Upstream Prevention Case Manager Family Department

Reports to: Diversion/Prevention Manager of Family Programs

Mission Statement:

Father Bill's & MainSpring is committed to ending and preventing homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.

Father Bill's & MainSpring is a growing and dynamic social service agency with particular expertise in emergency and permanent housing, job training and placement, and prevention services for individuals and families in need. Over the next five years, our strategic focus includes an increase in affordable, permanent supportive housing, a more efficient model of care for families experiencing homelessness, commitment to an enhanced delivery model to reduce the need for shelter, and improved community relations in order to achieve these goals. Our staff are thoughtful and caring individuals who share our passion for these ideals and creative approaches to helping people improve their lives.

We offer a generous benefits package and a comprehensive orientation and training program, as well as ample opportunities for advancement for qualified individuals who show a commitment to our Mission.

Position Summary:

The Upstream Prevention Case Manager position is an innovative, full-time position responsible for working towards preserving existing tenancies and/or locating and securing housing opportunities for FBMS participants. Applicants need to work diligently to build and maintain strong, working relationships with local landlords, Harvard Kennedy School researchers, state officials and community partners as well as with the internal FBMS teams. The applicant would benefit from having an energetic, enthusiastic, creative, and outgoing mindset as well as strengths in organization, problem solving, and flexibility.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Receive and respond to referrals from the Family Programs Manager, external non-profit and state entities (EOHLC), Regional Administrative internal providers such as Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) as well as self -referrals by participants.
• Complete an ongoing assessment of family’s immediate housing needs and assist in preserving tenancy or providing housing search assistance to obtain stable housing if required.
• Provide tenant, landlord/property manager, researchers, and stakeholders with updates regarding progress, and all identified ongoing concerns as appropriate. This could include weekly communication with researchers.

• Networking and maintaining relationships with local landlords, internal and external stakeholders and community partners.
• Collaborate with the Employment Specialist to ensure employment needs are addressed.
• Assist families to identify community services, make appropriate referrals, and follow up. May serve as part of a Wrap Around Services team to assist participant(s) in maintaining housing.
• Accompany and transport families to community services and apartment searches as appropriate.
• Complete a Housing Action Plan with participants to address barriers to maintaining housing
• Create, implement and encourage families to follow a reasonable budget to meet their needs.
• Supervision, monitoring and reporting to researchers of participant’s progress with referrals and services for up to 90

days following participants stabilization into housing

• Maintain written progress reports and supporting documentation, including, but not limited to ETO/HMIS.
• Provide families with appropriate information (Section 8, lottery applications, CHAMP, income based rental listings, RAFT, SPI) to further assist in future housing needs.
• Educate families on how and where to access appropriate community resources, (i.e., fuel assistance, food banks, thrift stores, donation centers, etc.)
• Maintain and increase positive, team-oriented working relationships with local landlords, supportive service agencies, and state and non-profit agencies.
• Responsible for tracking and reporting on outcomes of prevention services, including researchers.
• Complete and maintain all necessary documentation in client’s records. This includes but is not limited to ETO/HMIS and researcher database; any additional reports requested.

Requirements:

This position requires 2-4 years of experience with housing and/or social work and/or a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field. CPR certification is required and provided by FBMS. AED and First Aid may also be required and will be provided by FBMS. Strong organizational and communication skills are required. Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and daily access to a motor vehicle.

Skills & Competencies:

• Empathy: An understanding and empathy for those dealing with homelessness and related issues.
• Professionalism: Maintains the highest level of professionalism in the delivery of services, building relationships, collaboration with co-workers, and representation of Father Bill’s & MainSpring within the organization and the community.

• Communication: Speaks appropriately in positive and/or negative conversations with supervisors, co-workers, volunteers, donors and constituents; Articulates the goals of Father Bill’s & MainSpring.

• Record-Keeping: Routine clerical or record-keeping incidental to the essential responsibilities of the job (including, but not limited to, data entry and case file updates).

• Job Knowledge: Possesses the practical and technical knowledge required on the job.
• Attendance: Acceptable overall attendance record, consistently at work and on  time.

• Reliability: Relied upon for task completion and follow-up. Follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance. Adherence to deadlines is required.

• Initiative: Seeks out new assignments and is willing to be flexible with additional duties.

• Adherence to Policy: Follows safety and workplace expectations, regulations and processes as defined in the Employee Handbook.

• Work Ethic: Demonstrates a commitment to the Mission and adheres to the Operating Principles of Father Bill’s

& MainSpring and works as part of a team toward a common goal.

Other:

• Safety & Security: Actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly.

• Physical Demands: The demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to verbally convey detailed information or important instructions or ideas accurately or quickly. Must be able to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information. Average visual acuity is necessary.