Mental Health Juvenile Case Manager

SUMMARY: 

BE A CHANGE AGENT! 

Are you looking to make a difference in a young person's life? Are you an advocate of mental wellness? 

If so, this job is for you. 

The Anixter MHJJ Liaisons are out in the community connecting with youth to access mental health services and work to build capacity of the current system by training those involved in the day to day of the juvenile justice system to facilitate mental health understanding. There will be both direct support to youth and support to those within the “ecosystem” to enhance supports to respond to youth experiencing mental health issues. Linking youth to services is the primary goal, but alongside this is building strength in a community to respond proactively and consistently to youth experiencing mental health symptoms. 

The Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ) Case Manger is responsible for building collaborative community networks and obtaining referrals for youth with or at-risk for mental health concerns. The MHJJ Case Manager will assess the youth’s personal, medical, emotional, social, and environmental situations to plan for treatment course. The position functions as a part of a team and must be able to work well independently, making sound decisions in both home and community settings; ensuring collaboration with other community providers; including but not limited to individual youth, his/her family, the youth’s integrated health home, insurance companies and those referring individuals from either the Illinois Juvenile Court System, probation, school, or community. Case Managers are responsible for linking the youth and family with any necessary community-based mental health and social services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: 

• Identify services for youth involved with or at risk of involvement with Cook County Juvenile Justice system as well as local school and community-based partners.
• Connect youth with Community-based Mental Health services by communicating with external stakeholders such as family and medical coordinators to make referrals. 
• Assess youth for mental health concerns and create a person-centered Action Plan to identify specific services. 
• Provide case management services that include, but are not limited; goal setting, face-to-face and phone conversation on a weekly/bi-weekly basis, family engagement, linkage with community agencies, and follow-up services.
• Maintain an active caseload between 15-20 youth per quarter.
• Actively and independently work towards recruitment of new clients/referrals via community outreach efforts.
• Responsible for effective communication including but not limited to updating referral sources of attendance, creating monthly reports of progress for probation officers, helping youth connect and follow up with community resources. 
• Determine what methods each youth should use to avoid risk-taking factors and reach their goals.
• Track attendance and evaluate youth’s progress; re-engage youth that have inconsistent attendance in mental wellness support services. 
• Collaborate with families to connect with programs.
• Respond to medical and behavioral/psychiatric crisis in accordance with agency policy and procedure. This includes all related documentation.
• Provide crisis intervention, including facilitating hospitalization, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor's in social service minimum, Master's degree preferred (social work, counseling, psychology, or certification in case management). 
• Ability to be IM CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) certified within 6 months of employment. 

• A minimum of one years’ experience working with youth involved in the juvenile justice system preferred.
• A minimum of one years’ experience working with youth who have a diagnosis of SED (Serious Emotional Disturbance) / mental illness preferred.
• Computer proficiency required; use of electronic healthcare records required.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Agency insurance requirements. 
• Bilingual in Spanish/English, preferred.
• Experience working with teens and young adults, knowledge of learning styles and ability to engage high risk youth and their families.
• Experience working in various neighborhoods throughout the South/Westside of Chicago.
• Knowledge of Cook County Juvenile Justice System preferred.
• Ability to promote and adhere to company values.
• A commitment to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment