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Conduct mobile street outreach to engage and stabilize individuals experiencing homelessness or behavioral health crises in Contra Costa County. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to provide referrals, distribute survival supplies, and assist clients in securing stable housing.
Requirements summary
Requires an associate degree in a related field or a high school diploma with at least 2 years of professional experience with homeless or behavioral health populations. Must possess a valid California driver's license and be able to perform physically demanding field work.
The Coordinated Outreach Referral, Engagement (CORE) program is a public/private partnership with Contra Costa Health Services, Community Response Division (CRD) and Heluna Health and works collaboratively in small teams to engage and stabilize individuals experiencing homelessness and/or behavioral health crises. The Outreach Specialist is responsible for street outreach efforts in Contra Costa County which include building trust with individuals and families that are not being served or are underserved by existing community service delivery systems. The Outreach Specialist works collaboratively to locate, engage, stabilize and house chronically homeless individuals and families, and/or responds to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. The CORE Outreach Specialist plays a key role among a multidisciplinary team which serves to support and stabilize.
Salary
$25.96 - $28.59 Hourly
Essential functions
Conduct mobile and street outreach throughout Contra Costa County. Contract teams work in collaboration with the liaisons, contractors may require fluctuating hours, for the purpose of engaging homeless individuals into services.
Respond to dispatches from contractors and community for contracted locations. Check in daily with contracts/dispatch at beginning and end of shift and on-site personnel when possible to mitigate issues within the community involving the homeless.
Work in close collaboration with the Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime (A3) program, the community or contracting authorities to ensure clients are connected to services requested; provides transportation when needed.
Respond to requests from service agencies, businesses, community groups, and citizens to engage with individuals who need assistance.
Work in close collaboration with the Health Care for the Homeless Program medical staff to engage homeless individuals
Provide guidance to team members, including communicating team goals and identifying areas for new training needed. (safety/paperwork/approach/de-escalation etc.)
Build trust with and assess the needs of unsheltered homeless persons encountered during outreach efforts; make initial contact and develop rapport with homeless adults, youth and families.
Distribute survival supplies including but not limited to food, hygiene supplies, blankets, and socks.
Administer intakes, housing assessments and other forms documentation as needed.
Review and understand program data, as it pertains to reporting out with the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Assist homeless individuals with completing applications for services, transporting them to shelters, services, and other points as needed.
Collaborate with Coordinated Entry programs and other County services to place homeless individuals in housing and enroll them into services.
Provide targeted outreach to individuals who frequent emergency services but are not connected to stable housing and health services.
Must be able to work in the community and meet homeless consumers where they are, which includes but not limited to the woods, under bridges, and in abandoned houses.
Provide necessary referrals and information for temporary housing and community resources.
Provide program materials to community partners around shelter services (outreach to motels, churches, merchants).
Maintain and interact in a culturally sensitive, respectful, and professional demeanor.
Attend and participate in weekly case conferences as part of the county-wide CORE outreach program.
Attend community meetings with other service providers to share program information and coordinate services.
Comply with all policies and procedures guiding the work of this position and the department overall.
Attend training and meetings as required.
All other duties as assigned.
Job qualifications
Knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and psychiatric illnesses, and substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS.
Ability to work well with diverse staff, stigmatized communities and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender and other diversity considerations within all neighborhoods in Contra Costa.
Ability to work successfully both independently and cooperatively.
Professional level competency using Internet, email, and Microsoft Word computer applications.
Ability to use computers/internet to look up information and enter relevant notes.
CPR and first aid certification within 90 days of hire.
With instruction, the ability to assist persons with disabilities and to help transfer a 180lb person and lift wheelchair in and out of a car or van.
Ability to use a computer, phone or office equipment for extended periods of time.
Ability to successfully and efficiently complete tasks in an environment where background noise is present, and interruptions may be constant.
Ability to work fluctuating hours which may include day, swing, or graveyard shifts.
Education/Experience
AA/AS degree in Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field, or
High School degree or equivalent plus a minimum 2-year direct experience working in a professional capacity with homeless, behavioral health or medically complex populations.
Certificates/Licenses/Clearances
Must possess a valid California driver’s license due to driving County vehicle.
Drivers must have a clean record with no infraction/accidents and be 21 years of age or older.
Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities • Desired Qualifications
Bilingual, bicultural in Spanish.
Lived experience of homelessness and/or accessing behavioral health services.
Previous experience or training in street outreach and clinical case management.
Knowledge of Contra Costa County and community resources.
Knowledge of the Contra Costa emergency provider network.
Prior experience with documentation and billing procedures.
Physical demands
Stand: Frequently
Walk: Frequently
Sit: Frequently
Handling / Fingering: Frequently
Reach Outward: Frequently
Reach Above Shoulder: Frequently
Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend: Frequently
Lift / Carry
Frequently - Up to 50 lbs
Push/Pull
Frequently - Up to 50 lbs
See: Constantly
Taste/ Smell: Not Applicable
Not Applicable = Not required for essential functions
Occasionally = (0 - 2 hrs/day)
Frequently = (2 - 5 hrs/day)
Constantly = (5+ hrs/day)
Work environment
Various environments depending on job necessities can include, but not limited to: General Office Setting, Homeless Shelter, field work within Contra Costa County, frequently walking on uneven ground for long distances.
Eeoc statement
It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.
