Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) is a statewide program and Catholic Community Services has contracted with King County to deliver the prevention services locally. HEN provides rental assistance, housing search assistance, transportation assistance, and other needed services to disabled adults who are homeless or at-risk of losing their housing. Approximately 1,700 people receive assistance through the HEN program in King County each month.

What YOU will do

Case Managers are responsible for all aspects of client services through the HEN program. This includes client intakes, assessments, setting goals and developing action plans, referrals and coordination with needed services, ensuring client eligibility, data collection and entry and maintaining client records including funds distributed to landlords.

Case Managers work independently with limited direct supervision. They are responsible for screening potential HEN clients, verifying eligibility, developing action plans, and approving payments to landlords and utility companies. Each Prevention Case Manager carries a case load of approximately 150-175 clients at and time and helps distribute $1 million in state funding to clients each month.

• Meet with clients to conduct an intake and assessment.
• Based on the assessment, develop an action plan for housing stability that covers the following life domains: income/employment, health, and housing.
• Refer to Housing Stability Specialist and/or Employment Specialist as needed.
• Gather supporting documentation and input data entry into the local HMIS and other data entry systems.
• Routinely verify client enrollment in the DSHS HEN Program through the Benefit Verification System.
• Determine the availability of prevention funding.
• Prepare check requests.
• Distribute Essential Need items (hygiene and cleaning) and Transportation (Orca cards and gas cards) to clients.
• Ensure client records are kept in accordance with agency standards.
• Schedule follow up client contact as necessary.
• Communicate with clients if they do not or no longer qualify for assistance. Inform clients of the program’s grievance process.
• Develop relationships with community partners and refer clients to other community services.
• Provide outreach and education to community providers.
• Assist with the set up and distribution of a weekly essential needs bank for HEN clients.

Team Responsibilities

Case Managers work with a diverse team of staff who work out of three locations throughout King County. The ability to work independently and communicate with team members remotely is essential. In addition, HEN clients are all disabled adults with challenges related to physical health, mental health and substance use.

• Observe/follow guidelines on confidentiality rights of clients and respect their privacy.
• Work with clients who have emotional and behavioral challenges related to their disabilities.
• Attend trainings required of employees as scheduled.
• Participate as a team member in staff and supervisory meetings as required.
• Contribute to and support a positive, team-oriented, culturally diverse work environment.
• Participate in advocacy on behalf of the program and other programs assisting disabled and low-income community members.
• Maintain accurate record of hours worked and turn in timesheets on schedule.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in social services or a related field, or commensurate experience in social services.
• At least one year of experience in direct provision of social services, preferably with homeless people.
• Understanding of problems homeless people often face, including poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and long-term homelessness.
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Good office computer skills, with ability to maintain complex client records.
• Commitment to working within the mission, goals and objective of Catholic Community Services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work or a related field.
• Fluency in second language that is spoken by a substantial number of HEN recipients.
• Reliable vehicle and willingness to commute between offices.

Job Conditions

This position requires the employee to work in an office environment where there is noise from telephones and conversations among employees and clients. Working conditions may include interruptions, and interactions with individuals who are angry and/or dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. Extensive use of telephones, computers and related office equipment is typical of this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.60 - $27.36 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Seattle, WA 98144: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person