Interim Housing Case Manager in Chicago, Illinois at Sarahs Circle

Position Title: Case Manager (Interim Housing)

Supervised by: Sr. Program Manager (Interim Housing)

Status: Full Time (Non-Exempt); On-site

Wage: $25.60 - $28.70 (approx. $50,000 - $56,000/year). If bilingual English/Spanish, employee is eligible for additional $1/hr. (approx. $1950/year) for providing Spanish translation services (must pass on-site language assessment).

*We offer staff free, on-the-clock clinical supervision hours towards LCSW certification. Participation is limited based on supervisor availability. Inquire if interested.*

Work Schedule: The typical work schedule is 9:00AM-5:00PM, Monday-Friday. Occasional flexibility may be needed to accommodate client meetings during evening or other non-standard hours.

About us: Sarah's Circle is a non-profit organization located in Uptown working to end homelessness for women in Chicago since 1979. We provide women a full continuum of services, including housing, life necessities, and supportive services, to help them permanently end their homelessness.

Summary

Case Managers provide intensive case management for clients seeking housing, which includes linkage and coordination with other agencies. When working in the program space, Case Managers are responsible for fostering a safe and trauma informed environment. They must also document services within a timely manner, including data entry in HMIS. Occasional assistance with program coverage and support of volunteers is required.

Responsibilities

Individual Services

• Provide case management services to all clients to support them in obtaining permanent housing, maintaining or increasing income, and increasing skills and resources that will improve housing retention and stability.
• Complete intake, assessments, service plans, and progress assessments. Enroll eligible clients into programs in a timely fashion.
• Collaboratively develop individual goal-based service plans with clients. Facilitate regular progress meetings and make amendments when needed.
• Provide encouragement and education toward clients’ individual goals via coaching, life skills instruction, resources, and referrals. Advocate on behalf of client to ensure they receive needed services.
• Identify strategies to address any short-term or chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might compromise achievement of goals
• Find apartments for clients when needed, establish and maintain relationships with landlords or property managers, and facilitate execution of leases.
• Assist participants with moving and obtaining furniture, home supplies, and other needs.
• Conduct Coordinated Entry Assessments for Sarah’s Circle clients as needed, adhering to minimum monthly assessments as determined by All Chicago.
• Participate in Housing Resource Specialist meetings hosted by All Chicago, and report information to members of the management team

Program Services

• Welcome clients: greet all individuals that enter the program; address immediate needs such as food, clothing, and medical attention
• Provide information: ensure clients understand the program overview and the grievance process; provide copies of client rights and responsibilities and the mission statement; assess for language barriers
• Respond to conflict and incidents by proactively engaging clients who are angry or in distress in de-escalation and redirection. Use nonjudgmental language, listen, and validate a wide range of emotions expressed by clients. Collaborate with clients to find solutions instead of immediately giving consequences.
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment: Occasional cleaning required when assisting clients who experience hoarding disorder, incontinence, etc Staff may come into contact with hazardous materials upon occasion including bodily fluids, spoiled foods, etc. Staff are provided with PPE and required to wear it while addressing such issues.
• Facilitate groups, as identified with supervisor
• Provide guidance to program staff, volunteers and new staff members as needed
• Assistance with program coverage is occasionally required

Administration

• Completes all required paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Input accurate, complete, and timely data for all clients into internal reports and HMIS, in accordance with timeliness standards established by funder.
• Prepare for and participate in program audits.

Other

• Attend staff meetings, training, supervisory meetings, and Sarah’s Circle events as instructed by supervisor
• Maintain current knowledge base by participating in educational or training opportunities, reading relevant publications, and maintaining professional networks
• Perform other duties, as assigned by supervisor

Competencies

• Dependability: able to work independently, submits accurate documentation, and seeks guidance when needed.
• Teamwork: establishes collaborative relationships with staff and volunteers, provides leadership when appropriate
• Receptiveness: accepts feedback, takes ownership of responsibilities, and identifies areas of growth
• Interpersonal Skills: communicates clearly (both written and verbally), seeks solutions, and demonstrates flexibility
• Integrity: keeps sensitive information confidential and adheres to personnel policies
• Initiative: brings questions to supervisor and seeks opportunities for further development

Qualifications

Education & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or related social service field preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

Job Experience

• Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or individuals with a history of trauma required.
• Previous case management experience highly preferred, ideally within the homeless services sector

Additional Requirements

• Must identify as female, due to the nature of the role and associated job duties
• Nature of the work is in-person; IH Case Managers provide services mostly onsite while also meeting clients at offsite locations as needed (apartment viewing, healthcare visit, document attainment, hospitalization support, etc). Must be able to travel locally with a personal vehicle or on public transportation.
• Sarah’s Circle housing programs operate 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. This position requires occasional flexibility to meet with clients during evenings and weekends.
• Must obtain live HMIS credentials within 45 calendar days of hire
• Case Manager will be assigned training for Housing Resource Specialist (HRS) certification. Once assigned, certification must be obtained within 90 days.
• Ability to lift approximately 40lbs, sit, stand, bend, reach, and perform cleaning duties.
• Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, standing, bending, reaching, and handling materials
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) through administrative updates compliant with federal law

Benefits include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; 401(k) with 100% match up to 6%; generous PTO and paid sick leave; 11 paid holidays; Employee Assistance Program; disability coverage options; leave benefits; and eligibility for annual staff bonuses.