SSVF Case Manager

Position Summary:

The SSVF Case Manager works directly with veterans and their families to address housing crises, connect to VA and mainstream benefits, link to community resources, and help transition families to self-sufficiency. They are responsible for maintaining client records and for special projects as assigned. In Savannah, they are also responsible for performing both outreach and navigation duties in order to identify prospective clients in the community and connect them with SSVF services, if veteran and income-eligible. This added component involves working closely with the VA, local government, community partners, and SSVF Eligibility Screening Specialist to be successful.

Position Responsibilities:

• Generates appropriate referrals to the SSVF program and other community resources
• Coordinates emergency services for literally homeless clients
• Maintains outreach and engagement records on all individuals engaged, referred, and screened in an access database for reporting purposes through Outreach Manager
• Engages with the VA and community partners for effective coordination of services for Veteran households
• Assess new clients during screening, intake, and orientation
• Interact with clients, colleagues, and community partners in a professional, respectful manner.
• Assess program qualification criteria of client and aid in referral to outside resources
• Assist veterans in the planning of housing attainment and sustainability including housing search, job training, education, budgeting, and money management, increase in household income and connection to VA and Non-VA benefits
• Conduct housing habitability inspections in accordance with SSVF program guidelines and standards
• Ensure Rent Reasonableness of housing units located and/or paid for by the SSVF program in accordance with the program guidelines and standards
• Complete client household recertification for program eligibility every 90 days
• Work with the veteran to create a housing stability plan (using S.M.A.R.T. goals) and monitor household progress and accomplishments to reach identified goals
• Provide ongoing support, crisis intervention, and housing stability support, and resource referrals.
• Coordinate housing, benefits, medical, legal, substance abuse and/or psychological services as, as needed
• Work consultatively with other staff to ensure appropriate levels of case management/support
• Keep client files current in case file and database, with all documentation and case notes uploaded to HMIS within 24 hours of interaction
• Conduct home visits to support the client in housing stabilization
• Liaison with the VA outreach departments, community outreach departments, VASH department, and the VA benefits and hospital departments
• Participate in conferences, workshops, special projects, staff meetings, and other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Passionate about ending veteran homelessness and coordinating services
• Knowledgeable of substance abuse/mental health issues, interventions, and treatment planning
• Some knowledge of affordable housing programs such as Section 8 housing, VASH voucher, and Shelter Plus Care programs
• Working knowledge of community resources as they relate to homelessness and veterans
• Word processing skills required
• Commitment to, and demonstrated ability to data input required for recording client interaction – must be tech-savvy
• Veterans preferred
• Three (3) years of work experience is preferred
• Educational background can be diverse; however, a Bachelor's Degree is preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities
• Working knowledge of community resources
• Skilled at building trust and rapport with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to work alone on own initiative, often with minimum supervision, as well as part of a small team
• Knowledge of federal, state and/or community funding sources and mechanisms
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• A strong public service orientation to work well with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Skilled in the use of personal computers, including knowledge of Microsoft Office, and ability to learn and correctly enter data into the Homeless Management Information System
• Ability to work with a diverse team in a fast-paced environment
• Enthusiasm and the ability to thrive in an atmosphere of constant change
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of identifying client information