Community Connections Case Manager

Illinois Action For Children • Chicago, IL

280d • $47,000 - $50,000

About The Position

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 50 years. IAFC programs, services, and advocacy improve children and families' learning and life outcomes, including reducing poverty's effects. IAFC ensures that every child in Illinois - particularly those in need - has access to the necessary resources to succeed in school and life. Along with our mission, IAFC is committed to building and maintaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist culture. We are dedicated to this pledge through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and servicing our staff and clients. IAFC staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our essential work.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Family Studies, or a closely related field.
• Two years of experience as a Caseworker or similar position.
• Prior experience working with children and families.
• Experience working in a variety of settings with culturally diverse families and communities.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Good documentation skills.
• A strong sense of respect for confidentiality.
• Experience motivating others toward achieving goals.
• Willingness to work flexible hours evenings and some weekends.
• Skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Valid Driver's License required. Reliable personal transportation and insurance required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of North Lawndale families with chronically absent children.
• Schedule in-person contact with families at least twice a month.
• Highlight the importance of continuous attendance and early years in school.
• Listen to families and problem-solve to address challenges impacting attendance.
• Connect children and families to community resources and document referrals.
• Assist families in writing and reaching personal goals for increased self-sufficiency.
• Follow up with families and agencies to document services until the case is closed.
• Track all necessary data points related to case management services.
• Ensure confidentiality of information received and managed by IAFC.
• Working with team and partners, create systems to address barriers to attendance.
• Develop strategies to identify highest-need families as early as possible.
• Develop and maintain a community resources directory.
• Track obstacles to implementation for team reflection and continuous improvement.
• Work with the team to design responsive strategies to address emerging obstacles.
• Work with the school to develop and implement a Parent Attendance Committee.
• Support community systems building and Innovation Zone collaboration.
• Build ongoing relationships with North Lawndale families, children, and partners.
• Promote and connect children 0-5 to formal early learning programs.
• Coordinate field trips for North Lawndale families.
• Meet with community resource partners at least twice a month to facilitate referrals.
• Represent IAFC to external groups/organizations to promote the agency and increase utilization of services.
• Attend program-related events regularly.
• Execute workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities.

Benefits

• Health, dental and vision insurance plans with company contribution of 95% for single coverage.
• 401k with company match.
• Generous PTO - first year-23 days, the second year-28 days, the third year and on - 35 days.
• 11 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Flexible Spending Account.
• STD & LTD insurance.
• Company paid Life Insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Social Assistance
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree