Juvenile Justice Care Coordinator

Maryville Academy•Des Plaines, IL

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Juvenile Justice Care Coordinator provides intensive care coordination, case management, advocacy, and service linkage for youth and families involved with the juvenile justice system. The Care Coordinator works collaboratively with youth, parents/caregivers, probation officers, courts, schools, behavioral health providers, DCFS, substance use treatment providers, community organizations, and other system partners. The position is responsible for developing individualized service plans, coordinating services across multiple systems, monitoring progress, identifying barriers to successful community adjustment, and advocating for services that support youth safety, stability, rehabilitation, and successful transition back into the community. The ideal candidate is experienced in working with adolescents and families, understands the juvenile justice system, and can build effective relationships with youth who may have complex behavioral health, educational, family, substance use, or social-service needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, criminal justice, human services, sociology, or a related field.
Two years of experience working with adolescents, families, juvenile justice, behavioral health, child welfare, or related human services preferred.
Knowledge of juvenile justice, probation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community-based services.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with youth and families experiencing multiple challenges.
Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to maintain accurate and confidential records.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic case-management/EHR systems.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
Hold a valid Illinois Driver's License (in compliance with CFS 671)
Maintain an active caseload consistent with program requirements.
Complete required assessments and service plans within established timelines.
Maintain regular contact with assigned youth and families.
Complete documentation within required timeframes.
Maintain strong communication with referral and treatment partners.
Demonstrate measurable progress toward youth service-plan goals.
Reduce barriers to treatment and community services.
Promote successful school, family, and community functioning.
Support reduced justice-system involvement and successful community stabilization.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, human services, or related field.
Experience working directly with juvenile probation or juvenile court.
Experience with evidence-based or trauma-informed youth programs.
Bilingual English/Spanish or English/Polish.
Experience working with Medicaid-funded behavioral health programs.
Experience with Illinois child-serving systems and community-based care coordination.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive assessments of youth and family needs.
Develop individualized care coordination/service plans with the youth and family.
Coordinate behavioral health, substance use, educational, medical, housing, employment, mentoring, and other needed services.
Maintain regular contact with youth and families to monitor progress.
Coordinate services among multiple providers and systems.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case staffing.
Make referrals and follow up to ensure services are accessed.
Identify gaps in services and develop strategies to address barriers.
Coordinate with probation officers, juvenile court personnel, attorneys, and other justice-system partners.
Participate in court-related meetings and case conferences when appropriate.
Monitor compliance with service-related court or probation requirements.
Assist youth in understanding expectations associated with probation and community-based services.
Advocate for appropriate community-based interventions when appropriate.
Maintain professional communication with justice-system partners while protecting client confidentiality.
Assist youth and families with successful transition following detention, residential placement, or other out-of-home settings.
Establish trusting, culturally responsive relationships with youth and families.
Engage youth in identifying their strengths, goals, and priorities.
Use trauma-informed and youth-centered approaches.
Provide education to families regarding available community resources.
Help families navigate complex social-service and behavioral health systems.
Identify family strengths and support development of protective factors.
Provide linkage to appropriate emergency or clinical resources when needed.
Coordinate with therapists, psychiatrists, substance use providers, case managers, schools, and other providers.
Monitor participation in recommended services.
Support continuity of care following hospitalization, detention, residential treatment, or other placement.
Assist with referrals for mental health and substance use assessments.
Coordinate transportation and other practical supports when available.
Identify changes in functioning or risk and communicate concerns to appropriate clinical staff.
Coordinate with schools, alternative schools, educational programs, and other educational partners.
Support school enrollment, attendance, academic engagement, and successful school transitions.
Assist youth in accessing tutoring, GED programs, vocational training, internships, and employment services.
Help youth develop educational and career goals.
Maintain timely and accurate case records.
Document contacts, referrals, assessments, service plans, progress, and outcomes.
Complete required reports and documentation in accordance with organizational, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
Maintain confidentiality of youth and family information.
Participate in audits, quality-assurance activities, and program evaluations.
Enter required information into electronic health record and/or case-management systems.
Develop relationships with community-based organizations serving youth and families.
Participate in community meetings, juvenile justice initiatives, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Educate community partners about available services.
Assist with development of referral networks.
Represent the organization professionally at community events and meetings.