LEAD Case Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
We are community builders co-creating enduring change toward a just society where every person has personal, social, and economic power. Our united system of programs, neighborhood centers, social enterprises, and partnerships connects individuals and their families across the region. 

The Movement for Black Lives has created an opening to radically rethink how our communities pursue public health, order, safety, and equity. LEAD Minneapolis, a harm reduction diversion initiative, is an approach to creating and sustaining safe communities. The LEAD program supports people who otherwise would be subject to arrest for low-level, nonviolent law violations that stem from unmet behavioral health needs. LEAD fosters partnerships between community members, law enforcement, health and service agencies, business owners, and civil rights advocates to address the over-reliance on arrest and the legal system by diverting individuals into long-term, community-based case management. 

POSITION OVERVIEW 

The primary objective of this position is to provide engagement and intensive case management services to individuals suspected of law violations due to underlying substance use, mental health needs, homelessness and/or extreme poverty. This person reports to the LEAD Case Management Supervisor and is responsible for providing direct services to a caseload of approximately 25 individuals. The LEAD Case Manager will ensure provision of outreach, long-term engagement, and supportive services for participants through intensive case management activities through collaboration with LEAD partners, service providers, housing providers, and other community organizations. The ideal candidate will be an expert relationship builder, skilled in harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles, enjoy working on a team, and possess the ability to navigate complex systems of care, resources, and government systems to effectively support program participants. 

Primary Responsibilities (Essential Functions) 

Strategy and Thought Leadership  

• Programming expert in providing outreach and intensive case management services to individuals with criminal legal system involvement due to underlying substance use, mental health needs, homelessness and/or extreme poverty
• Make recommendations for program improvements
• Stay current with and connected to available community resources
• Stay current on harm reduction and trauma-informed best practices

Operations and Outcomes  

• Provide Outreach and Intensive Case Management services for assigned clients
• Engage participants on the street and at social service provider facilities to establish a working relationship and offer services
• Assess participants for the severity of chemical dependency and housing status and determine needs for other services, e.g., medical, mental health
• Assist participants in gaining access to a variety of funding programs (e.g., SSI, ABD, GA, VA)
• Assist participants in finding housing and maintaining occupancy
• Provide reports for other community stakeholders such as probation officers and social workers as requested and outlined in current contracts held by the agency
  

People and Community Development  

• Build and maintain program participant relationships
• Develop partnerships with any program or agency that offers services not offered at Pillsbury United Communities
• Develop partnerships with services providers and human services agencies
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with LEAD partners, including Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff, Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis Prosecutor’s office
• Provide advocacy and support for participants within the criminal justice system including court appearances and written communication
• Advocate for the participant with a wide variety of other service providers
• Enter client data into Salesforce or other assigned portal within 48 hours of service
• Complete data tracking through the use of The Bridge to Self Sufficiency Tool and update results at required intervals.
  

Financial Management 

• Use resources and supplies responsibly
• Record time and expenses accurately
• Keep proof of receipt when distributing incentives to clients in the program

Required Skills/Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or demonstrably equivalent knowledge gained through alternative courses of study and life experience
• Two years of experience minimum working communities of color and other marginalized communities
• Experience serving populations impacted by extreme poverty, behavioral health conditions, and mental illness from a harm reduction model of care
• Experience supporting and advocating for participants within the criminal justice system including court appearances and written communication
• Ability to work in trauma-informed ways with individuals struggling with mental health, homelessness, chemical dependency, and other risk factors
• Able to build positive, nonjudgmental relationships with community
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• Open to working in low-income neighborhoods with diverse community
• Understanding of appropriate personal boundaries and professional ethics
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends
• Self-motivating with excellent time management and accountability skills

Desired Attributes 

• Passion for what’s possible
• Clear sense of personal purpose
• Commitment to social justice
• Creative problem-solver
• Skilled communicator and motivator