Homeless Engagement Case Manager

Inspiration Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Inspiration Corporation in Chicago, IL is seeking a Homeless Engagement Case Manager to help participants experiencing homelessness or at risk of it. You will connect individuals to basic needs, healthcare, housing resources, benefits and employment support, while maintaining timely case notes and coordinating with internal teams.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience, 2 years in nonprofit case management, strong computer skills, and bilingual Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience required; graduate-level studies preferred.
• Two years’ work experience in case management in a nonprofit setting with homeless or impoverished populations preferred.
• Proficiency in Windows, Microsoft Office; experience with electronic record-keeping preferred.
• Familiarity with Chicago Continuum of Care, HUD and housing laws preferred.
• Ability to work independently with strong communication skills; bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and support housing stability.
• Provide daytime drop-in services to eligible participants accessing resources.
• Coordinate with internal programs to serve participants.
• Assess eligibility and enroll participants into services.
• Develop goal-based service plans addressing needs and well-being.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Crisis de-escalation

Strong computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience

Graduate-level studies preferred

Two years’ case management experience

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Homeless Engagement Case Manager

Department: Housing and Homeless Engagement Services

Reports to: Housing and Homeless Engagement Program Manager

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary: $52,453 -$54,636 ($56,640 for Bilingual Spanish preferred)

Overview In an atmosphere of dignity and respect, Inspiration Corporation connects people and creates opportunity through access to social services, job training, housing, and food. Each year, Inspiration Corporation works with hundreds of resilient Chicagoans who face systemic disparities and inequities, such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation. In order to help individuals and families overcome these barriers, we provide dedicated support coupled with housing, job training, scholarships, meals and engagement services. Inspiration Corporation meets people where they are in life, helping them access the support they need and achieve their personal goals. Inspiration Corporation programs are voluntary, and all service needs and goals are participant- driven. Our case management philosophy is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Inspiration Corporation practices harm reduction and focuses on reducing or minimizing the harm associated with high-risk behavior through motivational interviewing.

• Integrity - We cultivate trusting, collaborative relationships rooted in mutual respect and accountability.
• Growth - We encourage personal development, curiosity and being open to new possibilities.
• Equity - We recognize each person's inherent rights and advocate for inclusive access to resources and opportunities.
• Resilience - We persevere and seek solutions that celebrate our strength in the face of adversity, while practicing and encouraging self‑care.
• Hospitality - We create uplifting, accepting, and nourishing connections with everyone who comes through our doors.

Inspiration Corporation believes that these values are central to our work with participants and one another, and they create a culture we all have a stake in.

Position Summary The Homeless Engagement Case Manager helps participants experiencing or at risk of homelessness meet their goals by connecting them to resources including basic needs, health care, behavioral care, substance use treatment, documents, improving housing stability, accessing income through benefits and employment support. The Homeless Engagement Case Manager provides timely and accurate records and documentation of services. The Homeless Engagement Case Manager liaises with partner organizations volunteers and other staff to improve participant access to services and resources

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, Othr duties may be assigned.

GENERAL

• Demonstrate Inspiration Corporation’s Core Values.
• Exhibit professionalism and high standards in all aspects of performance.
• Ensure the efficient and effective provision of services with dignity and respect in accordance with the agency’s mission
• Work with all departments as appropriate to ensure that the needs of the agency’s participants are addressed.
• Attend agency All Staff meetings and program meetings.

Case Management

• Engage with and build relationships with people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness and support them in increasing housing stability, transitioning to permanent housing and meeting other goals.
• Provide Daytime drop-in services to eligible participants accessing resources at Inspiration Corporation.
• Coordinate with Café Meals program, After Care and other internal resources to serve participants.
• Assess prospective participants’ eligibility for services and enroll eligible participants into the program in a timely fashion.
• Assess the service needs of Homeless Engagement Services participants and use the assessments to develop goal‑based service plans that address participants’ needs and support wellness and self‑sufficiency.
• Identify services of Inspiration Corporation and outside providers to support participants’ goals, educate participants about the resources available, and assist them in accessing relevant services.
• Provide advocacy, crisis intervention, and problem-solving in support of participants’ goal attainment and overall well‑being
• Provide coaching, case management, and other support to make progress on their goal‑based action plans. Maintain regular contact, including visits to participants’ apartments.
• Build and maintain relationships with community stakeholders.
• Interact with all participants in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional manner. Utilize
• trauma‑informed and strengths‑based approaches that promote safety, mitigate risks, and
• support participants in meeting their goals.
• Find shelter, other programs or long‑term housing for participants when needed; assist participants in applying for apartments. Connect participants to Coordinated Entry for access to affordable housing. Advocate on behalf of participants to promote housing quality and stability. Assist participants with obtaining furniture, home supplies, and other needs.
• Assess participants’ potential barriers to maintaining stable housing. Identify strategies to address any short‑term or chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might be a barrier to housing stability. Provide them with coaching, support and referrals to improve housing retention, stability, quality of life and self‑sufficiency (e.g. providing support with: budgeting life skills, tenancy skills, communication skills, etc.)
• Maintain case notes on participants' progress and complete all required tracking and reports in a timely manner.
• Provide resources, referrals and follow‑up for household members to meet families’ comprehensive needs and advocate on behalf of participants to ensure they receive needed services.
• Identify strategies to address any short‑term or chronic issues, such as substance use or mental illness, which might compromise achievement of goals and trigger relapse into homelessness
• Work with colleagues to obtain participant feedback as needed.

Program Support

• Prepare for and participate in program audits.
• Provide suggestions to senior staff to develop new or modify existing services, policies and protocols to meet the needs of program participants in alignment with the agency’s strategic directions.
• Contribute to the development and evaluation of the homeless engagement program; partner, recommend and engage with potential agencies to increase access to services that benefit participants. Represent the agency with various internal and external stakeholders through participation in events and committees as needed.
• Support the Homeless Engagement Program Manager in ensuring that all annual program goals are met or exceeded
• Complete required trainings and other professional development opportunities. Within six months, complete Statewide Referral Network and Housing Resource Specialist Training.
• Support volunteer engagement and other efforts as needed.
• Contribute to evaluation and development of Homeless Engagement programming.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & SKILLS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The following requirements are representative of the education, experience and skills necessary for the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent life experience required; graduate-level studies preferred. Degrees in Social Work or related field preferred.
• Two years’ work experience in case management in a non-profit setting with homeless or impoverished populations preferred and/or significant life experience preferred
• Proficiency in Windows operating environments, Microsoft Office required. Experience with electronic record-keeping preferred
• Familiarity with the Chicago Continuum of Care, HUD and municipal and state housing laws preferred.
• Ability to work independently and think critically required. Active listening and the ability to communicate professionally both verbally and in writing
• Crisis de‑escalation skills required
• Strong computer skills are essential, especially Excel, and electronic record-keeping. Experience with reporting on government contracts is also preferred.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Personal vehicle preferred with clean driving history and ability to transport clients and travel city‑wide.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Maintains standard office hours. Attend occasional participant meals in the café. Attends evening, weekend, and early morning meetings and functions as required

Inspiration Corporation is an equal opportunity employer.