Case Manager

Family Focus; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Family Focus in Hyde Park, Chicago, seeks a Case Manager II to deliver family-centered support, linking families to SNAP, TANF, housing, education, and employment services while guiding ISBE Prevention Initiative home-based services for pregnant women and young children.

The role emphasizes collaboration with Parent Educators and Program Supervisor, maintaining confidential files, conducting outreach to expand enrollment, and supporting families toward self-sufficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in early childhood education, family support, or related field.
• Family Specialist Credential Level 5 or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Performs ISBE Prevention Initiative/PAT/Life Skills Progression duties per standards.
• Enrolls eligible children birth to three in ISBE PI home-based program.
• Enter and maintain family assessments and goals in Visit Tracker at enrollment.
• Follow up on goals and progress to support Parent Educators.
• Monitor caseloads, parent participation, visits, and social service activities.
• Coordinate monthly parent-child group activities and provide needed assistance.
• Provide coverage for Parent Educators during vacancies or extended leave.
• Assist Supervisor in identifying center-based HS/PFA programs for near-three children.
• Collaborate to ensure smooth transitions from home-based to center-based services.
• Coordinate monthly recruitment and outreach to maintain enrollment and waitlists.
• Maintain regular contact with families via home visits, calls, and letters.
• Develop partnerships with community agencies to support referrals and resources.
• Ensure family files are complete and confidential; conduct monthly audits.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, trainings, and professional development.

Skills

Active listening

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Data entry

Relationship-building

Community partnerships

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

Family Specialist Credential Level 5

Tools

Databases

Electronic records

Office software

Job description

Job Title: Case Manager II

Location: Hyde Park

Supervisor: Program Supervisor

Family Focus is your partner in building strong families across Chicago and Northeast Illinois! We're here to support families and their children including emergency assistance, immigration programs, child welfare services, family support services, educational programs, and more. Our goal? To help our community thrive and reach its full potential! With 11 centers around Chicagoland, we're eager to expand our reach and make an even bigger impact. That's why we're on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our vision to join our team as we grow and serve more families. Are you ready to make a difference? We want you to be a part of our journey!

Case Manager

The Case Manager provides family-centered support to help families achieve their goals and self-sufficiency. Responsibilities include assessing family strengths and needs, connecting families with resources such as SNAP, TANF, housing, education, and employment services, and supporting families in implementing their Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP). The Case Manager also promotes children’s healthy development and assists with recruitment and outreach for the ISBE Prevention Initiative home-based program serving pregnant women and families with children birth to five.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs all duties in accordance with ISBE Prevention Initiative (PI), Parents as Teachers (PAT), Life Skills Progression, and professional best-practice standards.
• Enrolls eligible children birth to three and their families in the ISBE PI home-based program.
• Ensures family assessments, goals, and health history information are accurately entered into Visit Tracker at enrollment.
• Reviews and follows up on family goals and progress to support Parent Educators in providing effective services.
• Monitors Parent Educators caseloads, parent participation, monthly visits, and social service activities; follows up with families when concerns or inconsistencies arise.
• Supports Parent Educators with monthly parent-child group activities, including securing locations, coordinating meals, and providing additional assistance as needed.
• Provides coverage and support for Parent Educators caseloads during staff vacancies or extended leave.
• Assists the Program Supervisor in identifying center-based HS/PFA programs for children approaching age three.
• Collaborates with Parent Educators to ensure smooth transitions from home-based to center-based services and that family needs are addressed.
• Collaborates with the Program Supervisor to coordinate monthly recruitment and outreach activities to maintain full enrollment and an active waitlist.
• Maintains regular contact with families through home visits, phone calls, and written communication to assess ongoing needs and program engagement.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with community and social service agencies to support referrals, resources, and recruitment efforts.
• Ensures family files and documentation are complete, accurate, current, and maintained confidentially; conducts monthly random file audits.
• Participates in reflective supervision, reflective practice meetings, staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and other professional development activities as required.

The ideal candidate will have the following education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Early Childhood Education, or a related field from an accredited institution preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in early childhood education, family support, or a related field, including direct service to children and families.
• Family Specialist Credential Level 5, or the ability to obtain the credential within six months of hire.
• Experience collaborating with community partners and developing strong professional relationships.
• Strong active listening, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills with a commitment to supporting children and families.
• Ability to assess family strengths and needs, identify challenges, and develop effective solutions.
• Proficiency with databases, electronic records, and standard office software.
• Knowledge of state and federal policies, laws, rules, and regulations related to early childhood services and developmental disabilities.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, including documentation, file management, data entry, and recordkeeping.

Salary: $50,000/year

This is a full-time exempt position

Discover all the benefits we offer to support your well‑being and professional growth here: https://www.family-focus.org/about/benefits/

Family Focus is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Keywords: Early Childhood Education, Family Support Specialist, Child Development, Social Services and Case Management