Mental Health Service Case Manager

Position Title: Mental Health Services Case Manager

Department: Behavioral Health Services (BHS) - Chicago Mental Health Collective (CDPH)

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor/Program Supervisor

Location: Garfield Park or Other Site

About the Program:

Behavioral Health Services (BHS):  the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) department is a combination of individual, family and group counseling, and mentoring-based services. All BHS services can be provided in the home, school, community and/or office-based locations in Chicagoland. BHS services are designed to encourage participants to utilize their strengths and resilience as motivation to become leaders in their own lives, households, neighborhoods and society. Programming utilizes and enhances individual's strengths and promotes positive outcomes by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships and furnishing the support needed to build on their strengths. BHS also offers bilingual/bicultural services through Spanish-speaking staff when necessary, and home, community and school-based therapy services as needed. 

Position Objective and Summary:

The Mental Health Services Case Manager plays a critical role in the delivery of mental health services by serving as the first point of contact for youth, families, and adults in need. Primarily based out of the Garfield Park office, this position is responsible for coordinating the intake process, assessing the needs of new consumers, and assisting in the referral and service linkage process. The Mental Health Services Case Manager works closely with Behavior Health Services team to ensure youth, families, and individuals receive coordinated critical and appropriate mental health services. This role supports the team by engaging consumers in UCAN Behavioral Health Services, assisting with intake, completing documentation, communicating with providers, and streamlining the consumer onboarding process. provides community-based case management support services and resource linkage and referral services to children, adolescents, families, and adults who are experiencing mental health and other disorders/behaviors that impact functioning and/or life skills. Services are provided in office, in-person within the home and/or community setting, by telephone, and/or video conferencing where applicable.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Initial Assessments: Conduct initial intake assessments with individuals and families to gather comprehensive background information, presenting issues, and mental health needs.
• Service Coordination: Work with the Behavior Health Services team to coordinate individuals with appropriate counseling services, to ensure that treatment addresses individual and/or family consumer needs.
• Documentation and Data Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records for all consumer intakes, including consent forms, case histories, and assessment results. Ensure all documentation complies with ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.
• Referral Management: Coordinate referrals to providers based on consumer assessments, facilitating communication between individuals, families, schools, and counselors to ensure smooth transitions in linkage and referral.
• Collaboration and Support: Collaborates with the mental health team to coordinate and support the delivery of individualized services to consumers and families, ensuring continuity of care, effective communication, and access to needed community resources.
• Consumer Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact during the initial intake and engagement process, keeping all parties informed of the next steps and ensuring a seamless onboarding experience.
• Family Engagement: Work closely with families during intake to clarify the engagement process and ensure consumers understand UCAN services available, including determining referral and linkage needs.
• Program Support: Assist in identifying service gaps and improvements for the intake process to ensure more effective delivery of community based mental health services.
• Compliance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with all documentation requirements, including confidentiality laws and organizational policies. Assist in preparing reports on intake metrics and service delivery outcomes if required.
• Support for Counselors and Supervisors: Act as a liaison between families, providers, and Behavior Health Services team members to ensure effective communication and continuity of care.

Education /Job Experience/Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or a human services related field preferred, H.S . diploma or G.E.D acceptable.
• 2 years of experience in mental health, social service, or school setting, preferably in engagement or case management service delivery.
• Strong organizational skills, excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to manage multiple tasks, and the capacity to work with diverse populations in care coordination is a plus.

Special Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Organizational Skills: Ability to manage multiple consumer cases simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and ensuring effective quality service delivery.
• Communication and Collaboration: Skilled at building relationships with families, individuals, and providers while effectively communicating important information and next steps.
• Empathy and Compassion: Demonstrates understanding and sensitivity to individuals and families emotional and service needs during the engagement process.
• Cultural Competence: Ability to work with diverse populations and manage sensitive situations with professionalism.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Able to quickly assess consumer needs and recommend appropriate services or referral based on needs.

Work Environment: Primarily based at the Garfield Park office but may require travel within the community areas assigned. Standard office hours with occasional flexibility required to engage within assigned community areas. Interaction with individuals, families, and staff will require strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to navigate within the community, including effectively serving individuals in natural settings