Job Title: Care Coordinator

Organization: The Free Root Operation, Inc.

Location: Chicago, IL

Job Type: In-person/ Hybrid

Schedule: 20 hours/ week. Weekly schedule is customizable based on workload and programming. Regular shifts should at least partially fall between a 9a-3p window. Evening and weekend availability required.

Compensation: $28/ hr, 20 hrs/ week

Start Date: October 7th, 2024

Free Root Operation is a budding nonprofit that serves Black single mothers and women, often erased from gun violence advocacy, as a public safety infrastructure. We address the root causes of gun violence through wellness programming, cultural activations, and a method of critical care, which are substantiated by research centering community wisdom. We take an innovative approach that serves as the nexus between championing Black women and their families and preventative measures of poverty-induced gun violence that demands integration into culture. Our operation is to restore communities impacted by poverty-induced gun violence to safe, abundant, and liberated sites of Oasis.

Our flagship program, the BLOOM Cohort is our most extensive level of care, addressing the root causes of gun violence by providing wrap-around services. Over the course of 6-months participants receive 60 hours of in-person support, 10+ hours of free counseling, and over 20 educational and experiential wellness events ranging from art therapy to nature retreats to Broadway plays and more. Participants work with a licensed clinical social worker, to work toward personal and professional objectives. Each participant receives 10+ hours of free mental health counseling services, 3 family counseling sessions, health-related social needs care management, and support related to completing a SMART goal to improve quality of life. Participants also graduate the program with a Certificate in Leadership and Professional Development and are celebrated at an in-person graduation.

The Care Coordinator position represents a significant enhancement of our care services within the BLOOM Cohort, ensuring robust mental health support and resource acquisition for program participants. This role is designed for a Social Worker who will provide counseling services under the direction of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and coordinate mental health and wellness services as integral components of our programming. Care Coordinators will work with cohort participants to enhance their well-being, progress in the program, and address social determinants of health.A Care Coordinator is a great fit for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, values service excellence, and loves working directly with people.

Key Responsibilities:

Implement individualized care plans for a client base of 15 women in the BLOOM Cohort at a time.
Conduct 10 hours of counseling sessions with each member of their client base over a six-month period.
Conduct 30-minute weekly sessions with cohort participants to assess well-being, program progress, and social determinants of health.
Assist participants in executing any relevant care-based assignments.
Collect, interpret, and synthesize information about participants’ social history, community environment, family dynamics, economic differences, and other relevant factors.
Collaborate with the Director of Care to create and implement actionable wellness plans based on collected information and participant goals.
Support participants in setting and achieving SMART goals within a six-month timeframe, providing guidance and psychological coaching as needed.
Lead research, acquisition, and follow through of referrals to address basic needs and social determinants of health.
Conduct administrative tasks relevant to case management.
Work with a social work practicum student to best support program participants.
Conduct reports for and meetings with the Director of Care.
Participate in bi-monthly Flower Hour open clinics to provide services to women outside of the BLOOM Cohort.
Attendance at BLOOM Cohort events, as needed.

Qualifications:

Social worker with a Master’s of Social Work degree (MSW) from an accredited university with a minimum of 5 years of experience in counseling and community support.
Experience working with diverse populations, particularly women from disenfranchised backgrounds.
Strong counseling skills with a focus on empowering individuals to achieve their goals.
Ability to collect and analyze social and behavioral data to inform care plans and interventions.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively.
Proficiency in conducting counseling sessions and facilitating group discussions.
Commitment to the mission and values of Free Root Operation, with a passion for social justice and community empowerment.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and evidence-based counseling practices.
Experience in goal-setting methodologies, such as SMART goals, and supporting individuals in achieving them.
Familiarity with community resources and services for referral purposes.
Effective communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with participants.

Notes of Importance:

Many of our program participants are single mothers and all of them are working class. It is likely their availability will be outside of work hours.
Free Root Operation is a Black woman-led and community-oriented organization. Our work seeks to empower Black and Brown communities to be sustainable and self-fulfilling. We welcome all applicants who are in alignment with our mission and vision.
Flexible scheduling may be required to accommodate participant needs, including occasional evening or weekend hours.
Position currently based in Woodlawn, with occasional travel within the community. Remote work requests may be accommodated, as needed.
This position will begin as a hybrid position while Free Root Operation works to move into a semi-permanent brick and mortar space.

Benefits:

Vacation Time
Personal Leave
Sick Leave
Opportunity to work with and serve Black women

For more information about this position or to apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and two professional references to: Executive Director, Eva Maria Lewis: eva@freerootoperation.com.

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Care Coordinator