home visits, office appointments, and on-site community meetings. The Salvation Army will check in with the subcontractors and residents by phone or (face-to-face) at least once per week, and more often should the resident need more support during a particular time in his/her life. Life skills classes on various topics will be offered at least monthly in coordination with subcontractors.

• Deliver program activities under the direction of the community outreach & housing director and the corps officers to ensure contract compliance and adequate standards of care for residents of the program.
• Deliver case management services to these ESSHI units: thirteen residents in Founder’s Way, seven residents in Village Grove, and eighteen residents in 2nd Wind Cottages as part of the outreach team. Frequency of support service will be tailored to the residents’ needs- increasing the support during transitional or high-stress periods and decreasing during periods of stability.
• Meet with residents on an on-going basis based on client needs.
• Coordinate with subcontractors to provide life skill workshops monthly and provide as needed assistance with life skills on an individual basis.
• Coordinate with subcontractors to oversee the development of an individualized service plan with each resident based on the residents need and/or interest as well as levels of skill.
• Identify needs and make referrals to community providers.
• Provide empathetic non-judgmental support in crisis situations and as a part of on-going case management. Monitor/manage agreements with clients. Contract with clients to provide reasonable accommodation for those unable to abide by routine agreements.
• Actively monitor client progress towards Individualized goal plans.
• Participate in quarterly client case reviews and provide case consultation to other staff

members related to client needs.

• Collaborate with and provide support to external partners and staff.
• Maintain service statistics for internal and external reporting, using database tools. Maintain case records to meet standards (client rights/confidentiality, assessment-based service planning, clear and concise individual case narratives, documentation of referrals, termination of services and/or eviction documentation.) Network with community providers and provide advocacy on behalf of clients. Represent program and agency in the community at meetings and case conferences.
• Demonstrate cultural competence, as well as integrate understanding into daily responsibilities and participate in meeting the objectives of The Salvation Army, Empire State Divisional Strategic Priorities, and Ithaca Corps.
• Collaborate with community partners to ensure quality of care for residents.
• Identify and interact with families and individuals to assess their immediate needs and connect them with social services programs that would assist them, assess their most urgent needs, appraise the situation, and listen to the clients’ concerns.
• Conduct intake, evaluations and assessments of prospective clients referred through the agencies associated in the partnership The Salvation Army.
• Develop individualized service plans in conjunction with the various goals and objectives of the position as determined by the agency and the funding source.
• Maintain statistical accountability and fulfill contractual obligations associated with The Salvation Army and its funding sources.
• Assist with outreach activities as requested or when appropriate.
• Act as team member and collaborate with other agency programs.
• Maintain all written information for complete case records.

• Demonstrate cultural competence, as well as integrate understanding into daily responsibilities and participate in meeting the objectives of The Salvation Army Strategic Plan.

• Develop a plan of action to address identified root causes and needs of such clients, set goals and outcomes for said clients, and find necessary resources to meet the goals.
• Establishing community collaborations with outside agencies to serve as a client advocate, enhancing a collaborative relationship to maximize the individual or family’s ability to make informed decisions.
• Consult with other external agencies to provide support services and resources.
• Participate in required social service, homelessness counseling, supportive housing casework, and other appropriate TSA training seminars.
• Identify and interact with families and individuals to assess their immediate needs and connect them with social services programs that would assist them, assess their most urgent needs, appraise the situation, and listen to the clients’ concerns.
• Conduct intake, evaluations and assessments of prospective clients referred through the agencies associated in the partnership The Salvation Army.
• Develop individualized service plans in conjunction with the various goals and objectives of the position as determined by the agency and the funding source.
• Provide brokerage, networking, advocacy and referrals to youth service agencies and programs.
• Provide individual counseling sessions and conduct home visits, agency visits
• Provide counseling and contact with family members where appropriate.
• Maintain statistical accountability and fulfill contractual obligations associated with The Salvation Army and its funding sources.
• Assist with outreach activities as requested or when appropriate.
• Act as team member and collaborate with other agency programs.
• Maintain all written information for complete case records.

• Demonstrate cultural competence, as well as integrate understanding into daily responsibilities and participate in meeting the objectives of The Salvation Army Strategic Plan.

• Develop a plan of action to address identified root causes and needs of such clients, set goals and outcomes for said clients, and find necessary resources to meet the goals.
• Establishing community collaborations with outside agencies to serve as a client advocate, enhancing a collaborative relationship to maximize the individual or family’s ability to make informed decisions.
• Consult with other external agencies to provide support services and resources.
• Participate in required social service, homelessness counseling, supportive housing casework, and other appropriate TSA training seminars.
• Stay in touch with clients to ensure the services were beneficial and that their needs are still met after pointing clients in the right direction for services.
• Maintain confidentiality, respect privacy, and preserve the clients’ routine and independence as much as possible.
• Recognize spiritual needs of person, refer to the Corps officers (who are ordained ministers of the Salvation Army) for pastoral care as appropriate.
• Coordinate services with all seasonal social service programs (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Back to School, Summer Camp, etc.) as requested by Corps Officer and Divisional Headquarters
• Answer basic caller questions or refer as needed regarding The Salvation Army or community-based programs.
• Responsible for sharing with the Community Outreach Director and Corps Commanding Officer, all matters of mutual concern relating to the total welfare of the Social Service at the Corps.
• Prepare monthly statistics for Staff meetings.
• Prepare Thrift Store Assistance Vouchers when necessary.
• Respond to correspondence pertaining to Social Services.
• Assist in aspects of public relations events and campaigns as assigned by the Corps Officer.
• Fulfill any other tasks that may be assigned on an as-needed basis requested by Commanding Officer.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice due to business needs.

Qualifications

SPECIAL SKILLS, CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Responsible, respectful, positive role model and be able to follow instructions.
• Must have a High School Diploma, and Minimum of 3 years’ experience in this line of work.
• Well Organized and sensitive to individual’s cases.
• Proficiency in computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Word, and others as required.
• Public speaking and face to face networking is a must.
• Valid New York Driver’s License accepted by The Salvation Army’s insurance.
• Must have a compassionate and caring demeanor towards people and a Love for God.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.