Case Manager - HSPRS

Earn: $64,500/annually

Location:

Chicago, IL

Cayuga Centers is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee, prospective employee, or applicant based on race, color, creed, hair style/texture, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.

Our Home Study and Post Release Services (HS/PRS) program is dedicated to making a significant impact on the lives of unaccompanied children (UC) aged 0–17½. Referred through shelters or trusted foster care providers, these children rely on our continuous support throughout their journey from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to their parents or sponsors. We guide and empower these children and sponsors through an unfamiliar system, which makes a great difference.

One of the responsibilities of the Case Manager is to conduct home studies. These studies involve assessing the safety of the home and the suitability of the sponsor before the child is unified with them. This assessment ensures that the child will be placed in a secure and appropriate environment. The case manager will employ child welfare principles and best practices during this process to ensure the child's well‑being.

Furthermore, the Case Manager's role extends beyond the initial placement. They also provide post‑release services to assess the child and the sponsor's areas of need. This ensures that the child and the sponsor are doing well and are connected within the community. The Case Manager acts as an advocate for the child, helping them navigate the unfamiliar system and connecting them with resources that meet their specific needs.

This could include medical care, education, mental health services, and any other support required for their well‑being. The Case Manager will continue to monitor the placement on an ongoing basis, ensuring that the child's safety and well‑being are maintained.

• Ensure safety for all youth on caseload
• Manage a high turnover caseload
• Comply with agency and regulatory policies and procedures
• Coordinate initial intake for each youth
• Coordinate and handle an estimated caseload of 40 youth at any given time (HS and PRS cases)
• Contact each child and sponsor within 24 hours of case assignment
• Conduct safety screenings and mental health assessments
• Coordinate, schedule, and confirm necessary services for each youth in their location
• Communicate regularly with the youth and sponsor to address any needs and/or concerns
• Ensure all assessments, reports, and team case notes are current in the hardcopy file and electronic file
• Ensure each youth is enrolled and attending school
• Respond to client emergencies within or outside work hours
• Travel throughout the region, and potentially outside of the assigned region, to complete home studies and in‑person case contacts. Case Managers may be required to travel up to 3 hours for home visits in their personal vehicle

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant behavioral/social science field required
• Experience conducting home studies according to state requirements – required
• Strong professional writing, particularly for assessment reports – required
• Knowledge of local community social services – required
• Experience working with immigrant populations – required
• One to three years of progressive experience in case management – preferred
• Child welfare experience – preferred
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office
• Ability to work well with people from many cultures, non‑English speakers, and LGBTQ children
• Bilingual – English/Spanish preferred. All agency documents and records are in English, therefore English writing proficiency is required. The position itself requires Spanish speaking, writing, and reading proficiency
• Valid driver's license in a state located within the assigned region and personal, reliable vehicle to conduct home visits – required
• Ability to travel extensively, both via…