Program Implementation Expert Interim Housing Assessment Team Director-Heluna Health
Program Implementation Expert (Interim Housing Assessment Team Director)
If hired for this position, you will be required to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to your start date, or have a valid religious or medical reason qualifying you for an exemption (that may or may not require accommodation)
SUMMARY
Housing for Health (HFH) is a program office within Health Services Administration, a division under the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS). HFH was created and put into implementation in support of the Los Angeles County Homeless Initiative recommendations in response to and in support of the County’s effort to address and combat homelessness in the communities residing within Los Angeles County. Our organization follows a hybrid work structure where employees work both remotely and from the office, as needed.
According to the 2022 Greater Los Angeles Point-In-Time Homeless Count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), there are 69,144 people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Los Angeles County. Of this number, 48,548 are unsheltered on any given night, marking Los Angeles County with the unfortunate distinction of having the largest unsheltered homeless population in the nation. Although significant efforts and resources have been allocated to the development of permanent affordable housing solutions, including Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), there is no question that interim housing continues to play a significant role in addressing the immediate and future needs of unsheltered PEH. To this end, there has been a significant investment in interim housing by Los Angeles County and many partnering cities over the last five years including interim housing developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic such as the State-funded Project Roomkey sites. Currently, the interim housing inventory in Los Angeles County totals approximately 220 sites and 14,376 beds. Another 11 sites are also in the pipeline that would make available an additional 1,037 beds to support PEH. While interim housing sites are funded by a collection of public and private dollars and other partners and available to any person experiencing homelessness, the reality is that PEH often have a variety of complex needs which limit their ability to successfully access and/or maintain residency in these settings despite their desperate need for shelter. For example, interim housing sites are traditionally staffed by homeless service providers who are ill-equipped to serve individuals with more complex medical needs (e.g., colostomy bags, wound care), mental health conditions (e.g., psychotic spectrum disorders) and/or substance use disorders (e.g., methamphetamine or opioid addiction) as well as individuals who need support with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, eating and dressing and/or independent activities of daily living (IADLs) such as managing medication and finances. This was highlighted in the 2020 preliminary report conducted by LAHSA entitled Higher Level of Care Needs Among People Experiencing Homelessness at Los Angeles County Project Roomkey Sites which found that a subset of individuals with complex health and/or mental health conditions which significantly impaired their ability to engage in ADLs/IADLs resulting in them being recommended for a higher level of care by site operators and LAHSA site coordinators because the interim providers did not have adequate funding or staff trained to provide the needed supports which put the individuals at risk of returning to homelessness.
Accordingly, as part of the system of care in Los Angeles County, DMH and the Departments of Health Services (DHS) and Public Health (DPH) have been intentional about designing, implementing and partnering in programs that can address the wide range of needs that PEH may experience. This has included providing specialized psychiatric street outreach through DMH’s Homeless Outreach & Mobile Engagement (HOME) teams as well as providing integrated specialized supportive services once someone is in permanent housing through DMH’s Housing Supportive Services Program, DHS’ Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) Program and DPH Substance Abuse Prevention and Control’s (SAPC) Client Engagement and Navigation Services (CENS) Program. However, the County currently lacks the dedicated resources needed to be able to respond to requests for field-based, on-demand and proactive health, mental health and substance use services in interim housing settings for individuals living with symptoms and functional impairments associated with severe mental illness, chronic health conditions and/or substance addiction. Given the prevalence of health, mental health and substance use disorders among PEH, it is critical to provide interim housing residents with on-site access to health, mental health and substance use services and supports would fill an important gap in the homeless services system and offer assistance that is imperative to supporting a successful interim housing experience.
HHIP
Using Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) funding from Managed Care Organizations (e.g. LA Care, Health Net, etc.) and MHSA dollars, DHS, DMH, and DPH partners are coming together to create regional, field-based, multidisciplinary teams that are specifically dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who are living in interim housing in an effort to address current gaps in behavioral health and physical health services, support interim housing stability and transition to permanent housing, and prevent a return to homelessness. The teams will serve all eight Service Areas in Los Angeles County and will be comprised of staff from DMH, DPH SAPC and DHS Housing for Health (HFH) to ensure the full spectrum of client needs can be addressed. These teams will be called the Interim Housing Assessment and Action Team (IHAAT) and will be comprised of both medical and behavioral health staff to provide direct services to high risk clients as well as provide support to interim housing staff as they prioritize and expedite social and housing navigation services for these high risk clients.
DMH Innovations funding will be used to support the behavioral health component of this effort including the provision of on-site specialty mental health and SUD care and supports. Behavioral health services will include crisis response, outreach, triage, screening/assessment, medication support, crisis intervention, linkage to longitudinal care and consultation. Substance use educational groups will also be held at the interim housing locations that will offer residents an overview of SUDs and the treatment system as well as a more specific curriculum targeting those at risk of SUDs focused on overdose and relapse prevention, harm reduction and recognizing the health consequences of substance use and connection to mental health.
