Case Manager, ILP/Education

*Please submit a copy of your resume and a short cover letter that conveys why you are a great candidate for this specific role.*

OVERVIEW:

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC) helps people of all cultures and beliefs rise up out of poverty and overcome barriers to economic mobility and wellness. For over 15 years, the agency has resettled unaccompanied refugee minors who have fled their homelands due to persecution, war, and violence. Operating as both a Foster Family Agency and a Refugee Resettlement program, the Refugee Foster Care (RFC) program at CCSCC offers long-term, tailored, wrap-around services, and is unlike any other program in the Bay Area. 

RFC provides culturally and linguistically appropriate child welfare, foster care, and independent living services to unaccompanied youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) Program. The URM Program serves youth in the U.S. who are refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of human trafficking who have an ORR eligibility letter or T-visa, U-visa holders, and youth who have received Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. RFC supports youth with foster care placement, housing, education, health, medical, immigration, mental health, independent living services, and with family reunification efforts when possible. RFC uses strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant models to build and expand on a youth's natural resources. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

In this role, the ILP/Education Case Manager will provide case management services to children and youth with a focus on teaching independent living skills and supporting K-12 and postsecondary educational/vocational goals. We are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual with good organizational skills, strong education advocacy skills, adaptable teaching strategies (culturally-appropriate, trauma-informed) to help youth achieve their goals. This is a unique opportunity to join a dedicated and mission-driven team working collaboratively to support unaccompanied refugee minors in foster care. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide independent living skills training to clients in individual and small group format


• Provide postsecondary education assistance, including support with college applications, college enrollment, vocational training enrollment, and academic and career exploration


• Teach Independent Living Program (ILP) classes one Saturday each month and financial literacy classes in collaboration with the ILP Coordinator, Education Coordinator, and ILP/Education Case Manager


• Design and provide services in accordance with each client’s Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) and Needs and Services Plan (NSP)


• Conduct Casey Life Skills Assessments to identify clients’ independent living skills level


• Support post-18 “transition to adulthood” planning


• Provide education case management services and act as the educational rights holder for minor clients on assigned caseload


• Enroll assigned clients in school (K-12 and Adult School, GED, HiSET, ESL) and provide educational planning in collaboration with academic counselors


• Participate in school meetings, IEP and 504 Plan meetings, and request educational assessments and accommodations


• Serve as the primary contact for schools and monitor academic progress, attendance, and participation by meeting with school counselors at least once per semester


• Assist with school enrollment and connect youth to additional school-based services


• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team (social workers, case managers, mental health providers, legal coordinator, parent partner) and resource parents to promote the best interests of the clients


• Develop and maintain community resource connections and partnerships to best serve the independent living and education/vocational needs of the youth


• Record services and maintain client files in the agency’s electronic client records system AWARDS


• Assist with post-arrival activities and cultural adjustment


• Provide transportation to support ILP, education, and case management needs


• Support client development towards self-sufficiency


• Attend Child and Family Team Meetings


• Recruit and train foster parents


• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, sociology, psychology, or any related field preferred, OR combination of relevant experience and education to perform the necessary job duties


• Experience working with newcomer populations, youth and young adults, or youth in foster care

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent cross-cultural skills and ability to work well with diverse populations


• Ability to work well as a member of a multidisciplinary team


• Trauma-informed practices


• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and multitask


• Excellent oral and written English skills


• Excellent computers skills: MS Office (all apps) and Google Workspace

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year working with English Language Learners (ELL) and experience navigating the public education system


• Knowledge of CA State child welfare services regulations and education rights


• Multilingual in one or more languages commonly spoken by program clients (Arabic, French, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Oromo, Amharic, Burmese, Hindi, Farsi, Dari, etc.)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time


• Ability to use a computer workstation


• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs


• Ability to travel/drive within Santa Clara County

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Criminal background check via livescan fingerprint


• Must have TB test performed and submit results


• Provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and booster status


• Automobile, valid driver’s license and auto insurance per agency policy; or have access to reliable transportation.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work will be indoors and outdoors even during times of inclement weather


• Some work may be spent driving a vehicle on community roads


• Bay Area and occasional out-of-state travel required

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS:

• Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


• This is a full-time, non-exempt position. Hours will be based on client and foster family availability. All program staff may be expected to work at least one Wednesday night per month and at least one Saturday per month. The program offers a hybrid (remote and in-person) schedule.


• The starting salary for this position is $31.25/hr. Compensation for this role may commensurate with experience, knowledge, and skills.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability. Persons receiving services in our programs are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.