Children's Care Manager

Job Title: Children’s Care Manager - Eastern Niagara and Orleans/Genesee Counties
Department: Health Home Care Management

Position Summary

The Children’s Care Manager provides Health Home Care Management Services for youth ages 0–21. Taking a holistic approach, the Care Manager coordinates a range of services based on individual needs, using a strength-based, trauma-informed, and family-driven model. The Care Manager engages youth and families to ensure they play an active role in developing and carrying out their Plan of Care. This role also links families with community resources, promotes evidence-based wellness and prevention, supports transitions between levels of care, and helps ensure long-term stability and success.

Department

New Directions Youth & Family Services’ Health Home Care Management program provides care coordination and advocacy for youth and families with complex needs. Care Managers work closely with families and community partners to improve outcomes in health, education, family functioning, and community integration.

Agency

New Directions Youth & Family Services is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Benefits

New Directions offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• 105 hours of paid time off in the first year, plus 13 agency holidays

• Medical, dental, and life insurance coverage

• 401k with up to 3% agency match

• Guaranteed raises after the first year

• Opportunities for advancement within a 100 year old agency where over 30% of staff have been with us for 10 years

Compensation

$22.27 – $23.40 per hour (first year), with yearly raises.

Hours/Schedule

Full-Time, Monday–Friday, flexible schedule. Evening and weekend availability may be required based on family needs.

Professional Development Opportunities

Care Managers receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, care coordination best practices, and evidence-based wellness and prevention. Staff are supported through regular supervision, in-service training, and continuing education opportunities to promote professional growth.

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities

Care Management & Planning

• Facilitate collaboration among providers and supports through regular Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meetings

• Engage youth and families to actively participate in the development of individualized Plans of Care

• Promote evidence-based wellness and prevention, linking youth with appropriate medical, behavioral, and community resources

Comprehensive Transitional Care

• Follow up with hospitals/ERs upon notification of admissions and discharges

• Facilitate discharge planning and ensure continuity of care post-transition

• Collaborate with providers to adjust services as youth needs change

Family Support & Engagement

• Connect families with peer supports, self-care programs, and groups to build resilience and knowledge

• Support families in developing self-management skills and adherence to treatment plans

Casework Contacts

• Maintain a caseload of 12–40 youth depending on acuity

• Provide at least one monthly face-to-face contact for high and medium acuity cases

• Deliver a minimum of two core Health Home Services monthly for all cases

• Participate in outreach and engagement to enroll new clients

Crisis Response

• Assist families in developing crisis and safety plans leveraging strengths and natural supports

• Collaborate with the team to provide 24-hour on-call coverage when needed

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in the Health Home electronic record system

• Ensure Medicaid and audit compliance in all casework

• Maintain confidentiality of all family information

Other Duties

• Attend supervision, mandatory in-service trainings, and professional development as required

• Adhere to agency policies, standards, and ethical guidelines

• Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisors

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong relationship-building, engagement, and communication skills

• Ability to work effectively with youth facing complex medical, behavioral, and mental health needs

• Flexibility to adapt to changing family and system needs

• Ability to collaborate effectively with providers, families, and community partners

• Strong organizational and documentation skills

• Cultural competence in serving families from diverse backgrounds

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services field and two years of experience working with youth in a community setting
  OR

• Master’s degree in a human services field and one year of related experience

• Valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance, and compliance with agency driving policies

• Ability to pass an annual physical per agency health policy (Category 1 classification)

• Compliance with agency safety standards and safe work practices

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable human service organization to apply.