Jeria is a Case Manager on the Coordinated Entry Navigation Services team.
Q: Describe a typical day as a Case Manager on the CENS team.
A: Reaching out to homeless clients to check in and see if there is anything I can do to help in preparing them for housing. This might include assisting with obtaining documentation, looking into resources for shelter and/or food. Connecting with other providers.
Q: How did your career path lead you to your current position at Guild?
A: I started out as a Program Assistant on the Jade Team where I was able to help on the back end of things and see how case managers interacted and assisted with clients and with that experience and note-taking in clinical meetings – I was able to learn from my peers and plan to aim for movement within the company that would give me the experience needed to become a Case Manager at Guild.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I enjoy the client interaction and the feeling as though I am helping to make an impact on people’s lives.
Q: What is something you’ve learned throughout your time at Guild?
A: I have learned that communication is key at Guild. I feel like the support at Guild is big, as the support and advice I have received thus far from my peers and supervisors has been amazing and has helped me continue to thrive.
Q: How does your team collaborate with other teams at Guild?
A: CENS receives referrals from the county and while helping to prepare clients for housing, we also refer out to other teams within depending upon the client’s need for additional services. We collaborate with staff from different programs regarding services and resources via email and/ or meetings/clinical meetings.
Q: Why is CENS important?
A: CENS is important as I feel as though the work we do is similar to “connecting dots” for our clients.
We want to assist in any way that we can to help that homeless population number decrease in the counties we serve. We want our clients to trust that we are working towards getting them off of the streets permanently and jump-starting more stability in their lives.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: In my free time I like to spend time and catch up with family and friends – keeping my son happy and active is important to me along with maintaining a social outlet.