Job Abstract

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.

Personal Service Coordinator / ASW MFT APCC

35 hours per week / $29.50 - $33.50 per hour

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

There are many benefits of being an ASW, AMFT, or APCC with MHALA such as:

• Hybrid work schedule
• Clinical supervision hours
• MHALA covering cost of important trainings and seminars, such as the 3-day DMH sponsored Dialectical Behavior Therapy training
• Paid time off to attend those trainings, and also the days leading up to LCSW/LMFT/LPCC licensure exam

Summary: Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, is to provide high quality wrap around services in a professional and responsible way. Targets individuals experiencing homelessness with serious mental illness, substance abuse disorders and may include chronic physical health conditions. Is a part of the housing programs and whose scope of practice includes making a DSM-5 diagnosis, using motivational interviewing and harm reduction treatment modalities.

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 Agencys operations. MHALA is an equal employer opportunity and service provider.

• Responsible for completing diagnostic assessments and providing crisis intervention, counseling/ therapy and other interventions that promote mental health wellness and recovery
• Provides a welcoming environment for individuals enrolled into the housing programs; shares responsibility and collaborates with team members to set-up, maintain, monitor, correct and enhance all day-to-day aspects of the housing programs functioning
• Provides collateral supports which includes contacting family members and/or significant other with the individuals authorization to discuss how they can assist the person with their care/ treatment goals
• Provide timely information and feedback to the Program Manager with regard to emergent staff, team or participant issues
• Participate as a member of the safety committee.
• Participate in some meetings with community partners.
• Ensures that all services are culturally and linguistically respectful of and responsive to the individuals needs based on their cultural identity
• Uses evidence-based practices to provide services to include: Critical Time Intervention, Motivational Interviewing, Housing First, Harm Reduction, and SOAR (preparing disability claims)
• Facilitate enrollments of individuals into the housing programs, find and secure units and referrals to other programs
• Facilitate case management which includes assisting individuals with referrals and confirming attainment of the referrals to one or more of the following based on the persons need/desire: community mental health service, primary health services, income assistance/benefits establishment, supported employment and education; provide transportation, medication support, crisis intervention, life skills training, substance abuse treatment and housing services
• Implementation of SOAR across MHALA
• Provides individual therapy/counseling which includes using short-term solution and trauma focused interventions to assist individuals to manage symptoms, understand problematic behaviors and to develop and use more adaptive behaviors
• Meet required outcomes as designated by grants
• Oversee and monitor members individual and group activities both inside the program and out in the community as well as transporting members when appropriate. Devise and implement strategies for outreach to members who tend to have a difficult engaging and/or building an ongoing relationship.
• Provide individual and group coaching, counseling mentoring instruction, training feedback and positive reinforcement for members in areas such as money management, grooming and hygiene, public transportation and other independent living skills

Other position requirements:

• Current registration with Board of Behavioral Science as ASW/ACSW
• Masters degree in Social Work (MSW)
• Minimum 1 year experience in rehabilitation services or housing services for disabled and/or homeless persons.
• Must have good basic English writing skills, good basic computer skills and be highly organized
• Must function well in a team-oriented approach to member services
• Proficient in computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Knowledge of federal, state and local housing subsidy programs and the sources available for them
• 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 drivers 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 continued employment
• COVID vaccination is required for this position. Accommodations will be considered upon proof of a legal exemption.