Bilingual Case Manager_JOR

National Youth Advocate Program•Greenville, SC

About The Position

The Case Manager for La Jornada is responsible for completing and submitting timely assessments and service plans, uploading required documents to ORR’s UC Portal, and maintaining comprehensive case files in compliance with ORR policy and NYAP’s CQI Team requirements. The role provides case management and family reunification services to children in care, supports safe and timely release from ORR care, and coordinates with youth, families, sponsors, foster caregivers, program staff, attorneys, and other stakeholders. The Case Manager must maintain a flexible, organized, and efficient work schedule and may work extended hours, weekends, evenings, and on-call shifts. Travel may be required for trainings, conferences, and transporting youth within the United States. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a social-service-related field, fluency in English and Spanish, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while working with youth and families facing behavioral health, immigration, educational, legal, developmental, and socioeconomic challenges. The Case Manager must maintain required documentation and files, participate in training and program meetings, and ensure proper youth supervision and a safe work environment. Physical demands include prolonged sitting and standing, repetitive motion, occasional lifting up to 25 pounds, and frequent travel and driving.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Counseling, or another social service field.
Fluency in Spanish and English; bilingual English/Spanish ability is required.
Excellent case management, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
Critical assessment and analysis skills.
Ability to remain motivated, organized, flexible, and efficient while navigating multiple service priorities and multitasking under stress.
Sincere commitment to serving and advocating for youth and families.
Willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule, including on-call schedules, weekends, evenings, and non-traditional hours.
Cleared Level II background check from the appropriate entity.
Ability to obtain Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) certification and First Aid/CPR certification.
Ability to supervise clients indoors and outdoors as needed.
Proficiency with desktop and laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and word-processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily liability coverage.
At least 21 years of age, a valid state driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle, and a good driving record.
Ability to work eight UC cases with minimal supervision; caseload may increase depending on sponsor category and other factors.
Ability to travel as needed for training, conferences, and youth transportation within the United States.
Ability to adapt to change and remain objective, professional, tolerant, and respectful of others’ ideas and actions.
Ability and willingness to advocate for children facing behavioral health, immigration, educational, legal, developmental, and socioeconomic challenges.
Physical ability to perform manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio tasks; repetitive motions; prolonged sitting and standing; sustained visual and mental work; and occasional lifting, bending, pulling, and carrying up to 25 pounds.
Ability to travel frequently and drive while seated for extended periods, with frequency varying according to program demands.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience working with children and adolescents or in youth services; volunteer and internship experience counts.

Responsibilities

Complete case management assessments within ORR’s required timeframes and prepare service plans.
Conduct on-site admission and initial intake interviews with youth, gathering family and potential sponsor information and establishing age.
Interview sponsors, family members, and family friends to assess a sponsor’s ability to care for a minor.
Serve as the UC case point of contact for assigned Federal Field Specialists, Case Coordinators, and Contract Field Specialists.
Prepare for and lead pre-staffing processes with multidisciplinary professionals, and attend staffings with ORR stakeholders as needed.
Coordinate with local pro bono attorneys to provide timely Know Your Rights presentations and legal screenings.
Collaborate with program administration and clinical, medical, and educational staff on case management practices.
Help ensure youth have a safe environment and are released safely and promptly under ORR MAP Section 2, including completing sponsor vetting actions such as address searches, obtaining relationship documentation, income verification, and background checks.
Document actions and contacts with youth, sponsors, and stakeholders in required progress notes.
Complete reunification packets and Release Requests for initial review by the Lead Case Manager or program designee; submit completed packets and appropriate referrals, including home studies and post-release services.
Provide weekly face-to-face updates to youth and telephonic updates to family members or sponsors, and ensure two weekly telephone contacts with family, primary caregivers, or sponsors.
Facilitate calls between minors and approved family members or caregivers, and facilitate attorney-client contact when requested by youth.
Coordinate weekly treatment team meetings with representatives from program departments.
Build and maintain relationships with assigned foster parents, attend meetings with them, and serve as the program liaison with foster caregivers.
Drive children to program services, court appointments, attorney visits, other required appointments, and reunification destinations as needed.
Coordinate case management and family reunification services, including active participation in discharge planning.
Participate in documenting safety plans and post-18 age-out plans.
Oversee or participate in reporting significant incidents according to policies and procedures.
Maintain UC electronic and physical files, including document uploads to UC Portal and Evolve.
Attend organizational, departmental, and program meetings and required training.
Assist with youth evacuation when needed because of inclement weather, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events.
Maintain a safe, clean, hazard-free work area; follow applicable ORR, CDC, and state COVID-19 protocols; and ensure proper supervision of youth.
Perform other duties and essential tasks as assigned.