Case Manager

Covenant House International; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Covenant House Illinois seeks a Clinical Case Manager to provide direct, trauma-informed services to youth aged 18–24 in its Youth Development Center and Residential Programs. Reporting to the Director of Clinical and Supportive Services, you’ll manage a caseload, develop holistic plans, and collaborate with internal teams and community partners.

You will document progress weekly, advocate for youth, ensure ID documentation, and facilitate life-skills groups while maintaining confidentiality and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related field required.
• Licensure in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Human Services required.
• 2-4 years of youth development experience or related field required.
• Experience with trauma survivors and homelessness preferred.
• Fluency in trauma-informed care principles; LGBTQIA+ experience a plus.
• Strong communication and confidentiality handling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical and supportive services to youth in CHIL’s programs.
• Maintain caseload, assess needs, and develop Individual Success Plans.
• Schedule weekly meetings and document progress in databases.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary team and external partners.
• Advocate for youth rights and housing stability.
• Ensure proper documentation and compliance with regulations.

Education

Master’s degree in social work or related field

Licensure in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Human Services

2-4 years of youth development experience

Experience working with survivors of trauma, trafficking, or homelessness

Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles

Experience working with LGBTQIA+ youth

Effective written and verbal communication

Confidentiality and HIPAA compliance

Tools

HMIS

ETO

Job description

Reports To: Director of Clinical and Supportive Services

Direct Reports: NA

Classification: Exempt

Date: 4/16/24

Revised: 4/25/25

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

The Clinical Case Manager (CCM) provides direct physical and supportive services in a positive and nurturing manner to the young people served in Covenant House Illinois’ Youth Development Center and Residential Programs. The program utilizes an integrated and multidisciplinary team approach. Reporting to CHIL’s Director of Clinical and Supportive Services, and the CCM will work with program Youth Engagement Specialist and community partners to ensure the delivery of robust, comprehensive services to youth while ensuring implementation of agency philosophy, policy, and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

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 and/or residential youth.
• Complete a comprehensive assessment with each youth, integrating trauma histories to develop holistic service plans.
• Collaborate with a youth in developing both short-term and long-term goals as part of implementing an Individual Success Plan (ISP).
• Meet with youth on a weekly basis and document interactions appropriately to track progress, celebrate milestones, and adapt goals as needed, including convening Success Team meetings.
• Provide emotional support and strengths-based guidance to youth, helping build resilience and promote autonomy.
• Advocate on behalf of youth with outside service providers.
• Attend appointments and services when needed or requested by a youth.
• Ensure that youth have sufficient and proper ID (Birth Certificate, School Identification, State ID, and Social Security Card).
• Develop motivational tools for youth and support youth in understanding and exercising their rights.
• Maintain healthy relationships with the youth, mindful of boundaries and mutual respect.
• Facilitate groups on various life-skills issues such as hygiene, conflict resolution, problem-solving, self-esteem, and trauma recovery.
• Research and keep current external referral services.
• Help coordination and help facilitate re-entry meetings for youth after an incident.

3. 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 database systems.
• Ensure that youth’s files are compliant with all grant, government agencies, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Assist with program audit and review preparation.
• Ensure that intake packets are completed and data entered in HMIS for all new youth within 48 hours.
• Help ensure that proper documentation and data is being captured in ETO.

4. Trauma-Informed Care

• 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.
• Support Youth Engagement Specialists in providing youth engagement practices on the floor.
• Actively engages in supervision, case consultations, and feedback loops to improve service delivery.
• Provides insights into program evaluation, highlighting youth successes and challenges to inform service improvement.
• Provide brief counseling or therapy, if needed, when MA/MSW clinical qualifications are met.
• Model caring engagement with youth.

5. Collaboration with Multidisciplinary Team

• Work collaboratively with both internal and external service providers, including legal advocates, healthcare professionals, and community-based organizations.
• Support Youth Engagement Specialists and floor staff whenever possible and/or needed.
• Participate in all required trainings, supervision, and staff meetings.
• 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.

Others duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in social work or related field required.
• 2-4 years of youth development experience or a related field required.
• Licensure in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or Human Services related field (any level) required.
• Experience working with survivors of trauma, trafficking, or homelessness strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles and the unique challenges faced by youth survivors of complex trauma.
• Knowledge of community resources, including mental health services, legal support, education systems, and housing programs.
• 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.

Skills & Abilities

• Understand and comply with all agency policies and procedures.
• Support implementation of Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, and Positive Youth Development principles.
• Experience working with LGBTQIA+ youth and understanding their unique needs.
• Approachable, relatable, and able to build trust-based relationships with youth who may be experiencing homelessness, trauma, or trafficking.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and ability to respond quickly and calmly in high-stress situations, including developing and implementing safety plans.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality requirements, including HIPAA and mandated reporting obligations.
• Committed to professional growth, staying informed about best practices in trauma, trafficking prevention, and youth development.
• Excellent organizational and case management skills, with the ability to manage multiple cases and meet deadlines.
• Ability to monitor and de-escalate in a crisis situation.
• Ability to follow instructions, prioritize assignments, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proficient in using data management systems (HMIS, ETO) and standard computer applications.
• Bilingual (Spanis a plus)
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate across systems (legal, social services, clinical, etc.).
• Organizational abilities to track case activities, grant-funded services, and outcomes.
• Comfortable with a range of physical activities, including walking, stair-climbing, lifting, and driving.
• Ability and willingness to attain CPR/First Aid Certification.
• Must pass federal, state, and local background checks.
• Advocate passionately for the rights and dignity of all youth.
• Willing to educate youth about systemic barriers, available resources, and legal/social supports related to recovery and housing stability.

Working Conditions

• Ability to work a flexible schedule as required including non-traditional hours, weekends, and holidays.
• Ability to work standing, walking, and/or sitting a minimum of eight hours per day/shift.
• Ability to drive agency or personal vehicles to transport items and/or persons preferred.
• Ability to manage the emotional demands of the role through healthy self-care and emotional regulation practices.
• Valid Illin ois Driver’s License with acceptable driving record preferred.
• Ability to travel as needed for training or to fulfill job requirements.
• Light lifting.
• Performs all duties as assigned.
• Annual tuberculin test is required.

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.