• You enjoy helping others succeed: You’ll support people through difficult times and help them build a better future.

• You like solving problems: Every day is different, and you’ll use creative thinking to connect people to resources.

• You want to make a difference: Your work helps people stay healthy, safe, and supported in their community.

• You care about mental health and recovery: You’ll be part of a team that helps people heal and thrive.

• You want a great starting point: Care Coordination roles allow you to learn a lot about behavioral health and community organizations. It’s a great place to start your career!

Care coordinators and case managers change lives by providing support, building trust, and guiding people to the services they need.

With a high school diploma/GED or higher: 

• Case Manager

A Case Manager helps people with mental health or substance use challenges get the support they need to live well. They meet with clients, listen to their needs, and help them access services like housing, employment resources, or counseling. They also teach life skills and check in regularly to make sure things are going well and progress is being made. 

With a bachelor's  degree or higher: 

• Care Coordinator/Care Manager

A Care Coordinator helps people get the care and support they need, but they don’t usually provide the services themselves. Instead, they work behind the scenes to connect clients with doctors, counselors, or treatment programs. For example, at an insurance company, a Care Coordinator might help someone find a mental health provider covered by their plan, explain what services are available, and make sure the person gets follow-up care.

• Wraparound Facilitator

A Wraparound Facilitator helps children and families who are going through tough times. They bring together a team of people—like teachers, counselors, and family members—to create a plan that supports the child’s mental health, education, and daily life. The facilitator makes sure everyone works together and that the plan fits the child’s unique needs.

With a master's degree or higher: 

• Clinical Case Manager

A Clinical Case Manager is a licensed professional, like a social worker, counselor or nurse, who helps people with mental health or addiction problems. They can do things like create treatment plans, give assessments, and provide in-depth care coordination and support. This model goes beyond traditional case management by offering more oversight and integration into the client's overall care plan. Clinical case managers work closely with doctors and other care team members to support the client’s health. 

Other job titles you may see:

• Crisis Case Manager

• Discharger Planner

• Utilization Manager

• Continuity of Care Manager

• Integrated Care Manager

Care coordinator jobs let you help people in many different ways. You can focus on mental health, addiction, family support, or other areas you care about—and there’s lots of room to grow in the field!

• Assess needs: Talk with clients to learn what support they need.

• Create care plans: Work with clients and providers to make a plan for treatment and services.

• Promote healthy lifestyle changes: They implement interventions that promote healthy lifestyle choices, like diet and exercise, to improve overall health. 

• Skill development: Support skill development in areas such as coping, goal-setting, money management, organization, communication, independent living, job readiness, medication management and self-advocacy.

• Connect to services: Help clients access mental health care, housing, food, transportation, and more.

• Follow up: Stay in touch to make sure services are working and needs are being met.

• Advocate: Speak up for clients and help them navigate complex systems.

Care Coordinators are the link between clients and the help they need to stay well.

• Community mental health centers

• Hospitals and primary care offices

• Addiction recovery programs

• Schools and youth services

• Social service agencies

• Residential treatment programs and group homes

• Foster care agencies

• Correctional facilities and reentry programs

• Insurance companies

• Local government agencies

• Homeless shelters

They work in many places, always focusing on helping people stay healthy and supported.

• People with mental health conditions: help manage symptoms and connect individuals to counseling and support.

• People recovering from substance use: guide clients through treatment and recovery plans.

• Youth and families: support young people and their families with services at school, home, or in the community.

• Older adults: assist with care planning, medical needs, and daily living support.

• People with disabilities: coordinate health, education, and community services to support independence.

• People experiencing homelessness or involved in the justice system: connect individuals to housing, healthcare, and reentry programs for a fresh start.

They serve people who need extra support to live healthy, stable lives.

To pursue a career in Care Coordination, you typically need:

• A high school diploma or GED: Some entry-level roles accept a high school diploma plus experience or training.

• A college degree: Many jobs require an associate's or bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, nursing, or a related field.

• Licensure: Advanced roles may require a master’s degree in order to obtain a clinical license.

The more education and training you have, the more career opportunities you'll find.

Although not be required for all positions, some may be open only to those with credentials such as: 

• Certified Peer Supporter

• Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) certification

• Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC Il and LCDC III) 

• Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC)

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW) and Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

• Registered Nurse (RN) 

• Certified Case Manager (CCM)

Getting the right credential helps you follow state rules and shows others that you’re a trusted professional.

Click here to learn more about licenses, credentials, and certifications.