Supportive Housing Case Manager

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING CASE MANAGER

About Lars

For 35 years, LARS has been a source of hope and relief for members of the Laurel community who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, and for individuals and families who struggle to meet their basic needs. LARS’ mission is to enable homeless and low-income people in Laurel who are in crisis to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency.

Through a variety of supportive services including financial help with rent and utilities, food assistance, and subsidized housing, LARS provides individuals and families with the stability they need to build better futures for themselves and for their families. In addition, case managers teach skills that foster growth in the areas of personal finances, education, employment, and mental and physical well-being. Our goal is not only to alleviate the immediate crisis, but also to teach skills and habits that empower people to maintain financial stability and prevent future crises.

LARS’ service area covers high needs areas in Prince George's (zip codes 20707 and 20708), Howard (20723), and Anne Arundel (20724) Counties.

Provide case management and supportive services to chronically homeless and disabled individuals and families to assist them in achieving the necessary skills to move towards self-sufficiency.

Specific Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide case management at least once per week to permanent supportive housing (PSH) clients, and in collaboration with clients, develop individual goals and action plans with unique goals geared towards client self-sufficiency.
• Research and secure supportive services for assigned clients including but not limited to disability benefits, substance abuse treatment and mental health services and ensure clients are maintaining safe, clean-living environments by conducting monthly inspections of all assigned permanent housing units.
• Deliver food from LARS food pantry bi-weekly to assigned PSH clients.
• Document client services and case notes in Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and other LARS databases within 24 hours of interaction and maintain up to date and accurate client information in all databases.
• Maintain up-to-date and organized client files.
• Under the direction of leadership, complete environmental reviews for apartment complexes as needed.
• Submit applications for clients eligible for appropriate supplementary financial resources, including the Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP).
• Calculate, collect and record client’s portion of monthly rent.
• Review potential Supportive Housing client application materials including verifications of chronic homelessness and disability and facilitate panel interviews for program candidates.
• Serve as the liaison for LARS between the rental management companies used for LARS supportive housing clients.
• Oversee turnover and preparation of new client units.
• Coordinate monthly life skills meetings for supportive housing clients.
• Participate in supervision, staff meetings, CoC meetings, community meetings, and training as approved or designated by supervisor.
• Obtain SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) certification, attend all scheduled trainings, and assist assigned clients with completing disability applications.
• Provide support to LARS’ supplemental programs and events, as needed.
• Other related tasks as assigned by supervisor.
  
  

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in any Human Service Field; preferably social work
  
  

Experience Necessary/Desired

• At least two years of experience working with the following groups of individuals- people living with chronic mental and physical health conditions, individuals diagnosed with substance abuse disorders, low-income households, and people experiencing homelessness.
• Commitment to our mission and vision.
• Ability to work successfully with people, excellent interpersonal skills, effective communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to foster and build relationships with people from a range of cultures and backgrounds while displaying a positive, supportive attitude of concern for people and their community.
• A problem-solver with a strong motivation to continue learning.
• Understanding of crisis intervention.
• Familiarity with social service resources in Prince George’s preferred.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license, valid insurance and have reliable transportation.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with local businesses, congregations, schools, etc. to build network of stakeholders.
  
  

Work Environment

Listed below are key points regarding environmental demands and the work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Required to use motor coordination with finger dexterity (such as keyboarding, machine operation, etc.).
• Required to use normal business machines and technology. For example, able to operate computers and computer systems, office copiers, fax, phones.
• Required to exert physical effort in handling objects and carrying the weight for short distances that include steps (i.e. food pantry items) up to 50 pounds.
• Required to be exposed to physical occupational risks (such as cuts, falls, bruising, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc.) rarely.
• Required to be exposed to physical environment which involves dirt, odors, noise, weather extremes or similar elements rarely.
• Normal setting for this job may include one or more of the following: office setting, apartment rentals, and community locations.