Manager Of Social Services

Organization Overview

Nourishing Hope, formerly known as Lakeview Pantry, is a dynamic Chicago nonprofit providing food and social services for anyone in need. Founded in 1970, we’re one of the largest and longest operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago. We also provide free, trauma-informed mental health counseling and other social services, such as job and housing assistance. We strive to serve the needs of the whole person — with respect and dignity, always.

Nourishing Hope offers our neighbors nutritious food using a choice-based distribution model and access to life-changing social services including:

• Monthly food distribution and additional produce pickup through five different food access programs;
• Home delivery services for older adults, homebound neighbors and neighbors living with disabilities;
• Social services including case management, mental health counseling, job search support, domestic violence intervention, referrals and public benefits assistance (SNAP, healthcare, government forms) for anyone in need.

Nourishing Hope serves tens of thousands of people each year, providing more than 4 million meals through our programs, in addition to partnerships with other community organizations. This year, Nourishing Hope will provide about 200,000 food and social services to our Chicago neighbors.

Position Summary

The Manager of Social Services is responsible for overseeing the social services program at Nourishing Hope. This position’s primary focus is managing administrative and clinical oversight, while continuing to provide direct case management services to Nourishing Hope clients.

This position will also have an opportunity to develop additional programming, specifically implementing medicaid billing with the department, that continues to provide trauma-informed care to Nourishing Hope clients and the greater Nourishing Hope community. This position will support the Director of Social Services in program tracking, assessment, evaluation, and reporting to the greater Nourishing Hope community. 

Locations

This position reports out of Nourishing Hope Sheridan location, 3945 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervise social services staff and social services interns by providing individuals with administrative and clinical insight.

• Work with the Director of Mental Wellness and Social Services and the social services staff to modify and implement procedures to programming that better serve Nourishing Hope clients based on need.

• Work with the Director of Mental Wellness and Social Services to continue growth of social services programming at Nourishing Hope, including, but not limited to: implementing procedures around medicaid billing for the social services department.

• Case management includes, but is not limited to: coordinating health care with primary care providers, crisis support, employment support, applying for and maintaining public benefits (Medicaid, Cash Assistance, SNAP), and connecting to mental health services, and providing resources to families and children.

• Coordinate with local social service providers/case managers to provide social services to clients and refer clients to appropriate services as assessed.

• Collaborate with the Nourishing Hope program team to ensure client needs are met when receiving services, by identifying and addressing potential barriers to access to services.

• Maintain accurate client case records that include assessments, interventions, service plans, and case notes in Azzly and in Salesforce as appropriate.

• Respond to inquiries from the community members about services and refer to internal and external programs as appropriate.

• Participate in management meetings with other department heads to continue collaborative work through different departments.

• Work collaboratively with all Nourishing Hope team members, recognizing the importance of each department and role to ultimately provide quality services to Nourishing Hope clients.

• Stay informed on local, state, and federal policies and trends and the impact on clients.

• Participate in community meetings, trainings, gatherings, and events to act as a steward on behalf of Nourishing Hope and to seek resources that can be helpful for clients.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or counseling required.

• Illinois state license LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT

• Minimum two years’ experience working in a human services setting engaged in direct client work with experience billing Medicaid for services.

• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Products.

• Strong human relations skills.

• Understanding of the widespread impact of food insecurity and a willingness to work as a part of a team to ensure access to food and support services for all.

• Understanding of the impact of social determinants, institutionalized discrimination, structural inequality, and oppression of social groups including but not limited to: race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, veteran status, religion, age, and ability status, and the ability to identify how systems have impacted clients and intervene accordingly.

• Understanding of and belief in the importance of trauma-informed care practice.

• Creative and motivated self-starter.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

• Ability to handle volatile situations calmly, professionally, and respectfully.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule to support the needs of clinical staff and interns.

Background Check

Because we are a Medicaid provider all applicants who are offered employment with Nourishing Hope will be subject to a background screening. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background screening conducted in accordance with Nourishing Hope policy and federal, state and local law.