DHS HFH will utilize HHIP dollars to build out the medical component of this effort. Medical staff (including mid-level providers, nurses, occupational therapists, and community health workers) will complete a comprehensive assessment of the client within the physical health, life negotiation, and ADL/iADL domains; refer clients for immediate/urgent care as well as establish connections with longitudinal primary and SUD care; assess functional status and arrange for in-home care giver (IHCG) services in the interim housing settings until In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) can be established in permanent residence; arrange for transfer to HFH-sponsored recuperative care or stabilization housing beds, as appropriate; arrange for transfer to HFH-sponsored enhanced residential care (ERC) beds, as appropriate; work with shelter staff to prioritize social services/community resource navigation for these high risk clients as well as prioritize housing navigation services to support expedited placement in permanent supportive housing (PSH).
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
Three years of experience as a medical director or high-level program lead. Experience overseeing the work of a multi-disciplinary team in assessing and providing services to people experiencing homelessness. Experience working with county and community partners in creating and implementing innovative programs.
- Experience working on projects where problem, opportunity, and solution may be unclear.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to express technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong project management and relationship building skills.
- Ability to learn quickly and adapt to shifting priorities.
- Comfort working with data systems and learning new data systems.
- Skill in conducting interviews and facilitating group meetings.
- Strong listening, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Knowledge of LA County programs that are designed to serve the underserved.
- A master’s degree in public health, public administration, health policy or a related field
HFH MEDICAL DIRECTOR DUTY STATEMENT
The DHS HFH Medical Director of the Interim Housing Assessment and Action Team (IHAAT Medical Director) is responsible for creating, implementing, overseeing, and evaluating the medical service component of the IHAT team directives. The IHAAT Medical Director will work closely with her counterparts in the Departments of Mental Health and Public Health to ensure that the affected clients receive a well-integrated, multidisciplinary assessment and immediate-term stabilization plan.
- Oversee the creation of all IHAAT medical service policies/procedures as well as their implementation, effective execution, and evaluation; conduct this work in coordination with program directors at the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Public Health to assure a multidisciplinary/cross-agency effort to address clients’ needs holistically
- Facilitate internal and external meetings to improve program execution, strengthen collaborations, and ensure sustainability of IHAAT efforts
- Be a thought partner in creating, implementing, improving, and evaluating IHAAT operations within the medical service branch as well as within the behavioral services and housing navigation branches
- Develop protocols, policies and procedures for the IHAA medical team
- Hire and manage IHAA medical team members in collaboration with other HFH and DHS hiring managers, including interviewing, onboarding, training, and performance management
- Train IHAA medical team members in these protocols: ensure that clinical staff have the proper training and tools to successfully and safely manage day-to-day operations
- Oversee high level operations of the medical IHAT work as well as oversee day-to-day operations
- Provide clinical supervision to clinical staff performing IHAA activities in the field
- Procure resources, both supplies and personnel, to manage IHAA operations effectively and safely in the field
- Conduct site visits with the IHAAT to support operations and perform quality assurance activities
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Support the interim housing sites in identifying, referring, and supporting clients through the assessment process as well as in executing the action plan to procure necessary resources and referrals for the clients (eg ihcg placement, reasonable accommodations/assistive device procurement and use, accompaniment to medical and social service appointments)
- Develop tool kits and training/technical assistance materials for IH facility staff
- Work with Interim Housing (IH) facilities to ensure that they have adequate staff and supplies to support the IHAAT initiatives
- Assist IH staff to through with appropriate IHAAT-related actions for their clients
- Manage communication with IH directors and staff
- Manages clinical personnel: including interviewing, onboarding, training, and performance management
- Ensure that IHAAT reports are created and communicated in a timely manner
- Is available on call to ensure adequate response to emergencies at shelters or with the Department of Public Health/Department of Mental Health or health plans
Scheduling:
Generally, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though it is not uncommon for individuals in this position to address issues at the site after-hours or on weekends.
Duration of Deployment:
At present, HHIP dollars will allow for five years full-time employment.
Ideal candidates are NP or PA with strong organization and management skills. They should have excellent writing skills, be quality-minded, diligent, creative, and empathic given the populations served within the medical shelters.
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
- A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
- Successful clearing through the Live Scan and the Health Clearance process with the County of Los Angeles.
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
- Exceptional written, oral, presentation and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of training and development
- Ability to work with a cross-functional team (system administrators, program managers, analysts, management)
- Ability to work in fast-paced environment with varying priorities
This position requires working closely with a wide range of staff throughout Community.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Stand Frequently
Walk Frequently
Sit Frequently
Handling / Fingering Occasionally
Reach Above Shoulder NA
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend NA
Lift / Carry NA
Push/Pull NA
See Constantly
Taste/ Smell NA
Not Applicable Not required for essential functions
Occasionally (0 – 2 hrs/day)
Frequently (2 – 5 hrs/day)
Constantly (5+ hrs/day)
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Heluna Health is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer that encourages minorities, women, veterans, and disabled to apply.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)