Job Title: Clinical Case Manager
Department: Program
Reports To: Director of Clinical and Supportive Services
Direct Reports: NA
Classification: Exempt
Date: 4/16/24
Revised: 4/25/25
Organization Overview
Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 young people, administering tailored, wraparound services, including interim and transitional shelter, workforce and education programming, clinical case management, life-skills training, and more to help youth permanently escape the cycle of homelessness. CHIL’s programs and services are youth affirming, supportive, and rooted in harm reduction and trauma-sensitive care. With a newly renovated campus on Chicago’s west side and a recently enacted three-year strategic plan outlining a comprehensive vision of program expansion and service innovation, CHIL is uniquely positioned to meet the emerging needs of young people experiencing housing instability and provide the resources and care they need to achieve sustainable independence.
Position Summary
As a Clinical Case Manager (CCM), you will play a hands-on role in providing both physical care and supportive services to young people in Covenant House Illinois’ Youth Development Center and Residential Programs. You’ll bring positivity, compassion, and consistency to every interaction, helping youth feel safe, valued, and supported.
You’ll be part of a multidisciplinary team that works together to deliver wrap-around services and holistic care. Reporting to the Director of Clinical and Supportive Services, you’ll collaborate closely with Youth Engagement Specialists and community partners to ensure each young person receives comprehensive, individualized support. In this role, you’ll also champion the mission and philosophy of Covenant House Illinois by modeling best practices and ensuring that policies and procedures are carried out with integrity and care.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities: (Covenant House Illinois reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following)

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.
• Participate in a rotating on-call rotation to support program needs 24/7 for the assigned week.
• Participate in a rotating holiday and weekend shift rotation as clinical staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

1. 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.
• Model caring engagement with youth.
• 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. 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.

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 Illinois 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.

Please refer the Job description for details