Community Case Manager

Youth & Opportunity United•Evanston, IL

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Y.O.U. is an Evanston-based non-profit dedicated to providing academic, social, and emotional support to youth to close the opportunity gap and prepare them for post-secondary and life success. The organization offers free, holistic, out-of-school support, including afterschool and summer learning programs, mental health counseling, and experiential learning. The Community Case Manager will support the implementation of community-wide runaway and homeless youth programs, delivering comprehensive, community-based services for youth (ages 11–22) to help them achieve housing stability. This role utilizes a trauma-informed lens to develop, facilitate, and oversee program activities and community partnerships. The position also provides support to families and youth in Y.O.U.’s Out of School Time programs and individual/family therapy. The Community Case Manager is a full-time position reporting to the Director of Clinical and Outreach Services.

Requirements

Associates Degree in social services
At least three years of relevant experience working with runaway and homeless youth, including development and implementation of programming related to case management, life skills, and/or housing displacement
At least three years of experience cultivating, leading, and maintaining a coalition of partners in support of effective programming
Familiarity of and experience with working in youth-facing programming within northern/suburban Cook County or Chicago
Demonstrated strong project management skills in directing complex, multifaceted projects that result in measurable successes and growth in program quality and capacity
Experience in designing and delivering adult learning experiences focused on runaway and homeless youth-related topics
Excellent communication skills, ability to build relationships of mutual trust and respect with youth, colleagues, school professionals, and community members
Demonstrated experience in and passion for youth services
Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for Y.O.U.'s mission
Must live within an hour driving distance from Y.O.U.’s headquarters at 1911 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Must have a car, valid driver's license, and auto insurance that meets or exceeds Y.O.U. agency standards for liability coverage
Must have a current, valid legal authorization to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social services
Familiarity and experience working with youth in Evanston
Experience in program evaluation and improvement
Experience in performing in a highly collaborative setting
Proficient in using technology (i.e. Ecornerstone and HMIS) as a management and reporting tool
Bilingual Spanish/English is a plus

Responsibilities

Provide youth in Y.O.U. Out-of-School Time programs and the broader Evanston community access to critical community-based resources in housing, education, employment, and healthcare.
Develop and manage relationships with community partners to link youth to immediate needs such as housing, healthcare, employment, education, and social supports.
Ensure monthly RHY data entry and up-to-date records for service tracking and grant compliance.
Maintain comprehensive case management documentation.
Manage a caseload of 20-25 individual clients at a time through CCBYS and BCP as referred by the OST and Clinical departments, as well as clients age 11-22 from community partners.
Build positive, age-appropriate relationships with youth and their families.
Provide support in Y.O.U. after school programs.
Engage in community presence at key locations including Community Events, Robert Crown Community Center, McGaw YMCA, and other partner organizations.
Participate in the Housing Crisis Response Team on pager rotation serving runaway, homeless, and/or locked out youth ages 11-17 on weekdays (2pm-6pm) as well as periodic nights and weekends with additional compensation.
Serve as a Backup Supervisor to the Housing Crisis Response Team, as assigned.
Engage in monthly check-ins with After School Program Managers for Y.O.U. Middle and High school programs, identifying youth/families in need of additional support, and providing updates on supports to help the youth successfully participate in Y.O.U. programs.
Help identify emerging issues faced by RHY populations in the Evanston area and incorporate necessary program design changes to ensure Y.O.U. RHY strategy addresses needs.
Partner with community organizations on initiatives that assist youth on post-secondary and life success, such as job preparation, financial literacy, and college exposure.
Obtain and assimilate best practices related to restorative justice, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction strategies with RHY populations.
Attend annual RHY conference to share, gain, and integrate best practices for disconnected youth across the country, as assigned.
Build, strengthen, and manage community partnerships that increase youth access to Housing, Employment, Education, and Healthcare.
Maintain accurate, complete, and up-to-date client records including case notes, treatment planning, and data entry for all grants through necessary databases.
Complete 3/6/9-month follow-ups regarding RHY to assess long-term housing stability.