The Safer Foundation is a social service provider to individuals with arrest and conviction records. Through a full range of services, including case management, educational instruction and advocacy, we focus on preparing individuals for the world of work by helping them find and keep productive and meaningful employment.
General Summary
The Reentry Navigator is a member of the ICJIA Working 4 Peace (W4P) team, a multi-disciplinary team engaged in outreach, referral response, brief screening referral and intervention, case management, and warm handoffs, concerning individuals released from jail or prison or who otherwise have an arrest and/or conviction record. The Reentry Navigator will respond to individuals from the community and/or within 24-48 hours of the scheduled release date. S/he will complete the initial registration, screening, and determine appropriate steps for referrals to externally or internally program partners.
Performance Results Description
The Position is properly performed when all essential duties and responsibilities are executed by following the Safer Values.
Exceeding Expectations, Communication and Collaboration, Integrity, and Evidence Based Innovation.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Stakeholder Interface
Respond to referrals within 24-48 hours.
Conduct intake risk-needs assessments of participants to identify immediate and short-term needs, considering their preferred services, location, insurance and justice status, and other relevant factors.
Review referrals to determine immediate and short-term needs, considering desired services, geography, client preference, insurance status, justice supervision status, and other relevant factors. Using Salesforce and/or other database(s), register clients into the system.
Coordinate with medical, behavioral health, housing, and emergency housing agencies to assist participants with immediate assistance.
Co-create individualized service plans and provide cross-systems navigation to all participants and monthly service plan progress review.
Provide ongoing resources surrounding primary healthcare and overall wellness services.
Assist participants and their families (as needed) in identifying and addressing external barriers to achieving set goals listed in the service plan.
Advocate for participants and their families in areas including but not limited to reentry, at risk for violence, and/or at risk for homelessness.
Conduct outreach to make contact, leveraging collateral contacts or other involved parties.
Directly complete Medicaid/SNAP applications and, as necessary, assist with coverage redeterminations for recently released or whose benefits have lapsed.
Based on emergent and expressed needs, assist clients with a range of services, such as housing, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, legal aid, and necessities, to assist in their reintegration into society and employment.
Uphold client file compliance through prompt documentation completion, conducting self and peer reviews of client files.
Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment
Under the manager's direction, attend and participate in all identified outreach activities, community events as well as negotiate and establish new relationships with other agencies that welcome and are sensitive to the needs of the formerly incarcerated population.
Works closely with Safer Foundation’s community network partners, hotline responders, SCWC staff members, clinical staff, reentry navigators/case managers, and another internal staff member to support program participants.
Tracking, Document and Reporting
Complete all client documentation in a timely manner of service delivery.
Ensure accurate data entry by completing mandatory self-file reviews weekly.
Engage in individual supervision with the manager identifying any immediate client needs or barriers to the reentry work/tasks given.
Maintain compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations for clients' protected information.
Attend internal and external multi-disciplinary staffing’s.
Participate in all internal and external meetings bringing forth innovative ideas and/or feedback supporting continuous quality improvement and service delivery.
In Salesforce, monitor referrals and follow-up for all internal and external referrals.
All Safer standards are adhered to, including productivity standards.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Ability to represent Safer Foundation professionally while developing a rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of common concepts, issues, and best practices concerning reentry populations.
Knowledge of computer-based and web-based applications (Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)
Knowledgeable in providing case management services in one or more of the following areas: behavioral health, reentry, corrections, and medical/primary health.
Knowledgeable about Medicaid in Illinois as well as other public benefits.
Knowledgeable about resources in the community for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Knowledgeable about housing resources and eligibility requirements for various housing types
Ability to troubleshoot and problem-solve.
Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
Skilled in social perceptiveness.
Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making
Skilled in de-escalation techniques and conflict resolution
Telephone etiquette skills.
Data entry skills
Education And Experience
Associate degree with 3 years’ experience working as a case manager in a social service setting required. Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience working as a case manager in a social service setting preferred.
Individuals with direct lived experience welcomed.
Experience working with individuals recently released from jail/prisons is preferred.
Experience referring clients to a network of community-based providers and resources.
Experience completing applications for public benefits.
Experience in substance use/mental health or care coordination.
Experience in working on virtual platforms (salesforce, google, DocuSign, etc.) preferred.
Knows how to leverage the internet and computer applications to obtain information.
Experience using software/database to document services and progress notes.
Skilled in active listening and conveying information to others effectively.
Skilled in critical thinking, judgment, and decision-making.
In-depth practical knowledge of HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and Rule 2060 governing substance use treatment services in Illinois; Knowledge of Rule 132 is a plus.