Case Manager - Pathway of Hope

Job Objective: The Pathway of Hope Case Manager is responsible for the case management services offered to families through Pathway of Hope (POH) at identified Corps or social services sites. Provides supportive services using Pathway of Hope strength-based case management, Housing First, and Rapid Re-Housing models to individuals and families with a desire to take action to break the cycle of crisis and change the trajectory of their lives.

Essential Functions:

Outreach and Engagement

• Conduct regular outreach to identified Corps or social services sites to identify eligible applicants
• Engage and build rapport with target population
• Conduct screening interviews with potential applicants in accordance with POH eligibility guidelines
• Present potential participant to POH team to include the corps officer, pastoral care representative, and POH Project Manager
• In coordination with Corps case workers, provide appropriate referrals for individuals not eligible for POH services

Case Management

• Perform intake that includes required documentation for admission, referral needs, explanation of program and expectations
• Conduct a written assessment on all potential applicants and their families within 72 hours of contact including screening for serious personal safety and mental health issues
• Develop a case plan with the participant based on the primary goals of housing stability, increased income/financial resources and skills, and self determination within one week of intake which includes short-term and long-term goals with objectives. Update case plan as needed
• Schedule regular meeting times with participants to develop and review goals and objectives
• Conduct home visits as determined by the case plan
• Provide information and referral services
• Assist participants in making linkages and accessing appropriate community resources
• Provide advocacy services as needed, i.e., court appointments, landlord/tenant conflict resolution, etc.
• Provide financial assistance in accordance with program policies and procedures
• Coordinate case management efforts with all staff and contracted services to meet individual and family needs
• Develop a discharge plan with participants addressing permanent housing stability, economic stability, emotional stability and self determination
• Assist participant to develop a crisis plan. Be available during off hours to respond to an emergency
• Conduct life skills and budgeting classes
• Maintain case files for each participant that includes the assessment, case plan, documentation of progress, challenges, outcomes/accomplishments, discharge plan and summary, and documentation of all follow up contact
• Maintain comprehensive and detailed case notes on all participants
• Complete required documentation of all educational groups
• Provide after care and follow up assessment based on POH protocol
• Prepare case records for proper storage after participant discharge
• Ensure confidentiality in accordance with established procedures and regulations

HMIS Case Management & Direct Assistance

• Maintain comprehensive demographic data as required on all participants
• Submit monthly summary of service statistics to the POH Program Manager
• Maintain accurate records of financial assistance provided to participants in their file, In ServicePoint Information Management System (SIMS) and in the MAACLink Homeless Management Information System or designated HMIS
• Complete other reports as requested

Agency and Community Networking

• Attend agency and community meetings as requested including the monthly POH case managers meeting
• Attend supervisory meetings
• Attend clinical staffing team meetings
• Maintain working relationships with community agencies to provide comprehensive services for participants and to stay abreast of current trends and resources available
• Attend in-service training and outside conferences/workshops as requested and approved by the Corps Officer
• Provide guidance and support to community volunteers working with the program
• Represent the agency's purpose, philosophy, and function to the community

Quality Assurance

• Track and report unmet needs of participants and their families
• Document and report effectiveness of service delivery using consumer, case management and community resource feedback
• Participate in other program and outcome evaluation activities
• Provide ideas for programming specific to educational or process groups needed for participants.
• Assist with special events and seasonal programs, as requested

Program Implementation

• Ensure quality of POH implementation by participation with POH planning and program development at sites
• Ensure quality of local data and reporting of information that will support national and territorial POH program outcomes
• Ensure relevance and consistency of POH by collaborating with the Program Manager with ongoing development of policies and procedures, goals and objectives, and outcome based measures related to POH

Pathway of Hope Program Evaluation and Outcomes Measurement

• Ensure the accuracy of data entry into the database
• Assist Program Manager in the annual POH evaluations/outcomes measurement for Corps and summary/review report to Divisional Social Services Director
• Report any POH implementation challenges and work with the POH Program Manager to develop an action plan to address program development needs

Education and Training

• Attend training sessions that support the initial implementation phase and ongoing training requirements for POH
• Participate in POH workshops and other training events at the territorial, divisional or local level, as requested and/or assigned
• Promote the spiritual dimension of Salvation Army social services programs, emphasizing the importance of Christian influence and evangelism in all Salvation Army ministries, including delivery of social services in contemporary settings

Program Evaluation and Certification

• Assist Program Manager in the completion of quarterly random record reviews and annual review of compliance with standards in order to assure for program evaluation/certification requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimal education, experience, certifications, skills, and/or abilities required for this position.

Education: Bachelor's degree in human service area: prefer BSW from an accredited college or university. Relevant case management experience may be accepted in place of a degree.

Experience: Minimum of two years of case management experience in comparable social service programs that offer multi-faceted casework interventions designed to address the needs of families utilizing a strength-based approach.

Certifications/Licenses: none

Skills/Abilities:

• Bilingual - English/Spanish speaking
• Experience and/or strong interest in community outreach, organization and community capacity development
• Must have an interest and ability to work with people of diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner
• Ability to collaborate on complex social issues within families and communities
• Ability to be creative, original, intuitive, and perceptive
• Ability to think logically and critically
• Ability to envision a project from beginning to end
• Ability to solve complex problems, make appropriate judgments and decisions
• Ability to speak and understand English in a manner that is sufficient for effective communication with supervisors, employees, beneficiaries and customers
• Demonstrated capacity to teach adults
• Familiarity with Salvation Army policies and procedures
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Physical Requirements: Ability to speak, hear and see in order to communicate with participants, staff, and volunteers in person and over the phone. Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, and twist on an intermittent or occasional continuous basis. Ability to operate various office equipment including personal computers, copiers, fax machines, and scanning equipment. Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as reference materials, files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead. Ability to lift, pull and push materials up to 25 pounds without assistance. Ability to load and to change settings, devices, and fixtures on various equipment used in and around an office environment. Ability to operate telephone and other electronic communication devices

Travel: Local travel to meet with participants and for community-based meetings on a regular basis.

Driving: Must possess a valid driver's license from the state in which you reside. Must be approved through The Salvation Army Fleet Safety Program to drive either a Salvation Army or personal vehicle on Salvation Army business.

Working Conditions: Work is performed in a typical office environment and in the community including participant homes. May require some evenings or weekends.

All employees recognize that The Salvation Army is a church and agree that they will do nothing as an employee of The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission.

The Salvation Army Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who are back-to-work, US Veterans, people with disabilities, people who have been impacted by the justice system, and/or people without a college degree are encouraged to apply.