Case Manager

Metropolitan Family Services empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857, Metropolitan Family Services has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. Metropolitan is Illinois’ first comprehensive human services agency and reaches more than 117,000 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County with services promoting education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

We are now hiring for a Full-time Case Managerto join the Midway Team!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  

• Complete the intake assessment forms with the migrant community members that need services.
• Provide navigation support to eligible immigrants and refugees.
• Conduct a thorough screening of applicants to determine their eligibility to apply for public benefits, emergency cash assistance, utility services, rental assistance and any other needed social services.
• Assist applicants in completing applications for the full range of public benefits, including Medicaid, All Kids, SNAP, Benefit Access, VTTC applications and other appropriate services
• Advise participants on available benefits, from both, public and private sources, appropriate to their individual situation and eligibility criteria.
• Assist community members with interpretation services and/or translation of critical documents from English to Spanish and vice versa.
• Follow-up on pending casework and maintain communication with clients via phone, email or text regarding missing documentation necessary for submission of application.
• Serve as a liaison and advocate for participants with the Illinois Department of Human Services and other agencies, as needed, for cases that need additional intervention.
• Advocate and mediate with DHS and other agency staff to help community members understand eligibility criteria, problem-solve, and maintain benefits once received
• Advocate for clients with regard to financial, state/federal benefits, housing, education, and child care issued that need advocacy services.
• Provide information and facilitate referrals for community members to other critical supports.
• Maintain status updates of each client’s application, enrollment and redetermination processes.
• Maintain objective, comprehensive, qualitative and timely case notes on participants.
• Record services provided and corresponding case notes and outcomes data into Salesforce and all other funders data tracking systems on a timely and accurate manner.
• Generate and submit accurate monthly and quarterly funders reports.
• Maintain program participant files neatly organized ensuring they follow funders policies to be audit ready at all times.
• Manage relationships with local benefits agencies and cultivate new partnerships with other resource organizations that offer different services than Instituto to maintain a directory of service agencies in Chicago and surrounding suburban areas.
• Stay informed of evolving benefits eligibility guidelines that affect the migrants’ eligibility for services.
• Participate in funders and other stakeholders’ meetings as required.
• Participate in organizational staff development and team building activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection and reporting, following guidelines.
• Safeguard community members’ confidentiality at all times; maintaining secure record-keeping of files and disclose sensitive information only if required.
• Maintain a well-organized database system of all program participants.
• Must travel between organization site and shelter site to perform work duties to meet with program participants.
• Work with clients from a wide variety of age groups, backgrounds, and personal experiences to help them find the resources necessary to meet their immediate needs.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Program Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited college or university required.  
• One year of case management experience in a social service or healthcare setting required.  
• Bilingual in English/Spanish required.
• Exceptional multitasking skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Must have access to a vehicle, valid driver's license and proof of insurance to perform essential job functions, required.
• Employment with MFS requires proof of vaccination or an approved Medical exemption, required.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• MFS staff are required to provide proof of vaccination or have an approved Medical exemption prior to starting employment. If an approved Medical exemption is obtained, weekly testing is required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit and stand for sustained periods of time, frequently talk, hear, use hands and fingers to feel, handle and operate objects or controls, and occasionally stand, bend, stretch, stoop, kneel and crouch.
• The employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing and viewing a computer terminal.
• The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

SALARY:

• Compensation is commensurate with years of related experience, position requirements, and candidate qualifications. The average salary for the position is $41,916.

 Metropolitan Family Services offers a very generous benefits packet to our professionals: 

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, Traditional PPO, or PPO w/ HSA contributions.
• Dental and Vision Insurance Options
• 12 paid Holidays  
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401K Plan
• Training and Professional Development Plan with E- Learning
• Wellness Initiative Program
• Employee Assistance Network