For almost 40 years, Austin Street Center has specialized in caring for the most vulnerable homeless men and women in Dallas. Beyond meeting basic needs, Austin Street is committed to individualized care for each person who comes to us for help. Our goal is that every homeless person who comes to Austin Street Center finds hope, support, and the resources they need to transition out of homelessness.

Your role will support the mission thorough the following actions:

• Support organization with a mindset of kindness, trustworthiness, determination, and empowerment for those that we serve.
• Be aware of Client(s) particular circumstances (e.g., health concerns, peak stress time, emotional difficulties, problems, etc.)
• At times require you to be resourceful and can make decisions in a timely efficient manner using the training and guidance you have been given.
• Recognize that diversity of culture, personality, and life experience are ingredients for a better world.
• Demonstrate experience with sensitivity to varying cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds, values, and attitudes.
• Communicate with Client(s) and team member(s) with a positive and willing attitude to help

Flexibility to learn at all times and recover with poise and ease from setbacks. Flexibility and a cooperative spirit are crucial characteristics.

• Understand and abide by the confidentiality standards of the organization.
• Ensure that all health and safety standards are followed and corrected when needed.
• Provide a safe environment, shelter, and meet the basic needs of most vulnerable homeless.
• Independently manage time with little supervision.
• Ability to multitask, handle on-site crisis and adapt to the changing needs of the clients.
• Acceptance of agency philosophies of providing hope, support and the resources needed to transition out of homelessness.
• Able to develop and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff, and community contacts and able to effectively address and resolve conflict as needed
• Ability to work respectfully with diverse teams, build consensus, and motivate change

Position Purpose

To execute the design of The Sisterhood Program and oversee the completion of individualized housing plans with Sisterhood clients by assisting them in ending their homeless experience. The Case Manager is the primary point of contact to the women participating in the Program and is the staff advocate for their needs.

Your role will support the mission through the following actions:

Essential Job Duties

Program Intake and Support

• Maintain a safe and healing environment for all clients and staff.
• Treat all clients with the utmost respect and dignity, displaying excellent customer service skills. Prepare client assessments for presentation as direct ed.
• Coordinate with Director of Sisterhood Program to organize and oversee services provided by outside agencies, volunteers, and Austin Street Center staff to clients enrolled in The Sisterhood.
• Identify resources to address client’s problems in the areas of housing, employment, trauma, mental health, substance abuse, counseling, and other areas, as well as referring, linking, and advocating for clients to successfully navigate those resources.
• Facilitates program meetings and addresses participant concerns and input.
• Assist clients in creating a crisis plan and perform crisis intervention when necessary. Establish referral relationships with other social service agencies and attend community coalition meetings as directed.

Housing-Focused Case Management

• Assist in identifying needs of clients and giving appropriate referrals and resources to fit their needs.
• Complete client intake into The Sisterhood, ensuring that all eligibility information is documented and filed appropriately.
• Complete all aspects of the housing coordination process, including completion of an individualized housing plan, with all assigned clients and assist clients in executing their housing plan.
• Serve as an advocate for clients in obtaining community resources such as writing letters on behalf of clients and coordinating assistance for clients with other service providers (ex: meetings with housing programs, medical appointments, and legal service coordination). These clients may be in house Sisterhood clients or Aftercare clients.
• Accompany most vulnerable clients to necessary appointments based upon their level of need.
• Deliver group-based content to train clients in skills necessary to become more prepared to obtain and maintain permanent housing.
• Provide after care support by following up and meeting with clients who have been housed on a bi-weekly basis to prevent homelessness recidivism

Maintain High Quality of Care

• Maintain accurate documentation of client services and case notes in compliance with agency guidelines within one business day of service provision.
• Attends staff meetings and weekly client service meetings.
• Complete weekly one-on-one supervision with immediate supervisor to review performance and client engagement.
• Maintains current client records/data and accurate program reports.
• Engage clients with unconditional positive regard and maintain ethical standards in relation to direct practice.
• Other duties may be required by the supervisor.

Skills/Requirements

• Minimum Required: Bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field (social work,
• sociology, psychology, etc.) or equivalent of 4 years of job-related training and experience.
• Experience Preferred: 5 years or more of job-related training and experience. Program development and management experience, especially amongst clients with histories of violent trauma. Als   lived experience of Substance Misuse Disorder Strongly Preferred.
• Experience with or willing to learn Housing Forward’s Coordinated Access System (CAS).
• Proficient in Client Track.
• Ability to deliver services according to evidence-based practices, especially Housing First, Harm Reduction, Motivational Interviewing, and the Transtheoretical Model of Change
• Intermediate skill or experience in Microsoft Office applications
• Great communication, leadership, and administrative skills
• Must be able to work with marginalized individuals with respect.
• Must be a self-starter and have the ability to collaborate with colleagues within the Organization.