Director of Clinical and Supportive Services - Covenant House Illinois

Job Title: Director of Clinical and Supportive Services

Department: Program

Reports To: Chief Program Officer

Direct Reports: Clinical Case Managers team, Clinical Therapist and Supportive Services Manager

Classification: Exempt

Date: 10/24/24  

Company Overview

Founded in 2017, Covenant House Illinois (CHIL) provides critical protection and resources for youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness throughout Chicagoland and across Illinois. To date, CHIL has served nearly 2,000 young people, administering tailored, wraparound services, including interim and transitional shelter, workforce and education programming, clinical case management, life-skills training, and more to help youth permanently escape the cycle of homelessness. CHIL's programs and services are youth affirming, supportive, and rooted in harm reduction and trauma-sensitive care. With a newly renovated campus on Chicago’s west side and a recently enacted three-year strategic plan outlining a comprehensive vision of program expansion and service innovation, CHIL is uniquely positioned to meet the emerging needs of young people experiencing housing instability and provide the resources and care they need to achieve sustainable independence. 

Primary Responsibilities:

The Director of Clinical and Supportive Services is responsible for implementing the strategic growth and delivery of high quality and meaningful services, including: Case Management, Life Skills, Drop In (YDC), Street Outreach and Aftercare, Mental Health, tutoring services, Education and Employment services and housing navigation ensuring youth’s holistic needs are met. This is a senior leadership role and provides support to all programs in carrying out the day-to-day responsibilities in order to fulfill the mission of Covenant House Illinois. As the Director of Clinical & Supportive Services, this position is responsible for clinical training of staff, ensuring that best practices are implemented. At Covenant House Illinois, we provide unconditional love and comprehensive support so that our youth can and will realize their fullest potential. We empower them to finish high school, start college, gain employment, live independently, and ultimately step out into the world knowing they are prepared to be successful.

RESPONSIBILITIES: (Covenant House Illinois reserves the right to unilaterally modify, remove, or add to any of the following)

• Uphold Covenant House Illinois standards of conduct, policies and procedures at all times.
• Uphold CHIL's commitment to centering youth voice in program development and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of our work.
• Possess and maintain knowledge of the needs of youth experiencing homelessness.
• Implement the day-to-day operation of all clinical and supportive services offered to youth including: Street Outreach and Aftercare, Youth Development Center, Clinical Case Management Team, Mental Health Services, Education and Employment Services.
• Oversee the Street Outreach and Aftercare program, the YDC and Education and Employment Services.
• Serves as the Internship supervisor for MA level interns, ensuring contractual requirements are met, unless able to be assigned to the Lead CCM. 
• In conjunction with the HR Manager, conduct interviewing, hiring, performance management/supervision, and annual reviews for assigned staff including interns.
• Monitor and assure data is entered and reported in all required systems, including Efforts to Outcomes, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other city/state/federal data entry systems as needed. 
• Identify staff training needs and provide the training or recommend external training as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison/collaborator for pipeline partnerships and community resources to augment service offerings and assist with building educational, career opportunities to increase youth self-sufficiency with the CPO support.
• Provide high quality programming with content that is thorough and focused so that each interaction provides a valuable takeaway to its audience with each engagement.
• Develop and implement, youth responsive array of clinical case management services, inclusive of life skills programming, groups, etc.
• Attend and participate in all scheduled or mandatory meetings, trainings and supervision sessions as requested, including weekly case review.
• In partnership with the CPO and Director of Residential Services, develop and recommend program procedures and program modifications.
• Monitor all grant requirements to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
• Contribute to planning, budgeting, and participating in events and youth activities.
• On-call Manager on Duty back up during assigned week rotation - respond to crisis calls, emergency calls, and/or other Covenant House Illinois needs within a reasonable time period.
• Oversee the organization and dissemination of the supportive services calendar and the annual Clinical Training Calendar.
• Ensure that CHIL programs are guided by best practices in trauma-informed care, harm reduction, restorative justice, and a strengths-based approach.
• In partnership with the CPO and Development Team, research funding opportunities and participate in hosting funders and stakeholders to support programming efforts.
• Model appropriate, professional behavior for Covenant House Illinois workforce to establish and maintain superior services in a safe and inviting atmosphere.
• In close collaboration with Quality Improvement and Outcomes team, ensure accurate and timely submission of data reflecting deliverables.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• Ability to:
  • Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, supervisors, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
  • Utilize strong communication & interpersonal skills
  • Effectively communicate verbally with both internal and external individuals and/or businesses
  • Work sitting, standing, and/or walking a minimum of 8 hours per day/shift.
  • Lift and move items typically weighing 5-35 pounds
  • Drive agency or personal vehicles to transport items and/or persons (maintain a Valid Illinois Driver’s License with acceptable driving record)
  • Keep abreast of the issues that affect youth and unhoused individuals in Chicago and the state of Illinois
  • Network and build collaborations with other social service agencies in Illinois
  • Travel as needed for training or to fulfill job requirements
  • Possess and maintain a thorough working knowledge of human service delivery systems and resources for our population

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide weekly supervision of all direct reports and include documentation of performance appraisals, recommendation for corrective action and/or development plans.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in social work, education, or related field preferred;
• Five (5) plus years program management experience working with youth and community resources preferred;
• Five (5) plus years supervisory experience preferred; strong managerial and supervisory skills required.
• Illinois clinical license preferred: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor.
• Computer literate with experience in Microsoft Office programs;
• Sufficient health, ability, experience, and education to perform the assigned duties with or without accommodation.