Overview

UP for Women and Children Case Management will provide a welcoming and compassionate presence for clients, volunteers, donors, and staff. This role focuses on moving survivors of domestic violence from crisis and instability to safe, affordable housing. The case manager will assist each client through crisis and instability to safe, affordable housing, while addressing each individual’s unique needs through a trauma-informed, person-centered approach that fosters healing, restores independence, and supports long-term housing stability. This position is grant funded and contingent upon the continuation and renewal of grant funding.

Duties & Responsibilities

Casework:

• Build relationships with clients while enforcing the community agreement, establishing trust and rapport. 
• Assessing client needs, developing individualized care plans using a person-centered and strength-based approach, coordinating referrals to community resources, and monitoring client progress towards their goals. 
• Assist clients in completing all housing related documents, including assistance with housing applications, landlord negotiations, background checks, and move-in support. 
• Transporting or arrangement of transportation that assists clients with needed services to overcome barriers to care.
• Help clients procure and maintain the necessary documentation to become housing ready.
• Assesses clients’ physical, social and emotional needs while doing intakes and all necessary paperwork to ensure confidentiality and agreements for client/agency working relationship. 
• Make referrals and conduct home visits or meet clients in the community, as needed, to provide comprehensive support. 
• Assist clients in obtaining medical and financial entitlements and benefits.
• Work in collaboration with community providers while connecting clients to resources in support of barrier removal and goal setting for sustainable housing. 
• Supports clients in utilizing community resources, developing independent living skills and becoming reintegrated into the community. 
• Identifies gaps in services for people experiencing homelessness and develops program plans to meet those needs. 
• Completes documentation by maintaining thorough and accurate client records, including case notes, service plans, and progress updates, in compliance with agency and funding requirements. 
• Completes necessary record-keeping in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and completes other documentation as required by agency and specific situations. 
• Provides crisis intervention as necessary. 

Housing Navigation:

• Assist clients in finding and successfully securing housing.
• Provide mediation and advocacy with landlords on behalf of the client to develop a workable strategy to secure and maintain housing.
• Ensure that leases, rental assistant programs, walk-through inspections, and other relevant rental paperwork are HUD compliant and ready to be processed.
• Generate and have consistent communication (written and verbal) between all parties, tenant, landlord, case manager, agencies, debtors, creditors-serving as the liaison between property managers/landlords/neighbors and clients.
• Maintain high standards of quality and excellence for clients.  
• Adheres to agency policies, procedures and professional code of ethics. 
• Participate in all required staff meetings, documentation needs, training and staff events.

Qualifications

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to others. 
• Knowledge of HUD Housing program philosophies and strategies.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment with a strong sense of urgency.
• Very strong organizational, attention to detail, and time-management skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively and sensitively communicate with all levels of management.
• Ability to cope with and defuse situations utilizing de-escalation techniques. 
• Comfortable working with diverse populations.
• Flexibility and willingness to shift priorities as needed.
• Knowledge of office and computer equipment and software (Microsoft Office and/or Google Workspace).
• Occasional work may be needed at night, on weekends, and in inclement weather

• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle and appropriate vehicle insurance to transport clients. 

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field 
• 2+ years of experience in social services
• 1-3 years of experience in leasing, affordable housing, rental property management or HUD housing. 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences or related field
• Knowledge of HUD and/or Tax Credit Housing
• Prior experience with homeless populations

Work Environment: Office and homeless shelter; Job may be performed in areas/neighborhoods that could be considered threatening.