Job Information
St. Catherine's Center for Children Case Manager, Housing Specialist [Michael's H in Menands, New York
About Us:
St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit human services organization located in New York’s Greater Capital Region, offering a wide array of services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more.
Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, is continuing to grow. St. Catherine’s employs more than 300 full and part-time staff, and we are committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to foster an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, respect, dignity and solidarity.
Our Mission:
St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families and adults we serve.
Position Overview:
The Case Manager, Housing Specialist assists families and individuals with all facets of the intake process for our Homeless Services Program at our supportive housing complex, Michael’s House. This includes performing assessments, service plan development and coordinating housing activities with families. The Case Manager, Housing Specialist will also coordinate service provisions with the Family Care Coordination Program.
Candidates with relatable life experience are encouraged to apply!
Duties & Responsibilities include:
Conduct and complete documentation for intake/assessment process, initial services plan, quarterly/biweekly service plan reviews, coordination of service plan delivery through a large network of area service providers.
Support and facilitate the individual’s ability to participate in mental health services, in particular, trauma services.
Meet independently with families and individuals to assess needs and strengths.
Develop service plan goals for families and individuals. Empower residents to identify choices in their daily life by providing necessary information. Ensure they participate in necessary services.
Establish and maintain professional working relationships with families and agency staff.
Advocate for families and individuals; assist in obtaining necessary services to retain permanent housing and assist in identifying and resolving barriers to housing retention.
Act as liaison for families and individuals when communicating with public assistance and other resource providers.
Provide intensive case management services in the following areas to settle families in permanent housing and stabilize conditions that led to homelessness:
self sufficiency
home maintenance
budgeting
meal preparation and nutrition
time management
parenting skills
utilization of community services
tenant responsibilities/rights
Document interactions with families through critical incident reports, assessment forms, progress notes, logs and service plans.
Complete outcome measures for Quality Improvement; Perform and maintain record keeping statistics as required.
Intervene in crisis situations and assist with conflict resolution, as needed, by providing mediation and facilitating communication, especially between landlord and tenant.
Participate in professional development programming on a regular basis.
Respect the rights of others and protect all confidential client information.
Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Housing, Homeless Program or designated supervisor.
Essential Functions:
Ability to write and understand the written word with special emphasis on required documentation including client progress notes and treatment plans; and to carry out written and electronic documentation as required by St. Catherine’s policy and as required by regulating agencies that have oversight responsibility for St. Catherine’s programs.
Develop an understanding and maintain knowledge of standards and mandates set forth by St. Catherine’s Center for Children (St. Catherine’s), the New York State Education Department (SED), the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), the New York State Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Services (OTDA), and other regulatory bodies.
Must be able to perform well under crisis conditions, with the capacity to carry out Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies.
Flexibility to work hours outside of regularly scheduled work hours, including rotation of holidays, within reason.
This position requires the employee to frequently stand, walk and sit; with the ability to sit for long periods of time; must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Certain deadlines and unanticipated developments may require flexibility to work during evenings, weekends.
Interacting with a culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged population, which includes a broad range of people with various developmental and functional levels, is an essential component of this position.
Capable of exhibiting compassion and understanding for those in need; to empathize with traumatized children, many with severe mental health issues.
Excellent communication skills (written / verbal); outstanding interpersonal skills; with the ability to build strong working relationships with other agency staff and outside service providers, professionals, and other regulatory bodies.
Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person; and have confidence in the principle that people have the capacity to grow and change at their own pace and motivation.
Ability and conceptualizations necessary to embrace and work effectively within a therapeutic-based program.
The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served, helping them gain the necessary skills, and empowering them to find the confidence to solve their own problems.
Ability to work effectively in a shared decision-making model as a team member, listening attentively to others sharing opinions and perspectives, and resolving disagreements respectfully; and also working independently on various tasks.
The capacity to maintain a helping role with persons served and intervene appropriately to assist in meeting service goals, while also setting appropriate limits and boundaries.
This position will have full and complete access to client Protected Health Information (PHI) in order to carry out the duties and responsibilities for the position. Therefore, the ability to meet HIPAA requirements and maintain strict client confidentiality is essential.
Qualifications:
BSW or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services field, with at least one (1) year of relevant experience.
Associates degree in related field, with at least two (2) years of relevant experience, may be considered.
Local travel is required for this role; therefore, a current Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License(actively licensed for at least one year) is required.
Must be able to meet the agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers; including, but not limited to the minimum age of 21 at time of hire.
Previous experience working in a human services agency is a plus!
Excellent organization, planning and time management skills.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building strong working relationships with regulatory bodies.
Familiarity with public assistance and other local resources.
Proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Business Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Meet, Sheets, etc.); and use secure Internet practices.
Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
A compassionate, positive, warm and caring mindset; strong advocacy for homeless families.
A professional record of integrity, proven reliability and dependability.
Capacity and openness to work with populations from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds; including but not limited to a broad range of people with various developmental and functional levels.
Ability to demonstrate qualities of patience, flexibility and adaptability; capable of exhibiting empathy for those in crisis.
Ability to exercise ethical, independent judgment and discretion; and handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
Ability to pass required pre-employment background checks, including CBC fingerprinting, is required.
What We Offer*:
Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
Health Insurance options*: Medical, Dental and Vision
$600 Well-being Reimbursement Benefit*
Generous Combined Leave Time and 10 Paid Holidays*!
$500 Employee Referral Bonus*
We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution*
Life Insurance* – Automatic Benefit at no cost to employee
Paid Training, including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification & Update courses, if role appropriate
Tuition Reimbursement*
Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.
*To qualify, certain conditions may apply
EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.
Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!