PHFS Case Manager (Overflow)

Title:         Case Manager 

Department: Patrick Henry Family Shelter 

Reports to:  Assistant Director of Programs 

Salary Range:  $52,000 - $56,000 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

About Us:  

Shelter House was established in 1981 as a grassroots responder to the homelessness crisis in Fairfax County.  Since the organization’s inception, we have adapted and grown to meet community needs, all while working in partnership with government and private partners and community members. Today, Shelter House is a successful and reputable organization of over 100 employees committed to preventing and ending homelessness and domestic violence.  In the last year, our compassionate team of individuals changed the lives of nearly 2,000 individuals, half of which were children.   

Our Culture is built from our Core Values of Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment (iC.A.R.E.).  In addition to our incredible mission and culture, we offer our employees a work-life balance, 401K (with employer matching), and core benefits (medical/dental/vision) for full-time employees with a generous employer contribution towards premiums. 

About the Role:  

The Case Manager will work with 15-20 families in our Motel Overflow program. This work is based both at the overflow motels as well as the assigned Shelter Program. Shelter House may have households placed at multiple motel locations, which may require travel between locations. He/she will provide intensive case management using the housing first model with a trauma informed care approach that will maximize the likelihood of client success and long-term self-sufficiency. The primary goal is assisting families with obtaining housing. Responsibilities include conducting individual housing needs assessments, program planning, empowering clients’ progress toward housing, and assisting families in locating housing options. Once housing is secured, the Case Manager will provide tenant education and ensure clients understand the expectations of their lease to maintain their housing. The case manager will support the clients in the transition to housing. Once housed, clients will be transferred to an RRH case manager to provide follow-up case management and wraparound services. The Case Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for all assigned client services and provide guidance and support to clients working toward self-sufficiency. This work is fast paced, and the client relationships are often time limited. The Case Manager must be comfortable forming relationships with landlords and other community partners to ensure clients are able to secure housing as their top priority. 

How you will contribute:  

• Develop Housing First focused service plans, individualized to the client’s unique housing needs and guide families through the housing location process 

• Proactively and creatively seek new housing opportunities and resources in Fairfax and other localities to assist families with locating housing 

• Empathetically but firmly address any safety issues that may arise during the family’s stay in motel overflow program and work to help refocus family’s efforts on their housing plan.  

• Plan, schedule, coordinate, and conduct Family Shelter Planning Team meetings or professionals’ meetings to assist in housing planning 

• Assist clients in securing appropriate services and coordinate delivery of services to clients (i.e. employment, housing, finance) 

• Assist clients in improving money management by developing a working budget using financial information provided by clients  

• Build and maintain relationships with area landlords who will work with families with multiple barriers and facilitate initial communication landlords and clients 

• Educate client on topics including but not limited to tenant rights and responsibilities, housing discrimination, communicating with landlords, how to read a lease, identifying roommates, maintaining a household, etc. 

• Once housed, coordinate transition of the case to an RRH Case Manager to ensure clients' needs in housing are addressed to support them in maintaining stable housing. 

• Function as a contributing member of a multidisciplinary team with Shelter House Inc. employees, deployed staff, and involved agencies to ensure clients receive needed services in a timely manner 

• Assure that all relevant information pertaining to clients is disseminated to all appropriate staff members in a timely manner 

• Encourage the client and his/her family to focus their efforts on attaining the objectives specified in the Housing Plan and Housing Sustainability Plan 

• Timely documentation of all contacts with clients in client file and HMIS as required 

• Maintain complete client records in accordance with agency and best practice standards 

• Proficiently utilize Microsoft Suites applications (email, calendar, drive, docs, etc) as a part of day-to-day work requirements 

• Maintain current knowledge of and ability to implement emergency procedures 

• Be in rotation for Intake Phone as directed by supervisor 

• Participate in staff meetings and trainings as directed by supervisor 

• Commit to being a continuous learner. Study our practice models and work to improve work style and process based on best practice models.  

• Empower and guide clients in their successful completion of the Overflow Motel program 

• Safely utilize Shelter House owned vehicles to drive clients to various locations including housing viewings 

• Ensure compliance with all agency policies 

• Exemplify the Shelter House core values; Inclusivity, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Empowerment 

• Other Duties as assigned 

About You: 

 Required: 

• A bachelor's degree in human services/ related field or commensurate experience  

• 1+ years of case management/ direct services/other related experience  

• Strong written and oral communication skills  

• Ability to prioritize competing priorities and make sound judgements  

• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions  

• Ability to deliver creative, resourceful solutions to unique challenges  

• Strong organizational and time management skills  

• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation  

• Ability to Drive a 15 passenger van  

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends when needed   

Preferred: 

• Foreign Language fluency in a language other than English (ex. Spanish, Farsi, Arabic or Amharic) 

• Experience with providing services to clients experiencing homelessness, mental health, or substance abuse issues 

• Experience utilizing the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) 

Physical Requirements: 

• Annual TB Test is required 

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods 

• Ability to lift items weighing 10-20 pounds 

ADA Statement:  Shelter House will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 

Equal Opportunity Employer