Housing Advocacy Case Manager

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https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/13379164

The Case Manager Housing Advocacy supports individuals referred to the

Norman Housing Advocacy and Youth Housing Advocacy programs in achieving

and maintaining permanent, affordable, and safe housing. This role

focuses on addressing the underlying causes of homelessness or housing

instability, helping clients obtain essential documentation and services

needed to secure or sustain housing, whether market-rate or subsidized,

and working toward individualized goals that promote long-term

stability. The Case Manager conducts outreach and provides advocacy and

supportive services to youth who are formerly in or transitioning from

foster care, as well as families involved with the Department of Child

and Family Services who are receiving intact services or seeking

reunification. Responsibilities include assessing immediate and

long-term housing and supportive service needs; developing collaborative

housing action plans; assisting clients in locating and securing

permanent housing through education, housing referrals, transportation,

landlord mediation, utility access support, and housing counseling;

providing life skills education such as tenant readiness, budgeting, and

financial literacy; supporting employment and benefit access; connecting

clients to community resources; conducting follow-up to prevent housing

crises; expanding housing options for families certified into the Norman

class; and helping youth build relationships with supportive adults as

they transition into adulthood.

• Must have completed 2 years of college at an accredited college or
  
  

university and, preferably, have an associate degree in human

services or a related field or higher education. A combination of

education and lived experience as a youth aging out of child welfare

system care may be considered. At least 1 year experience working in

human services is preferred.

• Ability to pass criminal background check.
• Valid drivers license and safe and reliable vehicle. Ability to
  
  

transport clients using agency vehicles on occasion.

• Strong background in customer services and human services with
  
  

programs target population, withexcellent customer service skills

and a professional demeanor.

• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles.
• Knowledge of and/or experience in working with young adults and/or
  
  

families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

• Knowledge of and/or experience with the DCFS system.
• Knowledge of continuing education options including high school,
  
  

trade, and college.

• Understand steps individuals lacking employment history can
  
  

implement to work toward gainful employment.

• Knowledge of housing continuum from shelter to home ownership in
  
  

service area.

• Knowledge of public assistance programs, including eligibility and
  
  

application process.

• Possess household budgeting skills.
• Ability to attend community meetings, provide program information at
  
  

community meetings, and collect and share relevant meeting

information with team.

• Ability to work with clients on an individual and family level.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills with experience
  
  

accurately documenting services through case notes and/or detailed

billing highly desired.

• Strong interpersonal, networking, written, and verbal communication
  
  

skills and the ability to forge positive relationships with clients,

co-workers, and colleagues.

• Proficient in English (spelling, punctuation, grammar).
• Ability to attend worksite regularly to perform job duties and
  
  

responsibilities.

• Aptitude to become proficient with proprietary database operations
  
  

and demonstrate functional proficiency in use of Microsoft Office

Suite (Word, Ex el, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) for case

documentation, data entry, and time sheets.

• Ability to use organization and records management skills to manage
  
  

all aspects of a clients case, including tracking activities,

updating records, monitoring outcomes, managing files and documents,

and following all recordkeeping requirements.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate program needs
  
  

including periodic early mornings, evenings, nights, and weekends.

• Preferred: knowledgeable of resources, services, and activities for
  
  

young adults and families experiencing homelessness and/or housing

instability in Champaign County.

• **Preferred:** knowledge of and/or experience working with
  
  

individuals experiencing mental health issues and/or substance use

disorders.