Homeless Engagement Case Manager

Inspiration Corporation•Chicago, IL

1d•$52,453 - $56,640

About The Position

The Homeless Engagement Case Manager supports participants experiencing or at risk of homelessness as they work toward housing stability, permanent housing, and other personal goals. The role connects participants with basic needs, health care, behavioral health care, substance use treatment, documents, benefits, employment support, and other resources. Services are voluntary, participant-driven, strengths-based, and trauma-informed, with an emphasis on dignity, respect, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing. The case manager provides daytime drop-in services, assesses eligibility and service needs, develops goal-based service plans, and offers advocacy, crisis intervention, coaching, referrals, and follow-up. The position coordinates with internal programs and outside providers, maintains community relationships, and may visit participants’ apartments. It also provides timely and accurate case notes, tracking, and reports; participates in program audits and evaluation; supports program development and volunteer engagement; and helps the Homeless Engagement Program Manager meet annual program goals. The role maintains standard office hours and may involve occasional evening, weekend, and early-morning meetings or functions, as well as participant meals in the café.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience required.
Ability to work independently and think critically.
Active listening and professional verbal and written communication skills.
Crisis de-escalation skills.
Proficiency in Windows operating environments and Microsoft Office.
Strong computer skills, especially Excel and electronic record-keeping.
Ability to sit, talk, and hear; frequent walking; occasional standing; and occasional lifting or moving of up to 20 pounds.
Standard office hours, with attendance at occasional evening, weekend, and early-morning meetings and functions as required.

Nice To Haves

Graduate-level studies; a degree in Social Work or a related field is preferred.
Two years of case-management experience in a nonprofit setting with homeless or impoverished populations, and/or significant life experience.
Experience with electronic record-keeping.
Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care, HUD, and municipal and state housing laws.
Experience reporting on government contracts.
Bilingual Spanish.
Personal vehicle, clean driving history, and ability to transport clients and travel city-wide.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate the organization’s Core Values and provide services professionally, efficiently, and respectfully.
Work with other departments to address participant needs and attend agency and program meetings.
Engage and build relationships with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, supporting housing stability, transitions to permanent housing, and other goals.
Provide daytime drop-in services to eligible participants and coordinate with the Café Meals program, After Care, and other internal resources.
Assess prospective participants’ eligibility and enroll eligible participants in a timely manner.
Assess participant service needs and develop goal-based service plans that support wellness and self-sufficiency.
Identify and explain available internal and external services, and help participants access relevant resources.
Provide advocacy, crisis intervention, problem-solving, coaching, case management, and other support for participants’ goals and well-being.
Maintain regular contact with participants, including apartment visits, and build relationships with community stakeholders.
Use culturally sensitive, respectful, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approaches that promote safety, mitigate risks, and support participants’ goals.
Help participants find shelter, programs, or long-term housing; assist with apartment applications and Coordinated Entry; advocate for housing quality and stability; and help obtain furniture and household supplies.
Assess barriers to housing stability and goal achievement, and provide strategies, coaching, support, and referrals related to issues such as substance use, mental illness, budgeting, life skills, tenancy, and communication.
Maintain participant case notes and complete required tracking and reports in a timely manner.
Provide household members with resources, referrals, and follow-up, and advocate for needed services.
Work with colleagues to obtain participant feedback as needed.
Prepare for and participate in program audits.
Suggest new or modified services, policies, and protocols to senior staff in alignment with participant needs and agency strategy.
Contribute to development and evaluation of the homeless engagement program, identify potential partner agencies, and help increase participant access to services.
Represent the agency with internal and external stakeholders at events and committees as needed.
Support the Homeless Engagement Program Manager in meeting or exceeding annual program goals.
Complete required training and professional development, including Statewide Referral Network and Housing Resource Specialist Training within six months.
Support volunteer engagement and other program efforts as needed.