Attendance Case Manager

The Attendance Case Manager is responsible for helping students at risk for truancy and those determined to be excessively truant develop positive patterns of school engagement and work collaboratively with school personnel, families, Truancy Regional Court, and other adults to support the student.

Attendance Case Managers are paired with children who have 3 or more unexcused absences for up to 90 days of service. From within the child’s school, Attendance Case Manager can assist with engaging families, assessing needs, increasing confidence and motivation for success, and providing education, resources, and connection to services.

For students with 10 or more unexcused absences, Attendance Case Managers employ a “ hands-on ” approach to engaging clients, assessing needs, and resolving barriers by conducting business in the client’s home and neighborhood as well as being present with them as they navigate through the judicial system including Regional Truancy Court, and rarely, Family Court appearances.

Attendance Case Managers are client-centered and are empowered with technology to aid in adapting to client needs. Attendance Case Managers may choose to spend much of their work week in the school or field if it will assist in client success. While much of the work is done independently, we believe children thrive in supportive communities and that all our efforts are better together, as such the department also prides itself on a strong sense of teamwork and comradery.

In addition to the responsibilities listed above, the Attendance Case Manager will also ensure that the incentive amounts for the community school is exhausted and community engagement events are scheduled at the school.

This position reports to the Truancy Program Manager . This is a HYBRID position.

The Attendance Case Manager applies the principles of the organization’s signature service delivery approach , Primary Client Model (PCM™), by promoting a positive employee /client- focused experience that is appreciative of the unique strengths, values and needs that each individual brings; and by using data to inform and drive decision making. Attention is given to compliance, quality assurance, and best practices as they relate to the role .

Congreso is committed to attracting and retaining candidates who have a passion for their work and will serve as ambassadors of the agency’s mission, values, and DEI&B vision . We encourage all qualified individuals, including those of diverse backgrounds , differently abled, LGBTQ+, and wome n to apply . Congreso is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential

functions listed below.

• Represents Congreso’s mission, values, and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and will be an ambassador of our work.
• Attendance Case Manager supports the school’s Attendance Team to identify students that need support, removing the barriers to attending school, and slowing or stopping the accrual of absences, ultimately reducing the number of referrals to Regional Truancy Court.
• Collaborate with Community School Coordinators to provide direct support to students that are truant and provide incentives to students to support regular school attendance.
• The Attendance Case Manager will be charged with managing requests for incentives, tracking students, and submitting monthly reports. Each school will have a dedicated budget of $2,500. Incentive plans will be developed with the Community School Coordinator and shared with School Principals.
• Attend Monthly Community School Partner Meetings. Provide support to the Partner meeting on provider agency resources, supporting attendance events , or participating in sub-committees related to attendance initiatives at the school. Meet weekly with the Community School Coordinator. Check-ins should include discussing any events, incentive initiatives, or school-specific successes or challenges.
• Provide individual interventions to identify students from school. The Attendance Case Manager will be expected to provide short-term intervention of no more than thirty (30) days to remove barriers for students attending school regularly.
• For Tier 1: Attendance Case Managers are paired with children who have 6 or more unexcused absences and have had a Student Attendance Improvement Conference (SAIC) for up to 90 days of service. Attendance Case Managers provide intervention to remove attendance barriers by engaging families, assessing needs, increasing confidence and motivation for success, provide education, resources, and connection to services.
• For Tier 2/3 services: conduct outreach to the child’s home and school within time frames dictated by funder . Engage children and their families, complete assessments and provide relevant education and follow-up support to children , families , and schools . Attend all Truancy-related court hearings alongside family. Continue to provide monthly support to the child and family through home and school visits. Continue to support the family until discharged from the program successfully or transferred to more intensive services.
• Adhere to documentation deadlines and be able to express themselves clearly in writing. Attendance Case Managers are to submit written testimony in the form of a Court Report for all hearings. Case Notes are to be entered into digital database systems within 5 days of the contact event. All Case Managers will also maintain a neat and tidy paper file for each case. Ability to navigate the internet and digital data systems required .
• Staff receive bi-weekly supervisory support including one-on-one supervision and team meetings. Staff will also attend trainings and meetings presented by the Department of Human Services, The School District of Philadelphia, Congreso, and other relevant partner agencies. This position will also require professionalism and the ability to positively engage a variety of stakeholders and build professional networks.
• Attendance Case Managers should work closely with schools and Community School Coordinators to determine how often and when Attendance Teams Meetings occur .
  
  

Skills

Competencies ( Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities )

All Staff Competencies

• Basic understanding of Congreso’s mission, values, DEI&B vision, Mission2Impact, Primary Client Model, programs, and services.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the community need s and demographics.
• Ability to understand , acknowledge , and assess client needs to provide a timely , trauma informed approach in service .
• Ensures the appropriate handling of sensitive information and understanding for issues such as confidentiality, domestic abuse, child abuse, and mandated reporter requirements.
• Adheres to all Congreso, departmental, programmatic, and security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Attends all Congreso trainings and in-services as required , including relevant professional groups to maintain professional, requisite knowledge and licensure.
• Attends, participates , and facilitates relevant staff meetings to promote communication and execution of goals.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment , including a variety of common software programs such as Office365 , UNIDAD, and other customized databases .
• Follows through on assignments , works in a timely manner, within established deadlines, and c ompletes special projects specific to the function of the department , a s needed or as directed by s upervisor.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups , in a compassionate, courteous, and respectful manner that fosters an inclusive environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including effective and respectful communication with individuals and groups.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) written and verbal skills a plus .
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Education

Minimum Experience, Education, and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field required .

Minimum Experience

1 year of experience in social work or a related field that includes case management, education , and child welfare experience working with children and youth, juvenile delinquency, and/or families

Certification/License

• Mandated Reporter training certificate required and may be completed post-hire .
• Valid d river’s license required .