Program Coordinator for Homeless Outreach Substance Abuse and Mental Health

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 Coordinator

35 hours per week / $30.00 - $31.00 per hour

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

Summary: Provides leadership and coordination to the E6 Multidisciplinary Team. The E6 project is a program designed to coordinate the outreach, engagement, and linkage/referral services for individuals experiencing homelessness in SPA 1. The position will collaborate with the E6 Outreach Team as they work with individuals experiencing homelessness with possible serious mental illness, substance abuse disorders and chronic physical health conditions 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).

• Provides general leadership oversight for all weekend E6 staff.
• Assists Director and or Program Manager with recruiting, hiring, supervising, training, and directs, evaluates, rewards, disciplines and terminates assigned staff in accordance with organizational policy and applicable laws and regulations.
• Ensures that all E6 services are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individual’s needs based on their cultural identity.
• Acts as the point of contact throughout the day to address participant crises and emergent needs.
• Completes assessments regarding substance abuse/use status.
• Develops appropriate plan of care and interventions.
• Assists in the collection of health information.
• Makes independent assessments to identify individual needs as necessary and initiate communication and collaboration within the integrated team and with referral sources to provide the resources to meet those needs.
• Utilizes evidence-based practices in service delivery such as motivational interviewing, harm reduction, supported employment and education, intensive case management, housing first, and critical time intervention.
• Uses evidence-based practices to provide services to include: Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, and SOAR (preparing disability claims).
• Maintains, oversees and monitors the collection of service coordination outcome data and maintains all records and documentation (progress notes) and reports needed for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
• Facilitates staff provisions to provide outreach and engagement efforts which include informing individuals who are homeless about E6 program services and establishing trusting relationships through an intensive, sustained and consistent process.
• Provides clear documentation for terminating outreach efforts when the person is eligible for E6 to include the reason for terminating, the number of contacts made to engage the person, and the number of attempts to locate individuals who became missing during outreach.
• Facilitates enrollments to individuals into the E6 program.
• Facilitates case management as defined by E6 which includes assisting individuals with referrals and confirming attainment of the referrals to one or more of the following based on the person’s need/desire: community mental health services, substance abuse/use treatment, primary health services, income assistance/benefits establishment, supported employment and education; providing transportation, medication support, crisis intervention, life skills training, substance abuse treatment and housing services.
• Participates in team, staff and community meetings.
• Participates as an active member of the site management team, quality improvement, safety committee or other leadership teams as needed or assigned.
• Participates actively in site training efforts.
• Provides timely information and feedback to team leader or site director with regard to emergent staff, team or member issues.
• Maintains all records and documentation as required for program compliance and accountability in accordance with MHALA standards and funding source requirements.
  
  

Other Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years providing psychosocial rehab related services to a disabled population.
• Demonstrated ability to provide supervision and leadership to diverse staff who possess a wide range skills, abilities and professional competencies.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Flexible work schedule to include some nights, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to relate positively and enthusiastically to a wide variety of people.
• All billing and supporting documentation shall be entered into MHALA’s EHR (electronic health record system) within 24 hours from the date of service delivery.
• All required data collection documents (as applicable to your program: MORS, Determinants, KEC, Los Angeles Homeless Authority’s HMIS, etc.) are submitted on or before due date.
• Driving with current class C driver’s license, a vehicle for transportation, proof of valid automobile insurance, the ability to be insured by MHALA liability insurance are conditions of employment
• TB clearance and re-testing every year are conditions of 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