Atlas House - Case Manager

Positions Summary:

The Independent Living Case Manager serves as the primary coordinator of treatment, independent living, educational, vocational, and transition services for youth residing in the Atlas Enhanced Structure Independent Living Program. This position is responsible for ensuring that each youth receives individualized, strengths-based services that promote emotional wellness, personal accountability, employment readiness, educational achievement, and successful transition into independent adulthood.

Working collaboratively with Youth Care Specialists, clinical providers, families, referral partners, and community organizations, the Independent Living Case Manager develops, coordinates, and monitors individualized service plans while ensuring compliance with Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), Department of Human Services (DHS), Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS), licensing, and agency standards.

This position provides direct case management, facilitates individual and group skill-building services, develops employment and educational opportunities, coordinates transition planning, maintains clinical documentation, and serves as the primary liaison between the program and each youth's support network. The Independent Living Case Manager promotes a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and Positive Youth Development approach that empowers youth to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary for lifelong independence.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major study in social work or a closely allied field AND one year of experience in the care and treatment of children or young adults; OR a Bachelor's degree with major study in social work, psychology, sociology or a closely allied field AND two years of experience in the care and rehabilitation of children or young adults.
• Prefer minimum of three years' experience working with adolescents and families, including at least two years residential experience providing treatment services to sexually aggressive youth and their families.
• Prefer experience working with the Department of Health Services or the Juvenile Justice system.
• Prefer one year of case management experience; preferably in a BRS facility setting.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Genuine concern for young people and the ability to treat all people with dignity and respect, and openness to learning and implementing a Positive Youth Development approach to youth work.
• Ability to work effectively within: culturally diverse populations; team dependent models; crisis management; strength-based theoretical orientation; adolescent development; and family reunification.
• Knowledge of stages of change, motivational interviewing, and trauma informed care.
• Knowledge of community resources that support and promote independent living skills.
• Knowledge of Oregon Youth Authority, Department of Community Justice, and/or other systems of care for adjudicated youth.
• A commitment to on-going training and a willingness to receive and act upon feedback.
• Ability to accurately read, record, and interpret information and complete written documentation that meets contract and program guidelines.
• Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision of program and youth.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including youth, families, staff, supervisors, and community partners.
• Ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an environment serving young people who require a high level of supervision and redirection from staff.
• Ability to exercise independent discretion and judgment within program guidelines.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-dependent environment and to act on the agenda of the program.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries working with youth and in handling confidential information.
• Ability to climb and descend at least two flights of stairs.
• Ability to escort and supervise clients in the community which may require standing and walking up to an hour at one time.
• Ability to stay awake and alert throughout entire assigned shift and to perform routine dorm checks and facility walk-throughs.
• Ability to effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills and effectively de-escalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations.
• Ability to regularly attend scheduled shift, be punctual for scheduled shift and meetings, and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of position.
• Manual dexterity allowing performance of routine office tasks such as writing, phone use, filing, copying, and use of computer keyboard.
• Manual/physical capability to bend, stoop, kneel, and reach, as well as occasionally lifting up to 20lbs (including overhead) in order to perform functions such as accepting donations or unpacking groceries.
• Ability to perform and/or supervise routine household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, washing and folding laundry, emptying trash, sweeping/mopping, etc.
• Ability to participate in E-Cell coverage, including 24/7 after-hours support.

Other Requirements:

• Personal transportation allowing for travel within the Portland metropolitan area is required; a personal vehicle for travel and/or transport of clients is preferred. All employees who drive for work purposes must have and maintain a valid driver's license for state of residency, have a driving record that permits coverage under the corporate auto liability policy, and complete the agency's driving approval process before driving for work. If driving a personal vehicle for work purposes drivers must also have personal auto liability coverage ($100,000/$300,000 levels strongly recommended). Employees are not to drive for work purposes until they have received written authorization to do so.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training is required on first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Must complete Mandatory Abuse Training within the first 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• Provides emergency first-aid, as needed, and must have and maintain standard first-aid/CPR certification.
• Must pass criminal history background check.
• Food Handler's Certification required within two weeks of hire.
• Must obtain National Provider Identification Number through the National Plan and Provider Enumeration System within 5 days of hire.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Case Management and Treatment Coordination

• Serves as the primary case manager for assigned youth

• Complete comprehensive assessments identifying each youth's strengths, needs, barriers, and goals.

• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise individualized service plans every 30 days in collaboration with youth, families, JPPO/DHS Caseworker, therapists, and community partners.

• Conduct weekly individual case management and skill-building sessions.

• Facilitate psychoeducational and treatment groups as assigned.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary treatment team meetings and participate in case staffing.

• Maintain regular communication with Juvenile Probation and Parole Officers, DHS caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, schools, employers, and families.

• Prepare reports for court hearings, treatment reviews, and placement meetings.

• Coordinate intake, orientation, and discharge planning.

• Monitor youth progress toward treatment goals and adjust interventions as needed.

• Assist youth in identifying barriers and developing practical solutions that promote long-term success.

