Job Title: Care Specialist – Elder Justice Program
Reports To: Associate VP of Shelter Programs in partnership with Milwaukee County (Community Intervention and Mass Care Specialist)
FLSA Status: Full time, Non-exempt
Schedule: 1st shift
About Guest House of Milwaukee, the largest housing program provider in Wisconsin:
Guest House of Milwaukee, the largest housing program provider in Wisconsin, has been dedicated to addressing homelessness since 1982. Originally a short-term emergency shelter, we now offer a comprehensive range of onsite and community-based programs tailored to the evolving needs of individuals facing housing insecurity. As we enter an exciting growth phase, our commitment to client-centered solutions remains steadfast. With over 40 years of experience, our dedicated staff and partners work to create lasting change for our most vulnerable community members. We envision a Greater Milwaukee that prioritizes care and tackles the root causes of homelessness.
Summary:
The Care Specialist is responsible for supporting the Elder Justice Program (Milwaukee County) which operates 24/7/365. The Elder Justice Program supports single males, aged 60 and up who have experienced some form of abuse or neglect. Support for these clients includes meeting the immediate needs of these guests. The Care Specialist serves as the primary liaison between guests, internal case managers, and other departments to effectively communicate and document guest needs, events, incidents, and concerns. This position requires a high level of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and de-escalation skills, while requiring minimal supervision.
We care about the well-being of our staff by providing:
- 11 paid holidays + your birthday paid!
- 3 weeks of vacation with 4 weeks of vacation after 1 year
- Paid mental health days
- Paid sick time
- FREE disability insurance
- FREE life insurance
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- We are an eligible employer for Public Student Loan Forgiveness
- Growth & Development opportunities!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Independently coordinate comprehensive care for guests, ensuring regular contact to assess their needs, monitor progress, and make independent decisions regarding referrals to ADRC and other relevant services.
- Proactively connect guests to relevant services and providers, ensuring seamless integration of care, and maintaining ongoing communication with service providers to track client progress and resolve any service gaps.
- Oversee and manage seamless transitions between care services, taking a leadership role in ensuring that guests experience minimal disruption in their care and that their evolving needs are continuously met.
- Support guests in developing and leading the creation of their support team, empowering them to take ownership of their relationships with family, case management, community resources, and benefits.
- Maintain and oversee regular contact with guests’ support team members, ensuring consistent communication, timely updates, and collaborative efforts to adjust care plans as needed.
- Independently monitor and update support plans, ensuring that all services and interventions remain aligned with the guest’s evolving needs and that all parties are well-informed.
- Empower guests to advocate for themselves by providing guidance, training, and support in navigating complex systems, while assisting them in achieving the highest possible level of independence.
- Apply advanced strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive care coordination to clients, ensuring each person’s background and individual needs are met with the highest standard of care and respect.
- Actively engage in individual and group supervision sessions, providing feedback and seeking guidance when needed to support professional development and case management best practices.
- Ensure all required case notes, treatment plans, and clinical records are meticulously maintained, reflecting independent decision-making and the progress of each guest.
- Independently report and document incidents, taking the lead on follow-up actions and ensuring that all relevant parties are informed and that appropriate interventions are implemented.
- Up to 25% of this position involves Direct Service Shelter Staff duties, focusing on supporting the intake process, maintaining comprehensive client documentation, and coordinating with other departments. Care Specialists will actively engage in supporting shelter operations while maintaining focus on client care and autonomy.
- Other duties as assigned by the Associate VP of Shelter Programs
Qualifications:
- Proven experience working in human services environments, with a strong background in working with diverse populations, including individuals who have experienced homelessness, elder abuse, and those with complex mental health and substance use issues.
- Extensive experience working with adults facing severe and persistent mental illness, substance abuse, and complex trauma, with an ability to provide advanced care coordination and therapeutic support.
- Excellent communication skills both oral and written and strong interpersonal skills
- Able to communicate, collaborate and work effectively with a diverse group of individuals – including clients, families, co-workers and other providers.
- Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Professional workplace appearance and conduct.
- Strong clinical writing and documentation skills.
- Highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently analyze complex client cases and make informed, evidence-based decisions.
- Exceptional organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage complex cases, multiple priorities, and deadlines independently.
Training and Experience:
- Bachelor Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or related human services field from an accredited school required; Master’s Degree preferred
- 3+ years of experience providing case-management services to adults with significant mental health and/or substance use concerns preferred
- Advanced training in Crisis Prevention and Intervention, with the ability to independently manage high-risk situations and make critical decisions under pressure.
- Advanced training in Motivational Interviewing and other client-centered counseling approaches, with a focus on empowering clients to make independent, informed decisions.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, case management software (e.g., Mission Tracker, Clarity), and other electronic health record (EHR) systems, with the ability to utilize technology to track client progress and outcomes.
- First Aid training and CPR certification a plus
Competencies:
- Managing change
- Written and verbal communication
- Forward-thinking/Strategic
- Initiative
- Results-oriented
- Flexibility
- Advanced critical thinking
- Advanced crisis management
- Leadership
This position description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the employee. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of duties or responsibilities required of the employee. The employee may occasionally lift, push or pull up to 10 pounds. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.