Pre-Release Reentry Navigator

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 Pre-Release Reentry Navigator is a member of the Supportive Reentry Network Collaborative (SRNC), a multidisciplinary team dedicated to serving individuals prior and post release from incarceration. This position involves providing navigation services at Cook County Jail, Illinois Department of Corrections and Safer Foundation IDOC Adult Transition Centers. The Navigator plays a key role in connecting clients to resources that support a successful transition back into the community.

The Navigator is responsible for conducting brief assessments, completing initial registration and screening, and assisting clients in identifying appropriate services pre-release and upon release. The role requires timely responsiveness, with all consents and referrals from Cook County Jail, Illinois Department of Corrections and Safer Foundation IDOC Adult Transition Centers addressed within 24–48 business hours. The Navigator will determine the next appropriate steps based on client needs and ensure connections to supportive services are established.

The Pre-Release Reentry Navigator will be required to successfully pass a background check as a condition of employment in order to perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

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 consent/referrals within 24-48 hours.
• Weekly visits to Cook County Jail, and Safer Foundation's IDOC Adult Transition Centers
• Facilitate presentation of services to Illinois Department of Corrections.
• Conduct intake assessment to identify immediate and short-term needs.
• Utilize Salesforce and/or other database(s) to register clients.
• Complete referrals to Safer Foundation's IDOC Adult Transition Centers residents with service providers
• Referrals to medical, behavioral health, housing, and emergency housing agencies to assist participants with immediate needs upon their release.
• Co-create individualized service plans and provide cross-systems navigation to all participants and monthly service plan progress review.
• Assist participants with identifying and addressing external barriers to achieving set goals listed in the service plan upon their release.
• Advocate for participants in areas including but not limited to reentry, at risk for violence, and/or at risk for homelessness, upon release.
• Complete Medicaid/SNAP applications and, as necessary, assist with coverage redeterminations for recently released or whose benefits have lapsed, upon release.
• Based on emergent needs, assist clients with a range of services, such as housing, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, legal aid in preparation to reenter society.

Stakeholder Outreach and Recruitment

• Participate in any other duties assigned that are needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and abide by our organization's values.
• 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.
• Complete weekly visits to Cook County Jail, Illinois Department of Corrections and Safer Foundation IDOC Adult Transition Centers.
• Complete monthly/quarterly presentation to Illinois Department of Corrections.

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 bi-weekly to confirm compliance with all internal and external referrals upon release.
• All Safer standards are adhered to, including productivity standards.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to represent Safer Foundation professionally while developing rapport with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Travel: 40% travel requirement; Routinely travel to various locations (e.g., client sites, other company offices, business events) for various durations.
• 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 the following areas: behavioral health, reentry, corrections, and medical/primary health.
• Knowledge of Medicaid in the state of Illinois as well as other public benefits.
• Knowledge about resources in the community for formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Knowledge 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 2 years' experience working as a case manager in a social service setting or 3 years' experience working in Reentry social services.
• 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.).
• Knowledge in leveraging 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.
• 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.

Safer Foundation is a drug-free workplace.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Minorities/Females/Veterans

No Phone Calls Please

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.