• Provide oversight and coordination of client passes, visitation, communication, and material approvals in accordance with program policies and individualized service plans.

• Independent Living Skills Development

• Teach and reinforce skills necessary for successful independent adulthood.

• Provide individualized coaching in budgeting, banking, financial literacy, savings, credit, consumer awareness, and financial responsibility.

• Assist youth with meal planning, grocery shopping, nutrition, cooking, and household management.

• Support development of time management, organization, communication, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

• Coordinate housing readiness education through Rentwell, apartment searches, lease education, renter responsibilities, and utility setup.

• Assist youth in obtaining identification documents, driver's licenses, Social Security cards, birth certificates, and other essential records.

• Connect youth with community resources supporting housing, healthcare, education, transportation, employment, and financial stability.

• Develop individualized transition plans that prepare youth for successful discharge and long-term independence.

• Manage assigned client financial accounts, including monitoring savings goals, reviewing expenditures, maintaining accurate financial records, and ensuring funds are used in accordance with program policies.

• Teach and coach youth in responsible money management through oversight of personal finances, budgeting, savings, and financial decision-making.

• Employment & Educational Services

• Assess each youth's educational and vocational interests, strengths, and career goals.

• Assist youth with school enrollment, GED programs, vocational training, apprenticeships, college planning, FAFSA completion, and financial aid resources.

• Provide individualized employment coaching including:

• Resume development

• Cover letter preparation

• Employment applications

• iInterview preparation

• Workplace communication

• Professional behavior

• Career exploration

• Develop and maintain partnerships with employers, workforce agencies, educational institutions, apprenticeship programs, and community organizations.

• Coordinate employment opportunities and support youth throughout the hiring process.

• Monitor employment performance and collaborate with employers to promote job retention.

• Conduct employment verification and supervision checks as required.

• Facilitate vocational readiness and career development groups.

• Family & Community Partnership

• Maintain consistent communication with youth families, guardians, and identified support persons.

• Maintain weekly communication with youth families, guardians, and identified support persons regarding treatment progress, visitation, passes, approved contacts, material approvals, and other program-related matters

• Coordinate family engagement and family skill-building services.

• Serve as the primary liaison between Atlas and referral agencies.

• Build collaborative relationships with schools, employers, healthcare providers, mental health professionals, workforce agencies, landlords, and community partners.

• Advocate for youth to ensure access to appropriate services and opportunities.

• Represent Atlas professionally within the community.

• Schedules and facilitates intakes for clients and families.

• Documentation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and complete documentation in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.

• Ensures that Intake documentation is complete and client file is set up on first day of placement.

• Complete all required BRS documentation, including assessments, service plans, progress notes, service documentation, reviews, and discharge summaries.

• Ensure documentation meets DHS, OYA, Medicaid (if applicable), and licensing standards.

• Monitor required service delivery hours and documentation deadlines.

• Participate in quality assurance activities and chart reviews.

• Protect client confidentiality and maintain professional documentation practices.

• Residential Program Support

• Support Youth Care Specialists in implementing individualized treatment plans.

• Provide behavioral consultation and coaching to direct care staff.

• Participate in crisis intervention and de-escalation efforts.

• Provide direct supervision of youth when operationally necessary.

• Participate in rotating on-call responsibilities.

• Model professional communication, teamwork, and Positive Youth Development principles.

• Promote a physically and emotionally safe residential environment.

• Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations.

• Transition Planning & Permanency

• Coordinate comprehensive transition planning beginning at intake.

• Assist youth in securing safe and stable housing prior to discharge.

• Coordinate applications for housing, education, employment, healthcare, and community benefits.

• Develop individualized transition checklists and timelines.

• Connect youth to community providers to ensure continuity of care after discharge.

• Monitor progress toward independent living goals and adjust transition plans as needed.

• Coordinate discharge planning with youth, families, referral agencies, and community partners.

• Provides emergency first-aid, as needed, and maintains a current standard first-aid certification.

• Models and encourages direct, respectful and professional communication among staff members and facilitates development of a positive staff support network.

• Models cultural sensitivity and encourages diversity among staff members and clients, facilitating a respectful living environment.

• Makes cultural presentation as assigned by Program Manager.

• Actively seeks out and participates in diversity training.

• Performs other program related duties as assigned by Manager, Program Director, or Executive Director.

Working Conditions:

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases, including a variety of illnesses and infections such as the common cold, TB, Hepatitis, flu, meningitis, and HIV.
• May involve exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized or emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, adults, and families.
• May involve time in excess of routine schedule and/or overtime, including evening/overnight, weekend hours, and/or holidays.
• May involve exposure to information that graphically describes physical, sexual and emotion abuse of children and may experience vicarious trauma.
• May require working and providing services at locations other than program site (i.e., schools, café', clinics, etc.,) and may, therefore, be exposed to environments not under agency control (i.e., second-hand smoke, varying hygiene practices, etc.).

This position description is intended to give the reader a general idea of the overall purpose and the main activities and responsibilities that are intrinsic to this position. While this description is intended to be representative, it is not intended to be limiting.