Description

City Care is searching for the right person with a knack for seeing great potential in others and working as part of the team with the shared goal of motivating change toward that potential. To advocate is to speak in favor of another. We believe that our best advocate role is lived out by being in relationship with those that are working hard to believe in a bright future for themselves. We are looking for a very organized and task-oriented Advocate to work closely with a caseload of individuals or families living in a peer-supported community, by guiding them toward health and wholeness.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities: 

Case Management and Support Services

• Will report to the Senior Director of Supportive Communities.
• Manage a caseload of up to 30 households exiting chronic homelessness, providing comprehensive support services and guidance throughout their transition from homelessness to stable housing. (Note: The specific number of cases within a caseload may vary based on needs and capacity).
• Collaborate with the Facilities and Property Management team, and external community partners to assist individuals in maintaining a successful housing placement.
• Advocate for clients' rights, choices, and cultural preferences, ensuring their autonomy, dignity, and individuality are respected and upheld throughout the case management process.
• Conduct thorough assessments of clients' needs, barriers, and goals to develop individualized service plans tailored to their unique circumstances.
• Deliver consistent, in-person case management services in clients' homes, encompassing various responsibilities such as intake/assessment, long-term housing stabilization planning, budget planning, facilitating opportunities to enhance income through employment or disability assistance, supporting connections to behavioral health and physical healthcare services, and implementing eviction prevention measures.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate clients' progress toward housing stability, adjusting service plans as needed to ensure their continued success.
• Assist clients in establishing natural support systems that foster their independence and self-sufficiency, connecting them with community resources, social networks, and other sources of assistance that align with their goals and preferences.
• Provide education to clients on topics such as community safety, self-determination, legal obligations, and healthy relationships as relevant and appropriate to their circumstances, promoting their well-being and informed decision-making.
• Connect clients to transportation resources and provide transportation as needed to facilitate their attendance at appointments and access to services.

Documentation and Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) program enrollments.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date case documentation, including but not limited to telephone calls, emails, attempts to make contact, and face-to-face interactions with clients. Ensure that all interactions and relevant information are detailed and clearly documented in clients' case records within the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

Collaboration and Community Engagement

• Collaborate with other service providers and community partners to enhance clients' access to supportive resources and promote their overall well-being.
• Facilitate in-house group meetings and group travel to meetings and social activities in the community.
• Demonstrate a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, promoting client empowerment, self-determination, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions.

Requirements

• Embodiment of City Care values. Have a knowledge of the complexity of the intersection of poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use and recovery.
• Candidates with lived experience should have at least 3 years fully reintegrated in the community, outside of any City Care programs or other supportive housing services.
• Previous experience working with individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, or related social services experience. Familiarity with community resources for mental health, substance use disorder treatment, employment, and healthcare services.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to establish rapport with clients, advocate on their behalf, and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to professional ethical standards.
• Proficient use of computers, basic office software, and data management systems used to track service delivery and internal agency functions.
• Ability to assess client needs, develop individualized plans centered around specific goals, and provide empathetic support and guidance. Strong conflict resolution, deescalation, and crisis management skills.
• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental approach when engaging with clients.
• Knowledge and understanding of working with diverse populations, including people with disabilities.
• A reliable means of transportation, including a valid Oklahoma Driver's License, a clean motor vehicle record, and auto insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements set by the agency.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check.
• Desire to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness.

Working Conditions:

• This position may involve flexible working hours, which may include evenings or weekends, to accommodate the needs of clients and ensure availability for landlords and housing providers.
• Interaction with individuals who have complex needs and working in diverse communities.
• Commuting to client visits in various neighborhoods and communities.
• Exposure to various physical and environmental conditions, including inclement weather and individuals with complex needs.
• Standing, walking, or sitting for extended periods during property visits, meetings, or events.
• Occasional lifting or moving of objects.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Tolerance for a fast-paced work environment.