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case western reserve university

OHIO SAMI CCOE

 
 

SAMI TEAM


CASE MANAGER / OUTREACH

A case manager is primarily responsible for outreach services to consumers and caregivers. Outreach involves identifying potential clients in the community setting, as well as assessing immediate daily living needs, clinical needs, and other service needs. Outreach also involves intervening during crisis events and providing links to a variety of supportive services (see below). A case manager engages consumers and caregivers in their homes and in other community settings, like coffee shops, hospitals, jails, and shelters.

 

A case manager fulfills a multifaceted role that combines astute interpersonal and group interaction skills. He or she must be equipped with clinical skills and administrative skills, as well as a thorough knowledge of mental health and substance abuse issues and services that are available in the local community.

 

This section of the Web site has been designed as a general overview of the role of the case manger. The roles and responsibilities of case managers may differ in various regions of the State of Ohio.



TASKS

  • assess consumers for the presence and severity of mental illness and substance abuse
  • intervene to prevent a relapse to the use of alcohol and other drugs for actively recovering consumers
  • respond effectively to psychiatric symptoms
  • identify treatment goals with consumers and caregivers
  • coordinate integrated services through continuous communication with consumers, caregivers, and other service professionals
  • lead multiple family psychoeducational groups or programs
  • monitor medication use
  • support healthy activities of daily living (ADL)
  • assist consumer’s in managing their income
  • maintain case records
  • participate in team meetings
  • consult with family caregivers regarding their needs
  • consult with SAMI team leader


KNOWLEDGE

  • mental health symptoms and progression of illness
  • substance abuse symptoms and progression of illness
  • recovery model philosophy
  • stage-wise treatment
  • basic psychopharmacology
  • team development and dynamics
  • insurance regulations
  • housing resources
  • confidentiality laws
  • interventions that emphasize an integrated biopsychosocial approach
  • understand the specialized language (jargon) of medical and social service professionals


SKILLS

  • assess mental health and substance abuse
  • recognize the signs and symptoms of a relapse to substance abuse and/or psychiatric episode
  • translate the specialized language (jargon) of medical and social service professionals into a language that consumers and caregivers can understand
  • make effective use of motivational interviewing techniques (including reflective listening)
  • able to work as a member of a team
  • able to interact with professionals from other disciplines


SUPPORTIVE SERVICES

In SAMI programs that are based on the New Hampshire-Dartmouth DDIT model, a case manager typically helps consumers and caregivers gain access to the following services:

  • crisis intervention (mobile or hospital)
  • short-term inpatient stabilization
  • medical services (including detoxification)
  • addiction services
  • employment services
  • family support groups
  • 12 Step/community based group meetings
  • housing services (shelters, independent, transitional, and group home)
  • financial management (including social security guidelines)
  • drop-in clubhouse center
  • criminal justice system liaisons (courts, probation)