Medical Case Worker II - N399

Salary Range: $24.33-$35.11 per hour

SUMMARY

The Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH) consolidates our countywide response to homelessness. The driving force behind HSH is increasing accountability and transparency, improving care for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and streamlining collaboration with partners including services providers, the County’s 88 cities, and unincorporated areas to deliver high-quality, life-saving care.  Staff schedules are based on business need and may include the option of a hybrid work schedule where employees work remotely and from the office.

HSH will launch Flexible Financial Assistance for People Experiencing Homelessness (FFA for PEH). This targeted funding is provided to people experiencing homelessness who are in need of financial assistance to secure housing, get closer to housing stability, or connect to employment. Participants will be actively engaged and/or enrolled in supportive services and will be referred by their case manager or outreach workers from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Access Centers, and faith- based organizations.

The MCW II (FFA Coordinator) position will perform full-time referral management of all FFA for PEH requests. The position will report to HSH Program Leadership and will work alongside the Homelessness Prevention Unit (HPU), although the role will manage a separate program not targeted towards at-risk households and will utilize a distinct funding source. Working closely with the HPU Program Management and supervised by HPU’s Budget Program Manager, this position will be responsible for receiving, tracking, and processing FFA requests for referred participants. The FFA Coordinator will be responsible for processing financial assistance requests, verifying supporting documentation, cross-checking program enrollment and eligibility for other supportive services, and organizing records and transactions in multiple systems, including HMIS and SalesForce. This role will require close contact with referring parties, as well as landlords and other vendors who will be receiving payment on behalf of clients.  During the processing of financial assistance request the FFA Coordinator will also be responsible for reviewing sensitive documents, including W9s, affidavits, and invoices/bills. The FFA Coordinator will work directly with referring agencies to troubleshoot challenging FFA requests. The FFA Coordinator will also be a key liaison to Brilliant Corners, who will process FFA payments.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Referral Management

• Review FFA referrals submitted by partner agencies and screen for participant eligibility and priority.
• Verify referring party’s attempt to utilize other funding sources, including, but not limited to, CalAIM Housing Deposits, Multi-Disciplinary Team flexible funding, and the department of Public Social Services, DPSS One Time Moving Assistance, before approving request.
• Review and approve financial assistance requests and ensure appropriate documentation is provided for processing.
• Maintain communication with referring agency regarding eligibility, fulfillment timeframes, and pathways to other resources when eligibility is denied.
• Maintain strong communication with third party vendors (landlord, mechanics, etc.) regarding processing times and updates on payment status.
• Maintain strong communication with Brilliant Corners and its Operation Specialists who will process payments to third party vendors.
• Support with the ongoing training for referring agencies by hosting office hours, regular trainings, and updating training material and guides.

Reporting and Analysis

• Review and maintain client-level data and records in SalesForce and HMIS
• Assist in researching, compiling and developing data-based analysis, reports, and the creation and maintenance of data and budgeting tools
• Work on projects, such as analyzing trends in FFA spending, monitoring data quality, and other financial assistance challenges as needed.
• Assist with preparation of reports and presentations as needed
• Rigorously documents processes and procedures used for all reporting and analyses.
• Assist with the design, development, implementation and maintenance of reports, analysis tools, and review processes
• Other duties as assigned

Tool Development and Maintenance

• Assist in refining financial assistance processes and program practices through the creation of new analytical and documentation tools
• Help to design, build and maintain financial assistance support tools to be used within HSH, Brilliant Corners, and by other external stakeholders

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

One year of experience as a Medical Case Worker I - OR - A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of professional casework experience interviewing, counseling, and assisting patients/clients with social problems.

Certificates/Licenses/Clearances

• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Successful clearance of the Live Scan process with the County of Los Angeles.
• Health clearance required.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledgeable of community, mental health, and mainstream systems and the variety of programs offered by each to assist those most at risk of experiencing homelessness. 
• Highly motivated self-starter, with proven ability to develop creative solutions.
• Ability to coordinate projects and competing priorities in a high-pressure, fast- paced and time-sensitive environment.
• Ability to interact and work closely with a diverse clientele.
• Demonstrated experience interviewing clients, individuals, and families to collect data to determine what services are needed. 
• Demonstrated experience in linking clients, individuals, and families to specific healthcare, mental health and community-based programs.  
• Ability to pay close attention to detail. 
• Ability to work in a professional manner, with courtesy and tact, and maintain confidentiality and security of documents and information.  
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt to shifting priorities
• Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary professionals and partners both internally and externally.  
• Must possess strong organizational skills initiative and follow-through.  
• Computer literate and skilled in use of MS Windows-based programs, including MS Office (Word, PowerPoint).  
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel
• Knowledgeable of data systems utilized across the homeless system of care. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand: Frequently

Walk: Frequently

Sit: Frequently

Reach Outward: Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder: Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Occasionally

Lift / Carry: Occasionally - Up to 15lbs

Push/Pull: Occasionally - Up to 15lbs

See: Constantly

Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable

Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions

Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

General Office Setting, Indoors Temperature Controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.