School Network Staff Network Case Manager
Job Description
Position Title: Network Case Manager (2022-23SY)
F.T.E: 1.0
Location: Chicago, IL
Reports To: Director of Student Services
Start Date: August 2022
The Mission of Distinctive Schools, an educational practice leader committed to social justice and the elevation of access and achievement in historically marginalized communities, is to support each child in becoming an engaged and curious learner, a confident self-advocate, and a creative problem-solver by setting high expectations and nurturing a positive culture that honors diversity, collaboration, and optimism.
Position Description:
Case Manager will exemplify content knowledge to collaborate with classroom teachers in planning units that integrate learning and are aligned with the Core academic standards. Case Manager will work closely with the school team to supervise students according to their Individualized Education Plan (IEP). By implementing this plan, staff will help the students develop their full potential, while systematically increasing their socially appropriate behavior. This person will:
Case Management: Development and Compliance:
- Serving as the local school district representative at all required meetings under the IDEA and serving as the 504 Coordinator for all meetings under Section 504
- Fulfilling all the Roles & Responsibilities delineated in the ODLSS Procedural Manual for the local school district representative
- Ensuring all IDEA and Section 504 timelines are met
- Ensuring that all parental notices and consents for Full and Individual Evaluations and placements are processed and provided in the native language where feasible and placed in the student temporary files
- Sending parents/guardians copy of draft IEP materials and if applicable paraprofessional, ESY ,and Learning Environment Intervention forms, along with copies of all other conducted evaluations and any other collected data at least five school days prior to the meeting
- Ensuring an interpreter is invited to all IEP and 504 conferences (including initial and reevaluation eligibility determination meetings, and annual reviews) for parents who are limited English proficient
- Coordinating all referrals for a Full and Individual Evaluation (FIE) to ensure that all required components are addressed and that the process is completed within 60 school days after receiving signed parental consent, including but not limited to, referrals for Assistive Technology/Alternative-Augmentative Communication evaluations or functional behavioral assessments (FBAs)
- Ensuring that IEP teams are utilizing qualitative and quantitative data when making service decisions in the development of an IEP
- Finalizing each student’s IEP or 504 Plan in the SSM at the meeting and providing the student’s families with a copy
- Assisting the school’s scheduler/programmer with programming all students with disabilities in accordance with their IEPs
- In collaboration with the Instructional Leadership Team, scheduling paraprofessionals in accordance with students’ IEPs and 504 Plans
- In collaboration with the Instructional Leadership Team, scheduling Special Education Teachers and Diverse Learners in accordance with students’ IEPs
- In collaboration with the Director of Student Services & principal, overseeing and ensuring the implementation of all IEPs and 504 Plans for each student with disabilities in the school
- In collaboration with the Director of Student Services, training and supporting school staff regarding the implementation of the IDEA and Section 504 requirements
- Ensuring that all relevant student data is entered into SSM in a timely manner
- Arranging special education and related services for a student within the school in accordance with the students IEP and contacting ODLSS to arrange assignment in another school if necessary to implement the IEP
- Consulting with the Director of Student Services & ODLSS District Representative regarding students who require low-incidence services or regarding problems that develop in the implementation of procedures
Building Partnership/ Stakeholder Relations:
- Attending all ODLSS professional development and meetings targeted at supporting the case manager/local school district representative
- Convening and chairing IEP and 504 conferences (including initial and reevaluation eligibility determination meetings, and annual reviews) and acting as the District Representative
Requirements:
Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in special education
OR
- Master’s degree in educational administration
Qualifications:
- A valid Professional Educator License (PEL) the following areas: Special Education (PK-Age 21) endorsement
- Expertise in special education curriculum and service provision
- Knowledge of general education curriculum
- Demonstrated understanding of the individual needs of students with disabilities from a variety of language and cultural backgrounds
- Strong knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding the delivery of special education and related services
- Knowledge of intervention and assessment strategies for disabled and non-disabled students
- Knowledge of multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS or RTI)
- Proof of full vaccination for Covid-19
Physical Demands:
- Generally, the job requires 30% sitting, 50% walking, and 20% standing. Operate a computer, hand-held learning devices and other office equipment.
Why Join the Distinctive Schools Team:
- We are a collaborative team of professionals supporting each other to instill a love of learning in our students
- We empower students, families and staff to contribute to our mission in a meaningful way
- We make an impact in our communities by serving some of the most historically marginalized in the city
- We offer a great benefits package for full time employees (Medical; Dental; Vision; PTO; 403b match, discounted gym membership, tuition reimbursement options, referral bonus)
Distinctive Schools is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other personal characteristic protected by applicable law.
