Milo Bissett and Hilary Katz. Photos credit: Dave Hawks

By Hilary Katz and Milo Bissett

Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service recently announced it now offers case management services to the community. The National Association of Social Workers defines case management as “a process to plan, seek, advocate for and monitor services from different social services or health care organizations and staff on behalf of a client.” But Shalom Austin JFS leadership and staff members define case management as walking beside clients to provide support and comfort through the trials and tribulations everyone faces in life.

Shalom Austin JFS case management services are available to anyone who needs support advocating for themselves, navigating resources within Austin, or struggling with conflict or instability in their life. Types of services and referrals to resources that Shalom Austin JFS offers include mental health resources, COVID-19 information, employment assistance, financial coaching, basic needs items, immigration legal services, food assistance, federal and state benefits and housing and utilities.

Case management consists of four elements: intake, needs assessment, service planning, and monitoring and evaluation.

Intake is the first contact between a case manager and a client. During this meeting, the case manager gathers demographic information about the client and identifies any immediate needs. This is also when trust and relationship building starts. This is helpful so a case manager can determine if a client would benefit from Shalom Austin JFS services. Case managers are knowledgeable about local resources and can make referrals and connections to any outside resources on behalf of each client.

During the needs assessment step, a case manager takes an in-depth look at each client’s situation to identify client’s strengths and barriers to achieving stability and success. This is an ongoing process, as clients’ lives evolve over time. The case manager uses a strengths-based approach by supporting clients’ goals and focusing on the successes and attributes of each client. 

The service planning stage is when a case manager establishes specific goals and the actions that will be taken to meet those goals. Together, the client and the case manager create measurable steps to work toward specific, obtainable outcomes. This is a living document that will develop as each client’s priorities change.

The monitoring and evaluation stage supports the main goal in case management, to support each client in obtaining self-sufficiency and to empower each client. In order to monitor clients’ growth, the case manager meets each client regularly to continuously monitor their progress. Building trust and accountability is important for successfully obtaining outcomes. 

Case managers Hilary Katz and Milo Bissett joined Shalom Austin JFS in January 2020 and are looking forward to getting to know the Jewish community in the coming months.

For more information, visit shalomaustin.org/jfs, email jfs@shalomaustin.org, or call 512-250-1043.