Job Title: Case Manager – Community Schools Project

Job Location: Iowa Legal Aid, Cedar Rapids

The Community Schools Project: Children living in poverty face special challenges in school because they often lack basic needs such as stable housing, food and income security and physical safety. These destabilizing conditions are known to cause poor outcomes in school.

The Community Schools Project, an innovative partnership between Iowa Legal Aid, Cedar Rapids Public Schools and many other stakeholders, is designed to alleviate these problems and achieve meaningful change. We work inside and outside the school helping parents and caretakers of students cope with legal issues related to housing, domestic violence, and income security, all which impact school attendance, performance and disciplinary issues. We partner with other social services organizations in the community to help connect families with a wide variety of services and resources. The cornerstone of the project is our onsite legal aid clinic in a Cedar Rapids elementary school. Our attorneys and case manager meet with parents and caregivers on a regular basis at the clinic.

Position Summary: Full-time case manager responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to parents and caretakers of Cedar Rapids public school students. The case manager will work with and under the supervision of attorney staff as part of a team assisting families with civil legal matters and community-based services. As an employee of a law firm, the case manager’s duties will include following the policies and practices of Iowa Legal Aid. Duties include intake, resource and support system assessment, goal setting, case plan development, progress monitoring, advocacy and referrals. The case manager would also attend staffing, family team meetings, and other meetings as needed and assist clients in connecting with appropriate providers and resources to remove any barriers clients have to achieving goals.

Responsibilities: A case manager hired for this position will provide support and assistance to our statewide Community Schools Project. The specific duties of this job may include, but are not limited to:

• Completing eligibility screenings with potential clients
• Conducting comprehensive assessments of clients, including identifying issues within the family that may impact a child’s ability to learn, and inputting that information into a case management system
• Collaborating with CSP attorneys to develop comprehensive, holistic action plans with clients to address social service and legal needs
• Identifying needed community resources for clients and connecting clients to resources
• Monitoring and tracking client progress through in-person meetings, phone calls and other information systems
• Creating a database or other system to track community referrals and educational reports
• Developing partnerships and fostering relationships with community-based service providers and school personnel
• Organizing and participating in community and school outreach events, including tabling events and presentations
• Meeting regularly with attorneys, clients and school staff on site at Iowa Legal Aid’s school-based legal clinic
• Performing tasks related to the provision of services to clients under the direction and supervision of a licensed attorney
• Performing other tasks as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications: Candidates must have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. A social work degree or recent work experience as a social worker preferred. Prior work experience with the Cedar Rapids community resources and public school systems preferred but not required.

Applicants should also have:

• Extensive knowledge of community resources.
• Experience working with persons in crisis.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to establish rapport.
• Ability to motivate others towards achieving goals.
• Experience or ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability and experience working independently.
• The ability to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid Iowa Driver’s license.

Opening/Closing Date: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Salary/Benefits:The current salary range for the position is $36,873 - $59,250, depending on years of experience. Excellent fringe benefits.

To apply: To apply, email letter of application, resume and contact information for at least three professional references.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,873.00 - $59,250.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person