Community Support Case Manager I, II, III

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 45 programs/services at 18 locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping and empowering vulnerable individuals, families and communities toward self-sufficiency.

Job Summary: Under the supervision of the Program Director or Program Manager (or designated supervisor), the Community Supports (CS) Case Manager I, II, III is responsible for managing and overseeing all case management activities related to the assigned programs. This position is based in a mobile wellness unit, providing on-the-go support to clients across various locations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The case manager will assist individuals and families in navigating resources such as housing support, social services, and other community-based resources. The role focuses on client-centered care, ensuring timely, accurate service delivery while supporting clients in accessing essential services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Program Oversight & Compliance

• Review and ensure adherence to the scope of work requirements for each assigned program as outlined by the Program Director/Manager.

• Fulfill program or contract requirements as directed by the Program Director/Manager.

Client Support & Case Management

• Provide culturally responsive, empathetic care, maintaining appropriate boundaries while serving clients and the community in a mobile setting across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

• Ensure client eligibility for services and assess client needs, conducting assessments and case management activities within the mobile wellness unit or other community locations.

• Deliver case management services to clients, including intake, assessment, care planning, linkage to resources, and collaboration with community services while on-site in the mobile wellness unit.

• Monitor and track client charts monthly, ensuring service provision is documented and compliance is maintained. Follow up on charts not in compliance.

• Complete timely, accurate documentation in accordance with program policies and guidelines.

Confidentiality & Reporting

· Securely store client charts and always ensure confidentiality, especially while working in a mobile unit.

· Complete Incident Reports within 24 hours of an incident.

· Notify the Program Manager of any client, program, staff, or agency issues or concerns as they arise.

· Follow all HIPAA compliance standards to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

Administrative Support

· Attend all scheduled meetings, supervision sessions, and training.

· Submit timecards, time-off requests, and activity logs in a timely manner.

· Provide required reports to the Program Manager or Coordinator according to the established schedule.

· Provide back-up support to other staff as needed.

Quality Assurance & Networking

· Participate in Peer Review chart audits to ensure quality service delivery.

· Develop and maintain a network of resources and referrals appropriate for client needs.

· Schedule visits with service providers and guest speakers for client education and support.

· Engage in outreach activities, network-building events, and community resource fairs to expand referral networks and linkages to resources.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations. Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

· Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs. Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

· Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting. Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

· Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification. Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

· Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Able to read and interpret written information.

· Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed; Recognizes accomplishments of other team members.

· Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

· Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

· Assessments and Care Planning – Demonstrates ability to complete a thorough Psychosocial Assessment Care 

Plan to identify client needs and develop plans to address identified needs and show outcomes.

· Knowledge of Community Resources – Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and ability to research and develop comprehensive resource lists to serve clients effectively.

· Ethics - Works with integrity and ethically; upholds organizational values.

· Innovation - Displays original thinking and creativity; Meets challenges with resourcefulness; Generate questions for improving work; Develops innovative approaches and ideas; Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

· Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and Experience: High School Diploma with 2 years of experience or a bachelor’s degree with 1 years of experience or a master’s degree in social work or related field with internship plus six or more months experience in Case management.

Language Ability: Must read, speak and write fluent English. 

Communication: Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and staff. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must have a very good knowledge of Word processing software and Excel spreadsheet software.

Driving: 

Clear California Driver’s License (Must allow DMV check before hire with monitoring throughout employment) a working vehicle and proof of current vehicle insurance as required in the driving policy.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.