Job Number:

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing nearly 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office for Students with Disabilities is responsible for student evaluations, creating and monitoring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and working with schools, staff, and families to fulfill these plans toward greater student development and achievement. OSD uses a data-driven approach to best support the needs of each individual student and does so in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Reporting to the Citywide Assessment Team Manager, the citywide Case Manager is responsible for facilitating the entire evaluation process for all non-attending students in the city of Chicago in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This process includes consent/ assessment planning meetings, evaluations, triennial evaluations, eligibility determinations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and 504 plans as needed for children aged 2.6 - 22 years of age. Non-attending students include children aging out of Early Intervention and transitioning to Early Childhood, as well as students referred from Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Child Find Screenings, and students who are parentally placed in Private Schools or who are homeschooled and reside in the City of Chicago.

The Case Manager, Citywide Assessment Team will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Facilitates all special education team meetings including Consent/Assessment Planning, Eligibility, IEP conferences, and 504 plans in accordance with state and federal-mandated timelines and procedures

• Completes all necessary follow-up documents, including but not limited to, School-Assignment Request Forms and Service Plan requests, IEP document

• Provides written contributions, including but not limited to, the following sections of the IEP:

  • Section 7: General Considerations

  • Accommodations & Modifications

  • Provide SPED support by Case Manager

  • Specialized Instruction: Develops appropriate annual goals and benchmarks addressing areas that require educational supports and services, including PLAAFP

• Works closely with CAT Administrator and Team Lead to ensure an effective and seamless evaluation process for all families

• Reviews documentation with the Team to determine and indicate referral decisions in SSM; Communicates referral decision to Private School lead, SESS or CAT Administrator to be sent to the parent; Creates and sends all necessary electronic documents in SSM to parents in a timely manner (same day or within 24 hours of the evaluation)

• Ensures all SSM records (e.g., IEP/504 plan) are completed, thoroughly reviewed, and finalized in a timely manner to meet compliance requirements (e.g. EI to EC transition timelines)

• Completes all Early Intervention Tracking Forms and ECOs in a timely manner when warranted

• Supports completion of multiple cases and/or other administrative duties (e.g, review of files/requests for evaluations) as directed by CAT Administrator on a daily basis; (minimum of 2 cases per day); Interviews, communicates and works cooperatively with parent / guardian, school staff, advocates, and other members of the Team to assist in creating data-driven IEPs

• Tracks returning cases in order to reschedule appointments and ensure that outstanding cases are completed

• Creates Notices of Conferences and completes Referrals as needed

• As necessary, provides developmental screenings and results for children birth – 5 at various regional locations

• Responds professionally to all parent and/or advocate questions and concerns regarding EC and Private Schools

• Maneuvers contentious situations with professionalism. Collaborates with colleagues and CAT Manager to solve challenging situations and provide solutions

• Continues to develop professionally via CPS-offered PDs and independently

• Other duties as assigned.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the Case Manager, Citywide Assessment Team must possess the following qualifications:

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, counseling, or related field from an accredited college or university is required

• Master’s degree preferred

• Valid teaching license/Professional Educator License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with appropriate endorsement(s) (e.g., Early Childhood Specialist Approval) required

• Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) and/or General Administrative endorsement required

Experience Required:

• Minimum of four (4) years experience in school or educational setting as a teacher and/or case manager required

• Experience working with students and families of culturally diverse backgrounds

• Experience with Transition planning through age 21

• Early childhood experience preferred

• Experience with Due Process cases is preferred

• ESL Endorsement preferred

Other Requirements:

• Certification to conduct Child Find Screenings is required by the end of the school year

• Bilingual preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of state and federal timelines and procedures

• Strong oral and written communication skills

• Detail-oriented and organized

• Ability to meet deadlines, multi-task between assessments/meetings, and respond to requests based upon priority and complexity

• Professional ability with time management (e.,g., reporting to work on time)

• Knowledge of CPS Early Childhood Special Education programs

• Deep understanding of school-aged and EC IEP/504 Plan development

• Expert with group facilitation skills

• Knowledge of CPS operating systems including, but not limited to: SSM, Aspen, etc.

• Proficient in Google Docs, Microsoft Office Applications

• Ability to collaborate and be a creative problem solver and team player

• Ability to have shared ownership of work and expected outcomes

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, team members, students, parents, and advocates

• Ability to promote and encourage parental involvement and participation.

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with multiple stakeholders

Benefits:

Health & Wellness: Your Care, Your Choice

CPS is committed to providing comprehensive health coverage to our employees and their eligible dependents. You'll have access to a variety of choices to best fit your needs:

Medical Plan Options

Pharmacy

Dental

Vision

Behavioral Health & EAP

Employee Wellness Program

Financial Security: Planning for Today and Tomorrow

We understand the importance of financial stability, which is why CPS offers strong retirement and savings options:

Basic Life Insurance

Life and Disability Insurance

Pension Plans

Supplemental Retirement Plans (403(b) and 457(b))

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Spot Pet Insurance

Work-Life Balance: Supporting Your Personal and Professional Life

CPS values the well-being of its employees and offers competitive paid time off policies:

Paid Leave

Sick Leave

Vacation Days

Parental Leaves

Short-Term Disability

Religious Holidays

Leaves

Reference the Chicago Public Schools: A Comprehensive Benefits Overview or the benefits handbook for comprehensive details.

Conditions of Employment

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to:

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.