Outreach Case Manager

Title:  Outreach Case Manager (I-III), L.A DOOR
Division: Project 180
Pay Scale: $24.45-$29.66/hour (+$100 bilingual differential)
Schedule: 6am-2:30pm
 

The Organization

SSG-Project 180 turns lives around through innovative, wraparound services that keep people out of institutions and in their communities. Project 180 is a leader in the forensic treatment space, offering high-quality, specialized treatment programs that serve thousands of justice-involved individuals. Our programs span criminal justice intercepts and include pre-arrest interventions, court-based diversions, jail in-reach, and intensive post-release services. Project 180 operates in partnership with County agencies including the Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Justice, Care and Opportunities Department (JCOD).

The Program

L.A DOOR is a Prop 47 granted program working in collaboration with the L.A City Attorney’s office to provide comprehensive health focused criminal justice interventions to city residents. Services are provided to adults that are at risk for returning to the City Attorney based on a new misdemeanor offense related to mental illness, addiction, and/or homelessness.  L.A DOOR provides multidisciplinary mobile outreach services to hotspot locations, provide immediate linkage to services through diversion, and provide intensive case management services.

The Position

Under the supervision of the Field Supervisor, the LA DOOR Case Manager is responsible for providing intensive, wraparound, field based case management services. Case Managers also serve as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team. A successful LA DOOR case manager will actively engage this population in services, supporting their clients in making progress towards meaningful recovery goals and increasing utilization of community resources. Job title (I-III) to be established based on years of relevant experience.

Essential Functions

Provide intensive, wraparound, field-based services to support recovery goals

• Actively engage clients in services through the development of strong rapport, consistent contact and use of motivational interviewing. Provide outreach services and meet clients “where they are at” (service location, client’s point of view).
• Services to target cornerstones of recovery oriented care (instilling hope, empowerment, self-responsibility and engaging in meaningful roles). Ensure service delivery is consistent with ethical standards and a harm reduction, strength based, trauma informed framework. 
• Develop and maintain knowledge of available community resources. Administer screenings and needs assessment and link clients to community resources. Monitor ongoing participation in services/use of resources and facilitate problem solving to target barriers. Accompany clients to linkage appointments when appropriate. 
• Teach prosocial and recovery skills (i.e communication, problem solving, anger management skills) for long term stability in the community. 
• Engage and join with collaterals (family members, probation, court) as appropriate. Provide education related to mental health recovery to better support clients. Engage in client advocacy.  
• Act as a liaison to providers, prosecutors, police, defense attorneys, etc.

Coordinate care with a multidisciplinary treatment team

• Actively contribute to planning and execution of clinical interventions in collaboration with the treatment team. Leverage unique skills and abilities of team members in service delivery.  
• Participate in coordinated outreach and engagement efforts with the treatment team per program guidelines. 

• Collaborate with external partners (ie residential substance treatment facilities, primary care clinics, etc) to ensure high quality, integrated care. 

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain comprehensive case notes in the electronic health record per program guidelines
• Participate in program data collection per program guidelines.

Fulfill baseline Project 180 staff expectations.

• Regular attendance required. Holiday or weekend work may be required.
• Maintain and uphold Agency mission statement, values, policies, procedures, and principles. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.  

Skills and Abilities

• Empathetic, strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Culturally competent: Understands and is sensitive to diverse backgrounds and needs
• Resourceful: Efficiently navigates and utilizes resources available
• Collaborative: Able to work in diverse teams to solve complex issues 
• Adaptive to changing circumstances and client needs in a dynamic environment
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills, remains calm under pressure. 
• Detail-oriented, organized and has strong time management skills.

Minimum Qualification

• Required:
  • Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
  • Lived experience with homelessness, mental health/substance use recovery, the criminal justice system, residing in community served, and/or former gang membership
  • Valid CA driver’s license, proof of insurance and own vehicle required. Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle as needed. 
  • Must not be on any type of legal supervision (probation or parole).
  • Verification of Employment Eligibility and Background Check
  • Basic computer skills
  • Case Manager I: Less than 2 years case management experience
  • Case Manager II: 2 years case management experience
  • Case Manager III: 3 or more years of case management experience
• Preferred: 
  • Previous case management experience
  • Spanish speaking
  • Experience working with the forensic and/or dual diagnosed populations.
  • Experience working on an interdisciplinary team in a mental health or hospital setting.
  • Experience and/or comfortable using harm reduction interventions

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Environmental Conditions (Working Conditions)

Job duties are to be performed both in office and field settings.

Physical Requirements  

The employee is expected to move about the worksite throughout the day, which may involve walking, standing, and climbing stairs, or using a mobility device, or similar. The employee is expected to drive, carry a maximum of 20 lbs, listen, and speak in order to complete job requirements. 

Mental Requirements 

The employee must be able to do any/all of the following: perform complex and varied tasks such as synthesizing information and making decisions without immediate supervision; handle routine distractions, interruptions, noise, and uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules; interact professionally and diplomatically in high-stress situations; create and follow plans; meet deadlines.