Scatter-Site Program Manager at Miriam's Kitchen

Description

ABOUT MIRIAM’S KITCHEN

Miriam’s Kitchen works to end chronic homelessness in Washington, DC. We advocate for permanent supportive housing as a long-term solution, while meeting short-term needs by providing healthy meals and high-quality social services to individuals who are chronically homeless.

Permanent Supportive Housing Program Summary: 

The Permanent Supportive Housing Program provides support services to chronically homeless individuals in permanent supportive housing to help residents maintain stable housing and achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency and quality of life possible. Support services are delivered in a Housing First model that emphasizes resident choice, flexible and voluntary services in the community, a recovery orientation, and community integration. Holistic support services are driven by residents’ strengths and goals, and focus on linking residents—many of whom have complex barriers to housing such as mental illness, substance abuse, trauma, and long-term health problems – to needed community services and resources. 

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Scatter-Site Program Manager is a member of the PSH Senior Managers Team. The Scatter-Site Program Manager, in collaboration with the Clinical Supervisor, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the scatter-site portfolio of the Permanent Supportive Housing Program at Miriam’s Kitchen (290 clients). The position will supervise up to 4 case managers, manage external reporting and other program requirements, and manage crisis situations that arise. In collaboration with the Senior Director, the Clinical Supervisor, and other PSH managers, the position will create an environment for program staff with clear goals, a focus on excellent service delivery, adequate training, and a supportive culture that promotes effective teamwork; ensure that PSH Program meets and exceeds quality standards and all compliance requirements; and collaborate with other providers and policymakers to meet the needs of homeless individuals in the District. 

The position will provide community-based direct support services to a primary caseload of up to 5 residents who were formerly chronically homeless, and support the Senior Director in the day-to-day administrative management of the department. The Scatter-Site Program Manager will work together with the team to provide support services to chronically homeless individuals in permanent supportive housing to help residents maintain stable housing and achieve the highest level of self-sufficiency and quality of life possible.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership

• Ensure that program decisions comply with the philosophy, values, procedures, and policies of the agency and the Housing First approach.
• Be a leader who energizes the organization about the vision, promotes Miriam’s Kitchen’s values, and facilitates communication across the organization. Support strong organizational culture and health.
• Support other senior managers in the day-to-day administrative management of the department, with the particular responsibility for the program’s scatter-site portfolio.
• Supervise Case Managers as determined by the Senior Director of Housing. Provide weekly supervision to each supervisee along with in-the-field support as needed. Act as a point of support and guidance for client concerns of the Case Managers on the team.
• Crisis management: act as a main point of escalation to manage program issues and complex client and staff emergencies as they arise.
• Actively look for ways for Miriam’s Kitchen to expand or change PSH program to better meet residents’ needs. 
• Support the Senior Director in creating an environment for program staff with clear goals, a focus on strategic results, adequate training, and a supportive culture that promotes effective teamwork. Lead and contribute to efforts to maintain a positive team dynamic with a focus on equity.

Program Administration and Management

• Support the PSH program for the entire scatter-site PSH portfolio (300 clients): act as the primary lead in Miriam’s Kitchen’s daily relationship with DHS regarding all scatter-site program matters.
• Manage program documentation, intakes, and assessments; support the Assistant Director of Housing, Program Administration and the Clinical Supervisor in ensuring the completeness, integrity, and currency of client documentation.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director and other senior managers in the administrative functions of the department, including: attendance at regular required meetings with DHS; monthly reporting requirements; representing Miriam’s Kitchen at pertinent workgroups across the city on an as-needed basis; representing the Housing department as needed within the agency; assisting in the hiring and interview processes for staff; participating in program planning, goal setting and data collection.
• Act as a lead for our PSH program strategy in situational and systemic problem-solving with partners including DHS, DCHA, and landlords. Act as a main point of contact in escalations as they occur.
• Provide outreach, case management, crisis support, advocacy, and other needed services to residents, primarily in the community and residents’ homes, but in any setting necessary, including streets, shelters, jails, hospitals, program office, etc.
• Act as a liaison with landlords and other community stakeholders to promote the success of residents and the PSH program.
• Collaborate with other service providers in the community to ensure that residents are receiving high-quality, effective services to meet their needs.
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation (e.g. case notes, incident reports, home visit reports, monthly and quarterly reports). Maintain appropriate confidentiality of resident’s information and records.
• Participate actively in regular supervision, team meetings, and other all-staff meetings and events. Attend professional trainings and conferences as needed.
• All other duties as assigned.

Direct Clinical Work

• Develop trusting relationships with Permanent Supportive Housing residents. Engage residents to collaboratively develop goals and service plans for housing, mental health, substance abuse, health, education, income, employment, and other goal areas. Support residents’ work toward goals through individually tailored services and by facilitating effective connections to community services and resources. Examples of support services include successful tenancy problem-solving, independent living skill-building, connection to public benefits and employment assistance, money management support, and connection to medical, mental health, and substance abuse services. 
• Assist in writing biopsychosocial assessments as needed for clients, and support team members with applications for ACT teams and other increased mental health services, social security benefits, and other services. 
• Provide outreach, case management, crisis support, advocacy, and other needed services to residents, primarily in the community and residents’ homes, but in any setting necessary, including streets, shelters, jails, hospitals, program office, etc.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling or other related social service/science disciplines AND two years of experience providing case management services, or a masters’ degree in these fields with appropriate licensure as applicable.  

Experience and Skills:

• At least one year of experience in program management and providing direct supervision is required.
• Two years of experience providing direct case management services is required.
• Enthusiastic about Housing First approach.
• Experience working in services for homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, or HIV/AIDS preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred.
• Ability to work as a member of a culturally diverse team.
• Strong communication skills.
• Strong sense of boundaries. 
• Valid driver’s license and ownership of a motor vehicle.
• Flexibility and openness to working in a demanding program services environment with residents from diverse racial, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrate empathy and flexibility in responding to residents’ needs and requests.

Working Conditions:

• Valid driver’s license and ownership of a motor vehicle and able to provide proof of valid insurance.
• Must be able to navigate stairs on a regular basis.