Overview
We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Veteran Housing Based Case Manager to support our veteran community in securing and maintaining stable housing. This role involves providing comprehensive housing based case management services, coordinating resources, and advocating for veterans' needs to promote successful housing outcomes. The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively in a challenging environment. Experience in case management is required. This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans while developing professional skills within a supportive team.
Core Purpose & Mission Statement
The Core Purpose of the Ottawa Mission is to reflect Jesus’ love in serving the homeless, the hungry, and the lost.
Our Mission is to provide food, shelter, clothing and skills, and offer healing, faith and hope for building a wholesome life
Vision & Values
Our Vision is that all the hurting, hungry and lost in Ottawa find HOPE, HEALING & HOME
Our Values are Faith first, Excellence in All, Respect & Dignity
Position Purpose
Reporting to the Manager of Housing Services, the Veteran Housing Based Case Manager (VHBCM) is responsible for providing comprehensive, housing-based case management services to Veterans transitioning from shelter to permanent housing. The VHBCM promotes improved quality of life by facilitating timely access to community resources and coordinating support that fosters housing stability and long-term housing retention. Working from a client centered, strengths-based approach, the VHBCM delivers individualized support tailored to each Veteran’s unique needs and goals.
Major Responsibilities
Case Management
- Accept new veteran clients onto the caseload who have been service verified and who have secured housing.
- Engage with clients in a manner that is client-directed, strength-based, and culturally competent to identifying goals
- Working with the client, develop an individualized service plan to address needs; service plan will include a discharge plan.
- Be an active participant and provide relevant updates in the Built for Zero veterans working group.
- Collaborate and consult with other service providers including city of Ottawa.
- Participate in regular case conferencing meetings with designated City of Ottawa Program Coordinators.
- Connect with appropriate service providers involved with clients to share information, problem solve, identify emerging issues, analyze data and coordinate services
- Identify and provide follow-up, advocacy and resources for the clients
- Provide practical support and coaching in the clients’ homes and environments, to develop skills to maintain housing and to achieve successful integration into the community.
- Assist clients to build effective relationships with landlords, income-support providers, CHC’s and CRC’s, mental health and addiction supports, legal support agencies, neighbours and any other relationships that will support housing retention.
- Arrange and navigate the process for any available rental subsidy. As well as arrange any rent-direct payments to landlord.
- Maintain and record accurate, complete, up to date client files and case notes according to established procedures. This includes inputting required information into HIFIS, CRMS, monthly stats, etc.
- Participate in special assignments or projects as directed by the Manager of Housing Services
- Attend Veteran specific community forum or workshops
- Attend different working groups recommended by the City of Ottawa program Coordinators based on program needs and trends
- Support with eviction prevention by providing referrals or engagement for clients that are at risk of homelessness
- Review and advise on veteran program documentation as requested by management and City of Ottawa Program coordinators
- Engage with reluctant service verified clients by using assertive engagement practices
- Perform outreach in the community, and at partnering agencies to support contact with clients
- Participate in case conferencing, team meetings and other required meetings as assigned.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Targeted Housing-Focused Intervention
- Build a comprehensive housing plan. Plan will identify and address barriers to finding and maintaining housing
- Set regular meeting dates and times; determine willingness to be housed based on documentation and engagement
- Support client to attend lease signings; obtain first and last month’s rent, OW or ODSP financial start-up and furniture. Document housing placement in HIFIS, with address and details to support the City’s Coordinated Access function
- Arrange for full re-payment or repayment plan for any social housing arrears
- Follow up on any missing identification to complete applications for social housing registry
- Follow up on any referrals to addiction and mental health services, Indigenous services or other support as indicated in HIFIS case management records
- Consult with shelter management on strategies to engage clients who are not participating or willing to actively search for housing
- Other related duties as assigned
Education
- University Degree or College Diploma in Social Work or Social Services or a related field
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working in the Social Service field
- Experience working with homeless and vulnerable populations
- Experience working with individuals with complex needs, including mental health, substance use, trauma, or justice involvement.
Qualifications
- Possess a valid “G” class driver’s license with clean abstract
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Awareness of VI-SDPAT/SPDAT
- Knowledge of Housing First
- Knowledge of the Housing Focused Framework
- Knowledge of the Residential Tenancy Act
- Knowledge of case management approaches
- Knowledge of concurrent disorders and knowledge of related treatment issues
- Knowledge of Veterans specific services
- Knowledge of harm-reduction and being trauma informed, including having a solid understanding of the relationship between trauma and substance use
- Ability to work with clients in all stages of change and to support client goals ranging from harm reduction to abstinence
- Knowledge of mental health issues (i.e., schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety, etc.)
- Professional and excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong skills in critical thinking, decision making and analysis
- Must be patient, organized, client-centered, motivated and pro-active
- Ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team
- Certified/trained in First Aid CPR, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, ASIST, and Mental Health First Aid an asset
- Bilingualism (French/English) an asset
Working Conditions
- Work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends
- Must be comfortable driving a van (i.e. company vehicle)
- As the role requires you to sometimes seek out clients, this role may require you to walk outside, go to community services (i.e., other shelters), in the shelter lounge, etc.
- Will be working with various demographics of clientele
- Assists in moving clients into housing, thus should be able to move and lift furniture
- Ability to handle emergency situations should they arise
- Must work to sometimes meet strident deadlines, manage and respond to competing priorities
- Must be comfortable working in a challenging environment that has the potential for confrontation and/or exposure to violence
We thank all applicants for their interest in The Ottawa Mission, however, due to the volume of resumés we receive, only those selected for interview will be contacted.
ACCOMMODATION IS AVAILABLE, UPON REQUEST, FOR ALL APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES
THE OTTAWA MISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Pay: $59,300.00-$67,700.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Discounted or free food
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Mileage reimbursement
- On-site gym
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
