Case Manager, Citywide Assessment Team

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

13h•Onsite

About The Position

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning. The Office for Students with Disabilities is responsible for student evaluations, creating and monitoring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and working with schools, staff, and families to fulfill these plans toward greater student development and achievement. OSD uses a data-driven approach to best support the needs of each individual student and does so in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Reporting to the Citywide Assessment Team Manager, the citywide Case Manager is responsible for facilitating the entire evaluation process for all non-attending students in the city of Chicago in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This process includes consent/ assessment planning meetings, evaluations, triennial evaluations, eligibility determinations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and 504 plans as needed for children aged 2.6 - 22 years of age. Non-attending students include children aging out of Early Intervention and transitioning to Early Childhood, as well as students referred from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Child Find Screenings, and students who are parentally placed in Private Schools or who are homeschooled and reside in the City of Chicago.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, counseling, or related field from an accredited college or university is required
Valid teaching license/Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate endorsement(s) (e.g., Early Childhood Specialist Approval) required
Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) and/or General Administrative endorsement required
Minimum of four (4) years experience in school or educational setting as a teacher and/or case manager required
Experience working with students and families of culturally diverse backgrounds
Experience with Transition planning through age 21
Certification to conduct Child Find Screenings is required by the end of the school year
Expert knowledge of state and federal timelines and procedures
Strong oral and written communication skills
Detail-oriented and organized
Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task between assessments/meetings, and respond to requests based upon priority and complexity
Professional ability with time management (e.,g., reporting to work on time)
Knowledge of CPS Early Childhood Special Education programs
Deep understanding of school-aged and EC IEP/504 Plan development
Expert with group facilitation skills
Knowledge of CPS operating systems including, but not limited to: SSM, Aspen, etc.
Proficient in Google Docs, Microsoft Office Applications
Ability to collaborate and be a creative problem solver and team player
Ability to have shared ownership of work and expected outcomes
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, team members, students, parents, and advocates
Ability to promote and encourage parental involvement and participation.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with multiple stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred
Early childhood experience preferred
Experience with Due Process cases is preferred
ESL Endorsement preferred
Bilingual preferred

Responsibilities

Facilitates all special education team meetings including Consent/Assessment Planning, Eligibility, IEP conferences, and 504 plans in accordance with state and federal-mandated timelines and procedures
Completes all necessary follow-up documents, including but not limited to, School-Assignment Request Forms and Service Plan requests, IEP document
Provides written contributions, including but not limited to, the following sections of the IEP: Section 7: General Considerations, Accommodations & Modifications, Provide SPED support by Case Manager, Specialized Instruction: Develops appropriate annual goals and benchmarks addressing areas that require educational supports and services, including PLAAFP
Works closely with CAT Administrator and Team Lead to ensure an effective and seamless evaluation process for all families
Reviews documentation with the Team to determine and indicate referral decisions in SSM; Communicates referral decision to Private School lead, SESS or CAT Administrator to be sent to the parent; Creates and sends all necessary electronic documents in SSM to parents in a timely manner (same day or within 24 hours of the evaluation)
Ensures all SSM records (e.g., IEP/504 plan) are completed, thoroughly reviewed, and finalized in a timely manner to meet compliance requirements (e.g. EI to EC transition timelines)
Completes all Early Intervention Tracking Forms and ECOs in a timely manner when warranted
Supports completion of multiple cases and/or other administrative duties (e.g, review of files/requests for evaluations) as directed by CAT Administrator on a daily basis; (minimum of 2 cases per day); Interviews, communicates and works cooperatively with parent / guardian, school staff, advocates, and other members of the Team to assist in creating data-driven IEPs
Tracks returning cases in order to reschedule appointments and ensure that outstanding cases are completed
Creates Notices of Conferences and completes Referrals as needed
As necessary, provides developmental screenings and results for children birth – 5 at various regional locations
Responds professionally to all parent and/or advocate questions and concerns regarding EC and Private Schools
Maneuvers contentious situations with professionalism. Collaborates with colleagues and CAT Manager to solve challenging situations and provide solutions
Continues to develop professionally via CPS-offered PDs and independently
Other duties as assigned.