YOUTH CASE MANAGER

Center on Halsted•Chicago, IL

1d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Case Manager will provide trauma-informed care and support to youth in the community who require assistance with personal, educational, behavioral, developmental, psychological, and emotional challenges. The Youth Case Manager will be responsible for coordinating, organizing, and developing tailored solutions to support the growth and well-being of youth participants, offering both long-term and short-term support as needed. The Youth Case Manager will provide on-site, crisis, and short-term case management to youth participants, with occasional support needed for adults. Case management entails locating resources for participants and making referrals to various support systems.

Requirements

Master's degree in social services or related field preferred.
LCSW preferred.
2+ years of social services experience preferred.
Knowledge of Chicago’s youth and adult homelessness networks and organizations such as All Chicago, Chicago Housing Authority, Ignite, Night Ministries, etc.
Experience with housing programs and tenant issues.
Experience working with vulnerable youth.
Committed to employing a Racial Equity lens in their work.
Highly positive and enthusiastic style capable of motivating others.
Demonstrated ability to work constructively with LGBTQ+ youth.
Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Knowledge of the following frameworks: Anti-Violence, Youth Positive Development, Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Client Centered Practices, Strengths-Based, LGBTQ-Affirming, and Racial Equity and Inclusion.
Microsoft Office proficiency is required.
Bilingual/bicultural desirable.
Resultsoriented–evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, wisdom, experience and judgement; ability to balance the delivery of programs against the realities of a budget; ability to solve problems.
Strategic vision and agility–ability to think strategically, anticipate future consequences and trends, and incorporate them into the organizational plan.
Action oriented– enjoys working hard and looks for challenges; able to act and react as necessary, even when limited information is available; not afraid to take charge of a situation.
Personal qualities-integrity, credibility, accountability and commitment to the mission of Center on Halsted.
Team oriented–Commitment to and experience with collective process and problem-solving.
Flexible–Can work in an ambiguous, fast-moving environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrates creative resourcefulness.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer sensitivity.

Responsibilities

Provide trauma-informed case management support to youth, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
Develop and implement individualized plans to address youth participants' personal, educational, behavioral, and emotional needs.
Offer crisis counseling, mediation, and conflict resolution when necessary.
Collaborate with external agencies and service providers to coordinate workshops, support services, and resources for youth.
Foster and maintain a safe and supportive space where youth can feel confident and empowered to work through complex life challenges.
Advocate for youth needs and help them build the skills and confidence to thrive.
Maintain regular communication with youth participants and their families, as well as external service providers. This also applies to youth who have exited and/or aged out of Y&FS programming.
Monitor and track progress, adjusting support plans as needed to ensure positive outcomes.
Contribute to reports and dashboards by providing monthly, quarterly, and annual program statistics.
Accurately collect and maintain data on clients served, including program activities. This includes data that supports various grants.
Provide monthly data on food pantry and gender affirming clothing closet.
Maintain follow-up data on youth exiting and/or aging out of programming.
Produce monthly coverage schedule for programming for staff and volunteers. Will work alongside Senior Director of Youth Programming to produce schedule.
Oversee volunteer onboarding and management.
Administer Diana Screen and observe volunteer actions while in program to ensure appropriateness.
Assist other youth staff with volunteer appreciation gathering events.
Provide additional support/supervision to interns when applicable.
Assist in overseeing monthly calendar and e-mail newsletters.
Work with Senior Director of Youth Programming to provide a monthly overview of youth programming to CEO and/or CPO.
Assist in maintaining data system for youth served.
Provide emotional and behavioral support for Trans Youth Group, Queer Youth Group, Drop-in, and Lavender Living youth, and other programs as assigned.
Document all services and incidents accurately, consistently, and in accordance with established timelines.
Provide case management, including administering intakes, risk assessments, and safety plans when applicable.
Conduct regular outreach for youth exiting and/or aging out of programming. Oversee all functions of the Big Siblings program.
Assist eligible participants with the leasing process, some of which include application procedures, screening criteria, rent levels, potential subsidies, security deposits and other costs of occupancy.
Provide referral information for supportive services.
Complete exit documents when clients terminate from the program.
Provide crisis counseling and mediation/conflict resolution for participants.
Support programming by participating in and facilitating programming as needed. Specifically Drop-in and Lavender Living programming.
Maintain relationships and effective communication with youth in the program.
Maintain regular communication with COH Youth & Family Services Programming team.
Attend weekly staff meetings, and staff trainings, as required.
Ensure smooth program operations.
Model and enforce youth space behaviors and norms.
Work as part of a team to provide services consistent within COH’s mission, vision, and values.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Establish sound working relationships with community leaders and organizations.
Represent the program and organization and serve as a leader to providers of services to youth and other relevant organizations and associations.
Assist Senior Director of Youth Programming in locating and inviting outside agencies to provide workshops and programming for Youth & Family Services programs.