The mission of the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) is to provide permanent supportive housing and a safe and healthy community fostering dignity, respect, and personal stability, and to advocate ending homelessness for women. Founded in 1978, DWC was the first organization to exclusively serve mentally ill and elderly homeless women on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. At the end of 2012, DWC expanded its housing and supportive services by opening a second home serving 48 additional women. Through both Residences, DWC provides permanent support housing to 119 women with special needs who were once without a home. Please visit www.downtownwomenscenter.org for more information.

Position Summary
The Downtown Women’s Center seeks a part-time LCSW to provide clinical consultation to HUD-VASH team, as well as crisis intervention, outreach, housing placement and individualized case management services to homeless veteran women. The HUD-VASH Clinician will be integral in providing clinical expertise, developing outreach plans to engage women in services, establish housing linkages and placement, and provide individualized case management through the implementation of an evidence-based practice called Critical Time Intervention (CTI). This position is part of an interdisciplinary team and provides innovative services that are at the forefront of homeless services. This position will be a part of many special projects including working with chronically homeless veteran women, implementing CTI, and helping women transition from permanent supportive housing to permanent housing. As a HUD-VASH Clinician, this position will help women achieve housing stability, receive needed mental health support, and establish enduring support systems.

Essential Functions
Provide Clinical Consultation to an interdisciplinary team including a clinical case manager, case manager, and housing specialist to ensure that Individual Service Plans provide highest level of care coordination for the Veteran.
Provide crisis intervention to assess for potential suicidality, harm to others, and grave disability when needed
Provide general crisis intervention when needed
Provide individual and group therapy to the Veterans
Be available for occasional after-hours consultation when needed
Provide individualized case management services to a case load of Veterans (on-site and field based); create individual service plans that ensure housing stability, address each clients’ needs and goals, identify and provide needed resources and referrals
Assist clients in securing housing, basic needs, medical and mental health services including substance abuse treatment when necessary, job training access, and public benefits where eligible
Process HUD-VASH voucher applications and maintain collaborative relationships with the VA, HACLA, and HACoLA
Develop outreach plan with Program Manager and conduct outreach to enroll women in services
Work to effectively meet clients’ needs and resolve individual barriers through follow-up, advocacy and collaboration with DWC staff and other community service providers
Maintain accurate and timely records of activities, case management notes, and services provided to each client
Provide supervision and guidance to interns and volunteers in the provision of services to clients
Develop and maintain relationships with clients, staff and local service providers, participate in community meetings pertaining to services benefitting clients, and serve as a representative of DWC at community events
Provide regular, written reports to the HUD VASH Program Manager and additional reports as assigned
Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization

Necessary Skills/Qualifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) required
Experience in working with people experiencing homelessness or a related social service field preferred
Experience with veterans preferred and knowledge of VA system services a plus
Excellent active listening and crisis intervention skills with ability to exercise and model good judgment
Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; proven ability to communicate with diverse audiences
Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities, including proficiency in balancing direct service responsibilities with effective record keeping
Strong administrative skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) required
HMIS or other database management preferred
Criminal background check and clearance required
Current valid California state driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle with good driving record
Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English a plus

Schedule & Salary: This is a part-time non-exempt position. 29 hours per week, with flexibility to work evenings and weekends when necessary. Salary range $35,000 – $38,000/annually, depending on qualifications & experience.

To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to HR@downtownwomenscenter.org. Please include “HUD-VASH Clinician” in the subject line of your email.