Case Manager /Education Coordinator, MHP

Ada Brand•Chicago, IL

55d•$50,000 - $55,000

About The Position

The Ada S. McKinley Behavioral Health & Clinical Services (BHCS) Program is seeking a mission-driven Case Manager – Education Coordinator to bridge behavioral health care and educational success for youth and young adults engaged in our Crisis Stabilization Program and related services. This role is responsible for initiating and coordinating school-based supports—including requests for Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Section 504 accommodation plans—and for developing, implementing, and evaluating educational strategies that promote mental wellness, school engagement, and behavioral health prevention. The Education Coordinator designs and delivers educational programs, workshops, and resource toolkits for students, families, school partners, and community stakeholders; works to reduce stigma surrounding mental health and substance use; and connects individuals with appropriate behavioral health and special education services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in education, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Special Education, School Counseling, or related human services field (required).
Minimum of one to two years in case management, school-based services, special education coordination, behavioral health, or youth-serving programs.
Working knowledge of IEP and Section 504 processes, educational eligibility, accommodation planning, and collaborative school-family meetings.
Ability to translate behavioral health needs into practical classroom supports and learning accommodations.
Strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills across clinical, family, and school systems.
Culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approach.
Solid organizational skills: tracking deadlines, documentation, and multiple school district processes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic health record documentation.
Background check and clearance required.
Employment is contingent upon State of Illinois clearance related to child abuse/neglect history, personal background review, fingerprinting, and criminal background check.
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Experience supporting IEP/504 processes strongly preferred.
Experience with youth experiencing serious emotional disturbance (SED), co-occurring conditions, or re-entry from psychiatric or residential levels of care is a plus.
Familiarity with Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) guidelines helpful.
Educational, paraprofessional, or behavioral health credential in Illinois preferred (e.g., paraprofessional educator endorsement, youth mental health certification, or related credential).
Fluency in Spanish or other languages is a plus.

Responsibilities

Contact and collaborate with students’ schools (district reps, special education coordinators, counselors) to initiate, request evaluation for, or support revision of IEPs and 504 Plans in alignment with student needs and legal timelines.
Obtain and manage required releases of information; track status of IEP/504 referrals, evaluations, eligibility meetings, and implementation milestones.
Serve as the educational liaison between BHCS clinical teams, families, and school personnel to ensure accommodations support behavioral stabilization and treatment goals.
Develop, implement, and evaluate educational and mental wellness curricula, including classroom presentations, small-group workshops, transition/re-entry supports, and caregiver education.
Provide psychoeducation on mental health, substance use, trauma, and stigma reduction to students, families, and school staff.
Support school reintegration and return-to-learn/return-to-school planning following crisis hospitalization, stabilization stay, or intensive services.
Monitor academic engagement indicators (attendance trends, classroom participation feedback, disciplinary actions) and communicate relevant concerns to the treatment team.
Coordinate referrals to behavioral health, special education, tutoring, wraparound, or community supports; ensure warm handoffs and follow-up.
Maintain timely, accurate documentation in the electronic health record and (when authorized) education tracking logs.
Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning, case reviews, and crisis staffing; elevate urgent education-related barriers that impact safety or stabilization.
Provide data for program quality improvement, contract compliance, and outcome reporting related to educational engagement and behavioral health prevention.
Visit schools, community sites, and program locations within the service region as needed.