YDC Case Manager

Job Title: YDC Clinical Case Manager  

Department: Program  

Reports To: Supportive Service Clinical Manager  

Direct Reports: NA 

Classification: Exempt  

Date: 4/17/24   

Revised: 10/8/2026

 

Organization Overview 

Covenant House Illinois (CHIL), founded in 2017, provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness across Chicagoland and Illinois. Through trauma-informed, harm-reduction, and youth-centered services including shelter, workforce development, education, and clinical support CHIL empowers young people to achieve long-term stability and independence. With continued growth and expansion, CHIL is committed to strengthening service delivery through strong compliance, quality assurance, and data-driven decision-making.       

Position Summary:  

As a YDC Case Manager at Covenant House Illinois, you’ll provide direct, compassionate support to young people in our Youth Development Center and Residential Programs. You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team, working closely with Youth Engagement Staff and community partners to deliver comprehensive, youth-centered services. Reporting to the Director of Clinical and Supportive Services, you’ll help create a safe, empowering space while ensuring our values, policies, and practices are brought to life every day.

If you’re passionate about youth development and ready to make a real impact, we want to hear from you.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities: (Covenant House Illinois reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following)

1. Mission and Standards of Procedure:

• Ensure the highest quality of delivery of services to youth in accordance with the CHIL Principles, Mission, and Core Values.
• Promote a safe and healing environment by utilizing the principles and practices of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and positive youth development in all aspects of work and youth engagement, including crisis prevention, intervention, and de-escalation.
• Have an understanding of and support the implementation of Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Positive Youth Development.
• Have knowledge and experience working with the LGBTQIA+ population
• Able to articulate successes and challenges experienced by youth to inform program development and effectively communicate with CHIL staff, community partners, funding sources, and others.
• Willingness to advocate for the rights of all youth passionately and actively to be valued, supported, and housed.
• Can maintain confidentiality while understanding and complying with requirements of mandated reporting, HIPAA, and other limits to confidentiality.

 

2. Case Management and Support:

• Manage a caseload of YDC youth, conducting comprehensive assessments to understand individual needs, strengths, and challenges, including trauma history, mental health, substance use, and family dynamics.
• Manage the day to day needs of the program i.e. processing/tracking bus cards, etc.
• Collaborate with youth in developing both short-term and long-term goals, empowering youth to be active participants in their own planning and decision-making processes.
• Ensure that youth have sufficient and proper ID (Birth Certificate, State ID, and Social Security Card, etc.), and support them in securing public benefits such as SNAP, Medicaid, or housing vouchers where applicable.
• Meet with youth on a regular basis and document interactions appropriately to track progress, celebrate milestones, and adapt goals as needed.
• Attend appointments and services when needed or requested by a youth.
• Have the ability and willingness to advocate for youth outside of Covenant House and in the community as needed or requested, including participation in community resource meetings or job fairs.
• Develop motivational tools for youth and promote positive behavior, coping strategies, and life skills through both individual sessions and facilitated groups.
• Maintain healthy and supportive relationships with youth, always mindful of professional boundaries, confidentiality, and mutual respect.
• Model supportive engagement and create a safe space for healing and self-expression.
• Support program staff whenever possible and/or needed, contributing to a collaborative and youth-centered team environment.
• Participate in all required trainings, supervision, and staff meetings to support professional growth, service quality, and alignment with best practices.
• Facilitate life-skills groups on topics such as hygiene, problem solving, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and personal development.

2. Documentation and Record Keeping:

• Ensure that intakes and progress notes are documented accurately in all databases, including HMIS, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), or other relevant case management systems.
• Advocate on behalf of youth with external service providers to ensure timely access to essential services such as housing, employment, education, healthcare, and legal aid.
• Ensure that youth files are compliant with all grant requirements and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist with program audit and review preparation.

4. Trauma-Informed Care:

• Apply trauma-informed care principles in all interactions with youth, providing a safe, empathetic, and non-judgmental environment that supports healing and growth.
• Recognize and respond to the effects of trauma on behavior, emotions, and decision-making, offering appropriate interventions and support to help youth overcome challenges and heal.
• Integrate strengths-based, youth-centered approaches into case management, focusing on building resilience, self-esteem, and empowerment.

4. Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team:

• Collaborate with internal staff, including housing specialists, mental health professionals, and employment counselors, to provide holistic care to youth.
• Support Youth Engagement Specialist and floor staff whenever possible and/or needed
• Participate in regular team meetings and case reviews, sharing updates on youth progress and identifying strategies to address any barriers to success.
• Work closely with community partners, such as social service agencies, healthcare providers, and legal advocates, to ensure comprehensive support for each youth.

• Research and keep current on external referral services and maintain strong professional relationships with community partners and agencies.
• Work collaboratively with internal multidisciplinary teams, including housing specialists, mental health professionals, employment counselors, and medical providers to deliver holistic care.
• Be willing and able to participate in a rotating holiday, and weekend schedule to support 24/7 program needs and crisis response.
• Participation in on-call Crisis Phone rotation week schedule - respond to crisis calls, emergency calls, and/or other Covenant House Illinois needs within a reasonable time period.  
• Other duties as assigned.

4. Community and Partner Relations:

• Maintain positive, professional relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and service providers to expand the network of resources available to youth.
• Represent the agency at community meetings, trainings, and events, advocating for youth homelessness issues and resources.

4. Self-Care and Professional Development:

• Engage in regular self-care practices to manage the emotional demands of the role.
• Participate in ongoing training, workshops, and professional development opportunities to stay informed about best practices in trauma-informed care and human trafficking prevention.
• Willingness to utilize training opportunities in support of personal and professional growth, competence development, and to increase overall capacity to serve youth every day.

Others duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelors degree in Social Work or related field required.
• 2-4 years of youth development experience required.
• Licensure in Social Work, psychology, counseling or human services related field (any level) preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Effective written, verbal, listening and communication skills
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment in crisis situations, with effective interpersonal skills
• Must be willing to function as an active member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Willingness and ability to attain a CPR/First Aid Certification.

• Pass federal, state, and local background check investigations.

• Knowledge of community social service resources to assist youth with needs related to housing, employment, education, and social-emotional well-being.

• Knowledge of crisis intervention and ability to address conflict between youth; able to respond quickly and safely while calmly de-escalating crisis situations and emergencies.
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus.

 

Working Conditions

This position requires the employee to work onsite in our office facility. Potential exposure to challenging behavioral situations or high-stress environments, requiring the ability to maintain composure and apply trauma-informed practices. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to verbally communicate, listen, stand for moderate periods of time, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds, occasionally driving a minivan. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

 

At Covenant House Illinois, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. We know that a team with varied backgrounds and perspectives is stronger and better equipped to serve our youth. That’s why we foster a culture where every team member feels valued, heard, and supported. 

We are committed to continuous learning, honest reflection, and creating opportunities for growth. 

Covenant House Illinois is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We base all employment decisions on qualifications and business needs—without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected status. Discrimination and harassment have no place here, and we welcome all qualified applicants to join our team.