Program Manager for Project-Based Homeless Housing and Mental Health Services

Description

Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA) has been a pioneer in mental health service, advocacy, innovation, and training for nearly a century, working to ensure that people with mental health needs achieve meaningful, healthy lives in their communities.

MHALA is among the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. The agency supports over 19,000 low-income and no-income individuals annually with integrated services. MHALA achieves impact in the areas of mental and physical healthcare, homelessness and housing, supported employment, and wellness and financial services, with special programs for Veterans and transition-age youth.

MHALA also provides training programs for individuals joining the behavioral health workforce and for the larger community around mental health issues.

MHALA works to ensure that its employees are just as cared for as its members. Communication, collaboration, transparency and a healthy work/life balance are core components of the agency culture. Employees are encouraged to engage in self-care and can enjoy a 35-hour workweek.

MHALA fosters diversity at all levels of the organization. The agency promotes a team-oriented culture that offers opportunities for growth. We are proud to offer a competitive salary and full benefits package, including an employee assistance program, and generous paid time off.

Program Manager, Project-Based

35 hours per week 

$70,304 to $71,000 annualized 

(The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.)

Summary: Under the general supervision of the Director of Programs, oversees the daily operation of the Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) to clients eligible for permanent housing through the Department of Health Services’ Office of Diversion and Reentry (ODR) and Homeless Services and Housing (HSH) programs based on psychosocial rehabilitation model of treatment and services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: This is not an exhaustive task list, and other duties may be assigned as deemed appropriate or necessary by the supervisor or program director. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to any qualified person with a medical or psychiatric disability, providing it will not change the essential nature of the position, nor cause undue hardship to the Agency’s operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider. The agency will consider individuals with a criminal history in accordance with both the Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers (FCO) and the California Fair Chance Act (FCA).

• Responsible for the overall day-to-day activities, staff supervision, team support, management and coordination of the Work Order, and liaison with DHS and HSH provision of case management and/or mental health services in permanent supportive housing, including maintenance of a crisis response system.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, train, directs, evaluate, rewards, disciplines and terminates assigned staff in accordance with organizational policy and applicable laws and regulations. 
• Provides direct supervision and encourages professional growth for staff and interns.
• Provide timely information and feedback to direct of programs with regard to emergent staff, team or member issues and work with executive management to provide intervention to redirect staff and/or programs when objectives are not being met.
• Assist in overseeing and managing team budget and expenditures, making adequate and timely adjustments as needed. 
• Assist and support program documentation standards of staff in accordance with MHALA, LACHSH, LACDHS/ODR, County Contracted Providers, and funding source standards and requirements, and documents in Electronic Health record (EHR), including 24 hour turnaround documentation.
• Oversee and manage as custodian of petty cash.
• Assume leadership or delegate leadership of the day-to-day operations of the team as needed.
• Conduct team meetings to discuss the status of each person, allocate the work of the staff; conduct case consultations using interdisciplinary inter/intra-agency conferences and consultation to coordinate individual care.
• Provide timely information and feedback to director of programs with regard to emergent staff, team or participant issues.
• Developing and implementing quality control plans.
• Work closely with property management agency and other supportive services agencies, including case management and mental health providers to ensure clients’ needs are being met.
• Building collaborative partnerships.
• Responsible for developing policies and procedures and creating forms that facilitate the effective operation of intensive case management in permanent housing and delivery of high quality ICMS services.
• Act as the point of contact throughout the day to address participant crises and emergent needs. 
• Shall have full authority to act for contractor on all matters relating to the daily operation of the Work Order.
• Duties may include being reached on a twenty-four (24) hour per day basis, 365 days per year, by DHS if needed. 
• Participate in meetings with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and community partners such as local community homeless outreach teams and the Coordinated Entry System (CES) teams.
• Read, perform researches, attend classes, workshops or seminars and participate in other professional development activities in order to maintain and enhance personal and professional skills.

Other Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED + 2-years’ experience working with homeless individuals providing direct mental health or intensive case management services.
• Or Social Work/Mental Health Related Bachelor’s Degree + 1-year experience working with homeless individuals providing direct mental health or intensive case management services.
• Or Masters in Social Work or other similar field preferred + 1-year experience working with homeless individuals providing direct mental health or intensive case management services. Must function well in a team-oriented approach to client services.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Be able to learn and utilize Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) and Electronic Health Records Systems.
• Have expertise in the following areas: chronic homelessness, outreach and engagement strategies, intensive case management services, best practice models, mental health and substance use disorder services, crisis intervention, suicide assessment and prevention, affordable housing and public benefits applications, housing and landlord/tenant rights, eviction prevention, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with public and private housing providers, mental health consumers and their family members or client advocates, vendors and other staff.
• Ability to track and interpret complex data sets for the program services and budget.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Flexible work schedule to include some nights, weekends and holidays.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA’s liability insurance are conditions of employment
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of continued employment
• COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots are not currently required, however this may become a requirement in the future. Failure to abide by any agency policy, including those relating to a vaccine or booster shot may result in termination of employment
• Employment verification directly from three (3) past employers within the most recent 7-year period