Safe Ride Support Specialist Jobs in Chicago, IL

Job Type
Full-time
Description
The Safe Ride Case Manager is responsible for triage, diversion, intake, assessment, service and housing planning, routine case management, advocacy, and counseling for individuals referred to Anderson Shelter. The role quickly assesses participant needs, creates service plans that address physical health, mental health, substance use, and other basic needs, and develops housing plans that connect participants to transitional shelter or a more permanent housing solution. The Case Manager works intensively with participants to match them with appropriate resources, which may include family or friends, unsubsidized rentals, Chicago-based resources, the suburban Cook CoC, or other subsidized housing opportunities. The Safe Ride Case Manager documents client services and interactions in HMIS and Salesforce as required.
The Safe Ride Case Manager's caseload will include participants referred to Anderson Shelter by Safe Ride Outreach Specialists. Safe Ride Outreach Specialists are part of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)-sponsored Safe Ride program, which engages individuals experiencing homelessness who use CTA trains and platforms for shelter and connects them to community services and shelter. Anderson Shelter will provide up to six beds for individuals referred by Safe Ride Specialists. In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, the Safe Ride Case Manager manages inflow and outflow for the six CTA beds to maximize bed availability, including making referrals for placement in Housing Forward's HHIP NITA Transitional Shelter.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential functions include coordinating Safe Ride referrals, completing intake and assessment activities, providing case management and housing planning, maintaining accurate documentation, and communicating bed availability and client progress to internal and external partners.
Intake, Engagement and Diversion:

• Communicate with Safe Ride Specialists regarding potential referrals to confirm bed availability and support a warm handoff.
• Ensure the sex offender registry has been cleared for the individual.
• Assist clients who may have safe alternatives to entering the shelter system in navigating those alternatives and diverting from Emergency Shelter when appropriate.
• If not diverted, provide orientation and ensure proper placement on the Shelter Waitlist and set an appointment for ongoing case management.
• Complete intakes for new clients, identify special needs such as physical limitations or underlying medical conditions, and enter all assessments into the agency's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Salesforce.

Case Management Responsibilities:

• Provide case management services including advocacy, crisis intervention, and counseling to participants.
• Perform assessments to determine a person's immediate housing situation, identify underlying issues, and offer short-term solutions that may resolve the immediate housing crisis.
• In conjunction with client, establish a service plan to address underlying physical/mental health, substance use concerns or other basic needs.
• In conjunction with the client, establish a housing plan to quickly transition the individual to a more permanent solution.
• Use Rapid Resolution best practices to quickly connect individuals with appropriate resources, including family or friends, unsubsidized rentals, Chicago-based services, the CoC, or other subsidized housing opportunities.
• Work intensively with individuals in the six CTA reserved beds to quickly match them with appropriate resources, optimize outflow and bed availability, and assess participants for placement in Housing Forward's HHIP Transitional Shelter.
• Work with the HHIP NITA Transitional Shelter Team to identify appropriate referrals for Safe Ride participants and assist with warm handoffs for individuals accepted into that program.
• Provide required updates for FLOW meetings regarding client status.
• Gather necessary client data, documents and information on client homeless history to support goals and objectives and update their progress while at the Shelter.
• Document client services and interactions in HMIS and Salesforce as required.
• Periodically participate in meetings with Safe Ride Specialists to coordinate services for clients referred from Safe Ride.
• If the Safe Ride Case Manager does not have a full caseload of participants, they will assist the Emergency Shelter Manager, Emergency Shelter Case Manager, and Engagement Specialists with services for other Emergency Shelter guests.

Administrative:

• Ongoing monitoring of the six assigned CTA beds to optimize utilization and ensure accurate, up-to-date information regarding availability is communicated to Safe Ride Specialists in the field.
• Routine scanning of data for updates, maintenance and error corrections in client database.
• Participate in regular supervision meetings with the Director of Emergency Services and keep the Director of Emergency Services and Shelter Manager fully informed regarding client progress.
• Inform the Shelter Manager and complete an incident report for unusual events that occur during the shift.
• Maintain referral resources for clients who are not admitted to shelter.

Other Duties:

• Assist in the collaboration of volunteers.
• Attend agency-wide and departmental meetings
• Complete Program Staff monthly training and Agency mandatory training.
• Participate in clinical case staffing.
• Other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE:
Generally, Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; must be flexible, as hours may vary.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field required; master's degree preferred. A minimum of two years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to solve problems, make decisions in stressful situations, and maintain professional boundaries with clients.
• Maturity in demeanor and positive attitude.
• Aptitude for managing data and information.
• Crisis intervention skills.
• Ability to manage multiple program responsibilities and tasks simultaneously.
• Comfortable interacting with diverse groups of people, including volunteers and shelter clients.
• Ability to think quickly and adapt in real time.
• Ability to work individually and as a member of a team.
• Must have a smartphone to use agency communication and collaboration tools.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver's license and proof of insurance.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Housing Forward does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, medical status, military status, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, ancestry, or any legally protected status.
This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, national origin, or disability. Job descriptions are not intended and should not be construed to be all-inclusive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
Salary Description
$50,000 to $52,000