The YMCA of San Diego County is seeking a compassionate, skilled, and mission-driven Re-Entry Case Manager to join our Housing Our Youth (HOY) program. This position supports Transition Age Youth (TAY), ages 18–24, who are justice-involved and experiencing or at risk of homelessness upon release from custody. Many youth served by the program have experienced significant trauma and may also have cognitive, neurological, or functional challenges, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or behavioral health conditions. While not every participant will have these diagnoses, the Re-Entry Case Manager plays an important role in assessing each youth's unique strengths and needs, coordinating individualized support, and helping young people successfully transition from custody into stable housing and community-based services.

As a Social Work Case Manager, you will maintain a caseload of approximately 15 youth while building trusting relationships that begin before release and continue throughout each young person's transition into the community. You will work closely with correctional facilities, probation, housing providers, behavioral health professionals, education and employment partners, and other community organizations to develop individualized transition plans, connect youth to housing and supportive services, and promote long-term stability. This role follows Housing First, Positive Youth Development, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction principles to support youth in achieving their goals.

This position requires regular entry into county correctional facilities to meet with youth prior to release, participate in discharge planning, conduct assessments, and coordinate successful community transitions. Staff must be comfortable working within secure correctional environments, follow all facility security procedures, and maintain professional relationships with Sheriff's Department personnel and facility staff. As a condition of employment, candidates must successfully pass the San Diego County Sheriff's Department background investigation and obtain facility clearance to enter correctional institutions.

The Social Work Case Manager must also be eligible to become a YMCA-approved driver and possess a valid California driver's license. Transportation is a critical component of this role, as staff will frequently assist youth with transportation from custody to housing placements, appointments, employment, education, and other essential services that support successful reintegration into the community.

*This is a grant-funded position expected to run through February 2028, with potential for extension*

Learn more about YMCA Youth and Family Services programs CLICK HERE 

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org) 

SCHEDULE:

• This position is Monday – Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM, with weekends and afterhours as needed

WORK DESIGNATION: 

• In-Person - City Heights YMCA location

• County wide travel required

  • Please note that the work designation may change based on business needs.

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The Housing Our Youth (HOY) program provides comprehensive services to youth experiencing homelessness, with a focus on helping them achieve long-term stability and independence. Through a combination of temporary emergency shelter, long-term supportive housing, case management, and access to healthcare, education, and employment resources, HOY creates individualized pathways to housing and self-sufficiency. The Re-Entry component of HOY specifically serves justice-involved youth preparing to transition from custody back into the community by engaging youth prior to release, coordinating discharge planning, and providing intensive housing navigation and wraparound support.

• Build trusting relationships with youth prior to release from custody and provide ongoing support as they transition into the community

• Conduct strengths-based assessments and develop individualized housing stabilization and transition plans

• Assist youth in accessing stable housing, healthcare, behavioral health services, education, employment, benefits, and other essential community resources

• Coordinate care through warm handoffs and ongoing collaboration with correctional staff, probation, housing providers, behavioral health professionals, and community partners

• Provide transportation from correctional facilities to housing placements, appointments, and other supportive services as needed

• Support youth in developing independent living skills, self-advocacy, and long-term housing stability

• Maintain timely documentation, case notes, assessments, and program reporting requirements while ensuring compliance with YMCA and funding expectations

• Serve as a resource to colleagues and community partners by promoting best practices for working with justice-involved youth and young adults with complex cognitive, behavioral, or functional support needs

• Assessment and case planning with each participant; Coordinate case planning with participants and collaborating agencies; Provide services, advocacy and referrals based on participants’ needs through a supportive approach 
• Conduct participant-screening interviews and assess service needs in various settings 
• Employ critical thinking, problem solving and conflict management during crisis response and interventions 
• Facilitate activities individually and in a group setting that promotes life skill development and provide support to participants in relational wellness, positive self-concept and gaining employment and school opportunities among other areas through case management services, workshops, and normative activities 
• Create innovative ways to meet contract goals and provide a high level of service that is engaging and meets the needs of the participants 
• Keep well-written, concise case notes to include all pertinent information for each participant using required tracking systems; Maintain organized records and case files for all participants 
• Position may require the transport of participants in a YMCA vehicle to and from activities and appointments as needed; Practice non-aggressive defensive driving techniques; Operate YMCA vehicles in safe manner; Vehicle use is for YMCA business only 
• Perform other administrative tasks as assigned and assist with maintaining proper document storage of confidential information and auditing 
• Ensure that YMCA policies & procedures and applicable laws are always adhered to 
• Participate in and attend all required staff meetings, trainings, YMCA staff development events, and appropriate agency-wide committees 

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have access to reliable transportation to travel regularly throughout San Diego County  
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel

• Bachelor's degree in social science, psychology or a related field and equivalent work experience of up to one year required
• Experience working with justice-involved youth and/or youth with specialized needs is preferred
• Experience working with youth impacted by substance use is preferred
• CADC certification or equivalent training in substance use support is a plus
• Must pass a background check (within 90 days of employment at the YMCA) through the Sheriff’s and Probation Departments to access facilities
• Must be eligible to become a YMCA-certified driver to transport youth
• Strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills with a trauma-informed, youth-centered approach
• Knowledge or experience of providing social work practices to individuals and families 
• Basic computer knowledge and skills  

JOB COMPETENCIES: 

• Ability to practice independent judgment critical thinking and self-regulation skills during high stress situations 
• Work effectively with a wide variety of people and populations by consistently exercising tact and good judgement  
• Work independently and within a team, be flexible, adapt, and manage multiple assignments 

PRE-HIRE CONTINGENCIES:

• Licensing, state law and our funders require that applicants of critical positions within Community Support Services be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications   
• Undergoing a background check by the Sheriff's Department and the Probation Department. This background check is necessary to gain access to local jails and juvenile halls for meeting with referred Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) prior to their release
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, within 30 days of hire, and must be from one of the following certifying organizations: American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute 
• Position will require additional clearances in order to comply with all program, licensing, state law, and funding requirements:  
  
  • Negative TB test results obtained within the past one year, prior to first day, and annually thereafter, as required  
  • Pass pre-employment drug testing prior to first day  
  • Exclusion and Debarment checks prior to first day and monthly thereafter  
  • Must be 21 years of age or older with a valid CA Driver’s License, a good driving record and a current CDL H6 print-out (must be dated within 30 days of application) and pass vehicle proficiency exam 

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.