Residential Case Manager I

Position Title: Residential Case Manager I

Department: Residential 

Reports to: Dorm Supervisor

Position Objective and Summary:

As part of the treatment team, the Case Manager provides direct individual and group casework services to facilitate healing through trauma Informed services and Positive Youth Development. Utilizing UCAN’s Clinical Philosophy, the Case Manager provides support to residents, while working towards their treatment goals.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Assessment and Service Planning

• Participates in intake review meetings, conducts intake of assigned clients and initiates assessment for new clients within 24 hours of intake.
• Collects, reviews, and integrates assessment data, in order to present the assessment and service plan at the initial staffing.
• Completes as required, assessments and service plans for assigned clients that adequately and appropriately address the client’s unique service needs.
• Implements client service plans, monitors service plan progress, and reviews progress with supervisor and DCFS as required.
• Demonstrates insight regarding client strengths and needs and incorporates this into service planning and assessment.
• Leads quarterly team staffing's on assigned clients.

Organization and Service Delivery

• Coordinates/supervises all aspects of the individual service plan and service planning process.
• Monitors implementation of the service plan, prepares quarterly reports, and revises plan quarterly, or as needed.
• Ensures UCAN service plans are in accord with IDCFS permanency goals and family service plans.
• Provides referral and linkage to appropriate resources; secures all written agreements in accordance with guidelines established by contracting agencies and other outside sources.
• Creates organized plans so that all casework tasks can be completed as required.
• Responds in a timely manner to all written correspondence, email and phone call inquiries regarding clients.
• Provides linkage with various elements of client’s ecosystem (family, school, work, IDCFS, Juvenile Court, etc.) through telephone contact, correspondence, and face-to-face contact.

Documentation and Reporting

• Makes frequent reports to supervisor on progress of client services, as well as required written reports.
• Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records and data as required by UCAN and IDCFS.
• Reports client progress in court proceedings through clear written reports submitted as required, and through accurate verbal testimony.
• Reports all possible critical incidents and unusual incidents to supervisor, management, or DCFS as required by UCAN or by mandated reporting law.
• Maintains and submits Medicaid billing reports that accurately document service provision, as required.

Client Outreach and Engagement

• Meets with individual clients at least weekly, to review plan progress, discuss problem areas, provide support, and give encouragement.
• Engages resistant and/or mandated clients in services.
• Provides outreach to family members and other significant people in the client’s life to maintain contact and to develop resources for the client.
• Develops effective helping relationships with clients and their families.
• Plans, coordinates and supervises required family or sibling visits.

Professionalism and Work Conduct

• Behaves with integrity, demonstrates high ethical standards, and displays a positive image of
• Acts in a professional manner at all times and maintains appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Demonstrates accountability for results and keeps commitments to others.
• Reports to work, meetings, training, and job related activities prepared and as scheduled.
• Demonstrates openness and respect for cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and coworkers.
• Responds to clients and their families, UCAN staff, IDCFS, service providers and other stakeholders in a timely manner and ensures follow up to adequately address their need.
• Performs other related tasks as required or assigned. 

Education/Job Experience/Certification:

• BSW or BS/BA in Human Service field required
• 0-2 years of experience working in human services, child welfare, or crisis intervention.
• Licensed Child Welfare Services Employee or license eligible

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Is open and respectful of cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of clients and is willing and competent to work with a diverse client population.
• Has an understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Has an understanding of Positive Youth Development.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the child welfare system.
• Ability to work both independently and a part of a high functioning team.
• Experience and ability to use computers for data entry, communication and report writing
• Car and valid Illinois driver’s license and insurance required.
• Ability to transport children in accordance with IDCFS regulations.

Work Environment: This position requires periodic local travel to provide services to clients. This position may require the transportation of clients. Crisis prevention and behavioral management techniques may include restraining, lifting residents. Hazards include risk of exposure to communicable diseases and risks of injury associated with emotionally disturbed residents with the potential to lose control.

Work Conditions: This position may require work on weekends, evenings, and overtime.