Housing Case Manager

**Position Title**: Housing Case Manager/Forensic Case Manager

**Hours**:35 hours/week

**Wage Grid**: $23.50 - $25.50)

**Reports to**: Housing Manager/Forensic Program Manager

**Nanaimo Region John Howard Society **is one of six self-managed John Howard Societies in BC (62 across Canada) who share the same mission to respond to local need. This mission is: Effective, Just and Humane responses to the causes and consequences of the justice system that fosters a safe and supported community. In Nanaimo, our programs include: addiction treatment, restorative practices, community reintegration, employment, community health and well-being. The Nanaimo Region John Howard Society is an innovation-based organization in our responses to homelessness, addiction, and interaction with the justice system and we seek to more completely address the underlying needs and causes. The Society has a competitive pay grid and benefits program. Oversight of the professional staff is by a volunteer elected Board of Directors.

**Program Description**:
The Forensic Housing and Outreach Program provides housing and outreach supports to individuals who are dealing with a severe mental illness and who have offended. The program serves those in the Nanaimo area, as well as Courtenay, Comox, Campbell River, and Port Alberni. All files are referred by the Nanaimo Forensic Outpatient Clinic and by Forensic Psychiatric Services in the North Island. The program is voluntary and collaborative in nature, combining the client, the community and a holistic outlook. We provide safe and supportive housing and help facilitate our client's transition back into the community on an independent basis. We encourage healthy lifestyle choices and social responsibility.

The Housing Team is an amalgamation of numerous housing programs operating collaboratively. These programs are designed to break the cycle of poverty, homelessness, and criminal behavior by aiding participants in finding and maintaining safe and affordable housing. Using strength based and client-driven model, we work together with participants in determining and achieving their goals.

**Summary of Position**:
The Housing/Forensics Case Manager is a hybrid position encompassing two similar roles with differences in demographics served. The Case Manager’s primary role is to build positive, therapeutic relationships with participants, including individuals who are referred by Forensic Psychiatric Services, to promote participant self-determination using a biopsychosocial model. The Case Manager will visit participants in their homes and in the community, provide wrap around supports and engage with participants where they are at in setting and achieving their goals. Individuals referred to the Forensics stream have a persistent and severe mental illness and active involvement in the criminal justice system or Review Board Status. Challenges faced by the individuals can include a Mental Health and Addictions, daily living skills, housing stability, recidivism, community engagement and other social determinants of health.

The work will vary depending on the particular needs of the service recipient; and based on referral goals. The Case Manager is an integral part of the Housing Team and works collaboratively with other case managers and management staff to effectively carry out program deliverables.

Under the supervision and direction of the Forensic Program Manager and Housing Manager, this position participates in program development, implementation and evaluation strategies and acts as an identified contact for other professionals.

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
1. Assess eligibility and prioritization for housing supports.

2. Engage in participant driven goal setting and case management using a biopsychosocial model.

3. Ensure that the program is conducted in a manner that promotes and ensures the safety of all clients and the community.

4. Conduct an intake assessment with each client in order to assess the needs of the client and to determine appropriate intervention in collaboration with the Forensics case manager.

5. Participate, as part of an interdisciplinary team, in client centered treatment planning.

6. Mentor individuals to encourage pro-social behaviors.

7. Role model behavioral expectations of dress, daily work habits, interpersonal communication, positive attitudes, temperament, emotional self-management and adherence to facility rules.

8. Assist clients with daily living needs to include housing, clothing, nutrition and related supports.

9. Work with clients one-on-one and in small group settings (where appropriate) to develop life skills, work skills and social supports.

10. Complete all reporting procedures including, client case notes, HIFIS database entries, and other reports as required.

11. Ensure that the ongoing mental health, physical health and legal issues of clients are addressed.

12. Collaborate with appropriate community resources to