LEAD CASE MANAGER (PROJECT IN-REACH MINISTRY)

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under supervision of the Director of Social Services (DSS) and the Program Director (PD), the Lead Case Manager provides supervision to Peer Support Specialists and Social Workers who provide care coordination and case management to clients age 18+ with serious mental illness or co-occurring disorders for 180 days prerelease and 120 days post-release from incarceration.  The Lead Case Manager will work with the Lead Clinical Case Manager and the Program Director to coordinate client services and to train and supervise staff.  The Lead Case Manager assists in the training and mentoring of Peer Support Specialists and Social Workers and assists the Program Director in the gathering of outcome data, creation of training materials, and the development of various reports as requested.  

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

• Provides training and supervision to post-team and assigns clients to post-team members to follow client plan of recommended goals; 
• Performs crisis intervention as needed; assesses and identifies clients’ needs for supportive services, acts as a partner and resource, assists with case management services and client advocacy by obtaining appropriate linkages for necessary or requested services (e.g., mental health, housing, vocational, employment, food, etc.) and follows through to ensure service efficacy;
• Refers clients to clinical services which are provided pre- and post-release;
• Collaborates with other service team members on client concerns; 
• Attends, provides information and participates in care coordination meetings and consultations;
• Provides supervision to peer support specialists and social workers on best practices, client care, and case management plans;
• Supervises and directs staff in close collaboration with the Program Director;
• Oversees DayForce for assigned staff, completes staff evaluations, and completes other tasks as assigned;
• Works closely with the Program Director on program evaluation and service delivery adjustments; 
• Monitors staff progress and assists with professional development;
• Represents Program Director in their absence at community meetings, staff meetings, etc., and responds to all inquiries in a timely manner;
• Monitors staff training compliance on Relias and Peer Certification completion and certification;
• Requests assistance and guidance from management and professional staff when necessary to address client issues and problems;
• Establishes and maintains contact with community resources to ensure continuity of care;
• Creates detailed documentation of client progress and performs various other administrative functions associated with the program; maintains client charts; 
• Transports clients to their needed linkage resource(s);
• Provides information, presentations and outreach to the community as needed;
• Upholds all Program Safety Policies/ Procedures and ensures that clients, staff and program facility are safe at all times;
• Help with program reports
• Assist with pre release and post release groups as needed;
• Assist with pre release linkage as needed;
• Other duties assigned by the GM, DSS and PD. 

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

        Knowledge of:  

• Cultural and socio-economic issues relevant to providing therapy and appropriate case management services to special population groups, including Latino, African-American, and Transition Age Youth;
• Legal and ethical issues pertaining to delivery of professional services;  
• Evidence-based practices pertaining to the justice-involved population;  
• Group therapy;
• Skills and knowledge in providing prevention and early intervention services;
• 2+ years in supervision of staff and management;
• Co-occurring disorders;
• Detailed co-occurring treatment and care coordination plans;
• Reviewing case notes;
• Local community and mental health resources available to assist incarcerated clients;  
• Group dynamic theories and facilitation methods;  
• Social, psychological and physical factors of mental, emotional, and substance use disorders;  
• Addictive behavior treatment methods; and Community resources.

        Ability to:

• Assess for the purpose of acquiring diagnostic information and developing case management treatment plans;  
• Work with the incarcerated population and correctional staff;  
• Maintain detailed client documentation;  
• Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with a variety of people with mental illnesses;  
• Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of responsibility;  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, correctional staff, other professional staff and the public;  
• Operate a computer using word processing, spreadsheet and database software applications, and operate other standard office equipment;  
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply local, state and federal law and regulations governing mental health programs and correctional facilities;  
• Analyze complex mental health and substance abuse program issues and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and develop sound conclusions, recommendations and courses of action;  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;  
• Successfully perform duties in a field-based setting.

Training & Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills and abilities outlined above is: Graduation from Masters level program in social work, marriage and family therapy, Criminal Justice, Public Health or related subject. A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in a substance use/mental health setting, experience with motivational interviewing and different therapeutic approaches, experience with mental health diagnoses, experience working with Latinx and African American and the incarcerated population is highly desirable. A minimum of three (3) years of experience in supervising.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English; ability to write simple correspondence in English; ability to effectively communicate and present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s; ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Reasoning Ability: 

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables, in standardized situations.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California driver's license with current, valid California automobile insurance is required; CPR/First Aid Certified; TB test required upon hire and must be maintained every four (4) years. Bilingual (English/ Spanish) highly desirable.  

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: 

Employee is required to stand, bend or stoop for long periods of time; sit, stand, talk or hear in person and by telephone, use hands to finger, handle and feel computers and other standard office equipment, and reach with hands and arms. The employee infrequently lifts up to fifty pounds.  This is a field-based program; employee will provide services in the community or social settings.

Mental Demands:

This job includes close vision and the ability to adjust focus; use written and oral communications skills; read and interpret information and documents; analyze and solve problems; observe and interpret people and situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

The employee works under typical office conditions; the noise level varies, usually between quiet to moderate noise as well as in the field with a varied work environment.