Case Manager, Community Connections

ABOUT US:

Illinois Action for Children (“IAFC”), a local, state, and national leader in the early childhood care and education sector for over 55 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.

SUMMARY:  

Illinois Action for Children seeks a responsible Community Connections Case Manager to provide case management services for families whose children (preK to third grade) are chronically absent from school. Under the direction of the North Lawndale Community Connections Manager, the Community Connections Case Manager will meet with families and schools and work together to reduce barriers to consistent attendance. The Community Connections Case Manager will also develop strategies alongside families, children, and partners to increase awareness of the importance of school attendance. Additionally, s/he will foster relationships with additional North Lawndale families, neighborhood schools, and partner organizations to support community system building and strengthen outcomes.

Illinois Action for Children is looking for a compassionate, care-driven professional who believes in facilitating outcomes for vulnerable children and families in North Lawndale. The ideal candidate will create effective case management systems and communicate with families, children, and partners. Candidate should possess a positive attitude and strive to see the best in the North Lawndale community and its families.

This incumbent will be expected to promote and adhere to the workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities. All work must be completed with minimum supervision and per organizational standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to the following. The organization reserves the right to add to, delete, change, or modify the essential duties and responsibilities at any time.

1. Manage a caseload of North Lawndale families with chronically absent children:
2. Schedule in-person contact with families at least twice a month
3. Highlight the importance of continuous attendance and early years in school
4. Listen to families and problem-solve to address challenges impacting attendance
5. Connect children and families to community resources and document referrals
6. Assist families in writing and reaching personal goals for increased self-sufficiency
7. Follow up with families and agencies to document services until the case is closed
8. Track all necessary data points related to case management services
9. Ensure confidentiality of information received and managed by IAFC.
10. Working with team and partners, create systems to address barriers to attendance
11. Develop strategies to identify highest-need families as early as possible 
12. Develop and maintain a community resources directory 
13. Track obstacles to implementation for team reflection and continuous improvement
14. Work with the team to design responsive strategies to address emerging obstacles
15. Work with the school to develop and implement a Parent Attendance Committee 
16. Support community systems building and Innovation Zone collaboration
17. Build ongoing relationships with North Lawndale families, children, and partners
18. Promote and connect children 0-5 to formal early learning programs
19. Coordinate field trips for North Lawndale families
20. Meet with community resource partners at least twice a month to facilitate referrals, serves as a connector and an information resource
21. As assigned, represent IAFC to external groups/organizations to promote the agency and increase utilization of services through events, presentations, and/or day-to-day contact.
22. Attend program-related events regularly 
23. Execute our workplace core capabilities of accountability, customer focus, continuous quality improvement (CQI), communication, competent people, and clear priorities. 
24. The organization may assign other functions to the job at its discretion

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

•    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 with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate

•    Excellent written and verbal communications skills with the ability to establish rapport at all levels 

•    Good documentation skills 

•    A strong sense of respect for confidentiality, involving families and fellow employees

•    Experience motivating others toward achieving goals

•    Willingness to work flexible hours evenings and some weekends

•    Skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; comfort entering data

•    Valid Driver’s License required. Reliable personal transportation and insurance required.