She’s known among the social services agencies in Kansas City as the case manager of death.It’s a title Jan Brown, the intensive case manager for the Kansas City Rescue Mission, is proud to hold. What Brown does is more of a calling than an actual occupation.When a homeless person who has been a resident of the mission is near death or has died, Brown springs into action, handling everything from estates to contacting their next of kin. She has a network of contacts in agencies ranging from the Social Security Administration to funeral homes.Since January 2008, Brown’s job has kept her extremely busy. She’s personally handled the end-of-life affairs for 13 homeless people. Her job is emotionally draining but extremely satisfying.“In the beginning, I thought what a horrible name to be known as ‘the case manager of death,’ ” Brown said. “But I soon realized that’s my ministry. I’m just grateful that I’m able to do what I do. It’s hard enough to die. But to die and know you don’t have a home is tough.”Brown moved into her current role after a rash of deaths of homeless people around three years ago.“There wasn’t anybody back then doing anything for them,” Brown said. “After working with one client, word got out on the street that this is what I do. Suddenly, I started getting more and more clients.”After clients meet with a case manager at Kansas City Rescue Mission, the homeless who are severely ill and those who need help with Social Security and veterans benefits are referred to Brown.“I usually only get involved with people who are near the end of life,” Brown said.Some clients, such as a homeless Vietnam veteran who died on Jan. 6, tug at her heartstrings.After coming to the mission, he was transferred to Veterans Hospital for surgery on his leg. That’s when doctors discovered he had cancer. The vet blamed the Agent Orange he came into contact with during the war.That’s when Brown took over, advocating for his disability. She even cleaned up his outstanding traffic tickets that stood in the way of receiving benefits. She also contacted his family and made sure he made it to all his appointments at local hospitals.Before he died, Brown managed to arrange a visit with the man’s daughter who lived in Springfield. Most important, Brown got his estate in order.“When he died, we had him cremated and sent him back to his family,” Brown said. “His daughter just called me recently. I had been wrangling to get his benefits transferred to her. All of the benefits for her education just went through.”Currently, Brown has a client who is dying from a large tumor found on his kidney and another close to his heart. Doctors removed one of his kidneys and the tumor. After a brain tumor was discovered, it was removed through surgery.“His family called me Friday and told me his remaining kidney has a large tumor on it,” Brown said. “He’s not expected to live. So he’ll probably be my next one.”Part of Brown’s role is to find the appropriate care that person requires. The Kansas City Rescue Mission isn’t a nursing home.“It’s important to be able to find a place where their medical problems are dealt with,” Brown said. “We try to find them an end-of-life place to go where they get the same compassion and treatment that you and I would get. For me, it’s a spiritual thing. I don’t want any of my clients dying homeless. I don’t want any of my clients dying out in front of the mission on the street.”Brown concedes that being the parent of a disabled child makes her more aggressive in advocating for clients. She’s used to pushing the status quo to get things done for her son. Brown performs noble work. I’m not sure what kind of recognition she should receive. But for taking care of Kansas City’s homeless community in their hour of need, Brown, the case manager of death, is someone who truly deserves the city’s appreciation.

Posted on Wed, Apr. 01, 2009 10:15 PM

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A last kindness to the homeless

By STEVE PENN

The Kansas City Star

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She’s known among the social services agencies in Kansas City as the case manager of death.

It’s a title Jan Brown, the intensive case manager for the Kansas City Rescue Mission, is proud to hold. What Brown does is more of a calling than an actual occupation.

When a homeless person who has been a resident of the mission is near death or has died, Brown springs into action, handling everything from estates to contacting their next of kin. She has a network of contacts in agencies ranging from the Social Security Administration to funeral homes.

Since January 2008, Brown’s job has kept her extremely busy. She’s personally handled the end-of-life affairs for 13 homeless people. Her job is emotionally draining but extremely satisfying.

“In the beginning, I thought what a horrible name to be known as ‘the case manager of death,’ ” Brown said. “But I soon realized that’s my ministry. I’m just grateful that I’m able to do what I do. It’s hard enough to die. But to die and know you don’t have a home is tough.”

Brown moved into her current role after a rash of deaths of homeless people around three years ago.

“There wasn’t anybody back then doing anything for them,” Brown said. “After working with one client, word got out on the street that this is what I do. Suddenly, I started getting more and more clients.”

After clients meet with a case manager at Kansas City Rescue Mission, the homeless who are severely ill and those who need help with Social Security and veterans benefits are referred to Brown.

“I usually only get involved with people who are near the end of life,” Brown said.

Some clients, such as a homeless Vietnam veteran who died on Jan. 6, tug at her heartstrings.

After coming to the mission, he was transferred to Veterans Hospital for surgery on his leg. That’s when doctors discovered he had cancer. The vet blamed the Agent Orange he came into contact with during the war.

That’s when Brown took over, advocating for his disability. She even cleaned up his outstanding traffic tickets that stood in the way of receiving benefits. She also contacted his family and made sure he made it to all his appointments at local hospitals.

Before he died, Brown managed to arrange a visit with the man’s daughter who lived in Springfield. Most important, Brown got his estate in order.

“When he died, we had him cremated and sent him back to his family,” Brown said. “His daughter just called me recently. I had been wrangling to get his benefits transferred to her. All of the benefits for her education just went through.”

Currently, Brown has a client who is dying from a large tumor found on his kidney and another close to his heart. Doctors removed one of his kidneys and the tumor. After a brain tumor was discovered, it was removed through surgery.

“His family called me Friday and told me his remaining kidney has a large tumor on it,” Brown said. “He’s not expected to live. So he’ll probably be my next one.”

Part of Brown’s role is to find the appropriate care that person requires. The Kansas City Rescue Mission isn’t a nursing home.

“It’s important to be able to find a place where their medical problems are dealt with,” Brown said. “We try to find them an end-of-life place to go where they get the same compassion and treatment that you and I would get. For me, it’s a spiritual thing. I don’t want any of my clients dying homeless. I don’t want any of my clients dying out in front of the mission on the street.”

Brown concedes that being the parent of a disabled child makes her more aggressive in advocating for clients. She’s used to pushing the status quo to get things done for her son. Brown performs noble work. I’m not sure what kind of recognition she should receive. But for taking care of Kansas City’s homeless community in their hour of need, Brown, the case manager of death, is someone who truly deserves the city’s appreciation.

To reach Steve Penn, call 816-234-4417 or send e-mail to spenn@kcstar.com.

Posted on Wed, Apr. 01, 2009 10:15 PM

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