LEAD Case Manager (LACHP)

Los Angeles Community Health Project (CHPLA) is a program of Heluna Health. CHPLA’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of people affected by substance use in Los Angeles, to increase access to health care, empower people to protect themselves, and educate each other to reduce harm in our communities.

CHPLA combines direct services, advocacy, outreach, education, and research collaborations to fulfill this mission. Los Angeles Community Health Project was founded in 1992.

LEAD is a lifelong, voluntary, pre-arrest, intensive case management (ICMS) program, and is overseen by the LA County Department of Health Services - Office of Diversion and Reentry.

Unlike court mandated programs, the LEAD model requires voluntary participation. Operating under the Harm Reduction model, participants identify personal needs and work together with their case manager to meet the goals outlined in an individualized care plan.

Law enforcement and other justice and community partners identify people whose past criminal charges may have been motivated by unmet behavioral health needs, such as substance use or mental health challenges.

Those referral partners offer the ICMS program and, if accepted, the participant is directly assigned to a case manager.

LEAD partners, and case managers meet monthly to coordinate care and check in on participants’ progress.

The LEAD Case Manager reports to the LEAD ICMS Clinical Supervisor. The Case Manager position will provide frequent field based intensive case management services to participants of the LEAD ICMS harm reduction program.

Participants referred into the program often present complex behavioral health challenges, and the experienced Case manager is expected to navigate and address those issues with the support of the Clinical Supervisor.

The Case Manager will provide direct services to assigned participants (approximately 20 participant case load), and coordinate care by meeting with participants regularly, assessing needs and facilitating access to appropriate resources.

The Case Manager must develop and maintain positive collaborative relationships with not only their participants, but also community partners, and other service providers to best serve their participants.

The LEAD Case Manager will provide care from a truly harm reduction, nonjudgmental, participant-centered, and low-threshold approach.

This is a full time, benefitted position (40 hours per week).

Employment is provided by Heluna Health.

If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation).

The pay rate for this position is $25.00 per hour.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Direct Service

• The Case Manager meets with participants regularly to establish a working relationship, assess needs, and link to services and care.
• At time of intake, assess and address immediate needs of client including need for medical care, shelter, food, clothing, and harm reduction services / supplies.
• Assess, develop and implement with client individualized initial assessments and care plans, which addresses client needs and goals including health care, substance use treatment or harm reduction strategies, education / training and employment resources.
• Educate participants on the range of services available to them through CHPLA and partnered providers, including CHPLA Empowerment Program, Syringe Service Program (SSP) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services, behavioral and health care services, budgeting, job assistance, overdose prevention, and legal assistance.
• Assist participants in entering service programs. Assist participants in scheduling, attending, and keeping appointments, including providing transportation to and from appointments.
• Accompany participants to court or legal hearings to support and advocate on their behalf. With clinical support, write letters to court to provide proof of engagement in LEAD program.
• Accompany client to appointments and advocate for the client with a wide variety of other service providers.
• Support participants who may be having crisis
• Support participants in obtaining and maintaining permanent supportive housing by utilizing housing vouchers and resources such as HACLA, LAHSA, and Brilliant Corners.
• Support client drop-in center weekly as assigned.

Administration and Program Support

• Update assessments and care plans quarterly to reflect client’s progress towards goals
• Attend ongoing trainings.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationship with community partners and other service providers including substance use treatment / MAT providers, mental health providers, housing resources, and primary healthcare, LA prosecutors and LAPD.
• Complete documentation in a timely basis. Enter data into CHAMP system within 24-72 hours of client contact or attempted client contact.

Submit incident reports within 24 hours of incident. Maintain contact with participants.

• Develop and maintain client files and other necessary reporting for assigned caseload according to contract requirements.
• Attend regular case conference meetings, Operating Work Group meetings with LEAD partner stakeholders, including DHS, LAPD etc.
• Other duties as assigned

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services, or related field preferred. High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 1 year of experience with field-based, intensive case management services including linking people to housing, health care, entitlements, and treatment.

May be substituted by an associate degree in human services, or related field.

Experience serving people who use drugs, people at-risk for overdose, and / or vulnerable populations.

Relevant Work and Lived Experience

• Member of the community, close affiliation, or shared life experience with justice involved individuals.
• Ability to work appropriately and effectively within a variety of communities with varying populations.
• Experience working with medically and socially complex individuals.

Certificates / Licenses / Clearances

• A valid California driver’s license, proof of vehicle insurance, and reliable transportation or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
• Successfully background check clearance.
• Valid Class C driver’s license required.
• Must legally be able to drive company vehicles to various locations across Los Angeles.

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Written and spoken proficiency in Spanish preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook,).
• Experience serving the chronically homeless population with co-occurring disorders.
• Understanding and willingness to take a harm reduction approach.
• Able to maintain composure and clear judgement under high stress situations, high demands.
• Knowledge and understanding of motivational interviewing techniques.
• Ability to prioritize and self-manage workload and activities to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, collaborative team player.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work very independently and seek supervision when appropriate.
• Ability to set boundaries and resolve conflict using de-escalation techniques.
• Willingness to utilize own vehicle or company vehicle to conduct business and provide transportation for participants.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stand Frequently

Walk Frequently

Sit Frequently

Handling / Fingering Occasionally

Reach Outward Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry Frequently - Up to 50 lbs

Push / Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

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

Both office and community setting. Will be necessary to travel throughout Los Angeles for participant care, participant transports and trainings.

Field work takes place in a variety of setting including encampments, hospitals, shelters, courthouse, community settings.

Agency vehicles are available, but work may require use of personal vehicle at times.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Interested candidates must submit a resume for consideration.

Candidates with lived experience are encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law