Case Manager

Classification: Case Manager
Supervisor: YouthBuild Director
Position Status: Non-Exempt
Supervision Exercised: None
Revision Date: Match 2023

Position Summary/Objectives
Under the general direction of the YouthBuild Director, the Case Manager enhances the effectiveness of the YouthBuild program by operating as a liaison between YouthBuild Participants and the expected program outcomes. The Case Manager - Generalist is responsible for helping people who are in difficult situations with advice, figure out what kind of help they need, help them find the services they need, create plans for treatment or recovery, work with other health and human service providers, and keep tabs on client's progress with treatment plan. The position requires a combination of administrative/office duties and field/outreach work. The work requires confidentiality, mature independent judgment, tact, discretion, and the ability to coordinate diverse opportunities for at-risk youth.

 Major Duties and Responsibilities
The Case Manager provides intensive case management services to eligible clients, meeting participants at least weekly. The Case Manager is the primary point of contact to coordinate services and care for assigned clients. The Case Manager handles a caseload of individuals in need of a wide variety of human services resources and provides the full range of services available, as described below:  

• Assign and monitor cases: Review daily referrals and screenings of clients.
• Designates households for intake and ensures all supporting documents are verified.
• Provides information and referrals for callers and walk-in clients.
• Conducts comprehensive screenings and assessments with clients to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop a case plan.
• Develops support systems to meet clients and family needs; coordinates and facilitates move-in activities, rental negotiations, and service referrals as required.
• May make home and field visits.
• Monitors cases on a regular basis to determine quality and effectiveness of services provided.
• Review cases with YouthBuild Director and Case Management Team.
• Audit case file on a regular basis for completeness and accuracy.
• Conducts crisis intervention as necessary.
• Assists case managers by identifying and coordinating a variety of available services necessary for clients and families to maintain/obtain self-sufficiency and family stabilization.
• Refers clients to available community providers for therapeutic, social, educational, and medical resources.
• Provides support to case managers and clients through ongoing case conferencing, counseling, and advocacy.
• Conducts comprehensive file reviews and assessment of data collected to ensure all necessary documentation is collected by case managers for service eligibility purposes.
• Assure all assets and file documents are maintained and secure for all clients.
• Counsels during regular case conferences with participants using Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, and Seeking Safety; consults with the service team, monitors the progress of clients on the case plan, assists clients to meet the agreed-upon goals.
• Provide service linkages and support systems to ensure identified needs are met, coordinate with outside service providers.
• Acts as advocate for client before judicial, community, social service, and administrative bodies as needed; facilitates support groups and client participation as appropriate.
• Provide street outreach, engagement, and crisis stabilization.
• Develops, performs, and assists with workshops pertaining to client's needs.
• Participates and assists with outreach events.
• Other duties as required and is subject to change at any time.

Skills and Qualifications

1. At least four years of counseling or crisis intervention experience with young adults.
2. Bachelor's degree in counseling, psychology, or related field, or equivalent experience working with young people.
3. Strong commitment to helping young people succeed in an innovative training program to reorient their lives and nurture their leadership skills.
4. Ability to establish rapport and relate sensitively to a multiracial and multicultural group of young people.
5. Knowledge of human service, health, court, and criminal justice systems' programs, regulations, and procedures.
6. Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; ability to relate to a wide range of issues, people, and institutions.
7. Understanding of issues facing young people in the community where the program is located.
8. Excellent public speaking, listening, and written communication skills.
9. Sense of humor and nonjudgmental attitude.
10. Willingness to teach young people about service systems and decision-making processes.
11. Willingness to learn from young people.
12. Ability to work as part of a team.
13. Knowledge of American history and the history of the racial and ethnic groups participating in YouthBuild, along with an ability to apply that knowledge in work with young people.

** EXPERIENCE IN FUNDRAISING AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IS A PLUS! 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Generally works in an office environment.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work in a deadline-focused and fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening test administered by HACC's designated provider. 
• Valid Illinois Driver's license and be insurable under the agency's commercial insurance policy.