The Outreach Specialist provides engagement and behavioral health services to individuals experiencing homelessness in encampments and shelters. They facilitate linkages to community resources, provide transportation, and assist clients with independent living skills and wellness planning.
Requirements summary
Requires a High School Diploma or GED and a valid California Driver's License with insurance and 3+ years of driving experience. Lived experience with mental health challenges or homelessness is highly valued, along with knowledge of public assistance programs.
high schoolCase ManagementOutreachAdvocacyHIPAA ComplianceCrisis InterventionRapport BuildingMandated ReportingActive ListeningIndependent Living SkillsBehavioral Health ServicesCommunity CollaborationResource Linkage
Job description
Are you a passionate and motivated individual eager to make a positive impact in the community? Hope Cooperative is a well-respected, award-winning nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive mental health and supportive housing services across Sacramento County. We’re seeking compassionate, dedicated individuals to join our team and support the most vulnerable in our community.
Position Title
Outreach Specialist Program(s) and Location: CORE Howe (Sacramento, CA) Schedule: Full-time, Non-Exempt, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday 8:00am-5:00pm (may require working some evenings and weekend schedules) Pay rate: $25.35 hourly
About the Position
The Outreach Specialist will support outreach, engagement and linkage work by collaborating closely with homeless outreach teams; including but not limited to: support rapport building processes by participating in a joint outreach session, organized by the homeless outreach teams at clients’ residences or clients’ location of choice.
Engage with and provide behavioral health services to individuals experiencing literal homelessness in the places they identify as home, e.g. encampments, shelters, cars.
Support linkages by providing community-based services, transportation to office-based services, and training for clients experiencing homelessness.
This includes training on public transportation and respect for the clients’ encampment residence, belongings, and the stress associated with leaving behind their home and belongings.
Many clients in this program are homeless individuals and families who require assistance and advocacy in securing food, shelter, clothing, and financial assistance as well as behavioral and primary health care services.
Essential
Duties & Responsibilities
Support clients and/or family members with active listening, demonstration of empathy and carry a message of hope and recovery and empower clients in meeting their identified goals.
Collaborate the community of service providers in coordinating and providing services for clients.
Collaborate with law enforcement and the business community with a solution focused mindset.
Observe, assess, intervene and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues.
Assist in linking clients and/or family members with resources in the community per the client plan.
Benefits
Accident Insurance
Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Account
Referral Bonuses
Voluntary Life Insurance
Leadership Development
401k match
Voluntary Vision Insurance
HSA Contributions
PTO Cash Out
Reimbursements
Company laptop
Voluntary Dental Insurance
11 paid holidays
CEU allowance
1 Personal Day
Employer-paid health insurance
Company iPhone
Government Loan Forgiveness Programs
CEU days
21 PTO days per year
26 PTO days after the 5th year
6 days paid sick time
Regular wage step scale increases
Flexible start/end times
Clinical Supervision towards licensure
Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
Annual Gift Card Program
Assist clients in developing and following a wellness plan unique to their needs and desires.
Assist member with various independent living skills: house cleaning, laundry, food preparation, hygiene, yard work, budgeting money, shopping, medication management and safety.
Provide/Assist the clients with transportation in personal vehicle as necessary.
Meet with clients and/or family members in the community and their homes, and attend meetings to ensure continuity of care for clients.
Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, ViSpdat, HMIS etc.).
Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes “Duty to Warn” which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.
Ensure the protection and confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) by following all policies and procedures in the Agency HIPAA Manual.
Qualifications
Lived experience as a mental health consumer or a family member of a mental health consumer or as someone who has experienced homelessness.
Ability and willingness to work with people experiencing homelessness where they are in encampments, on the street, or in shelters.
Work experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse) is highly desirable.
Knowledge of 12-Step Programs and/or personal experience with substance abuse recovery is highly desirable.
Demonstrated knowledge of General Assistance, Food Stamps, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, Unemployment Insurance, and SSI/SSDI regulations
High School Diploma or GED required
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Possess a valid California Driver’s License and current vehicle insurance. Driving records must meet, and continue to meet, the underwriting standards established by the generalized driving guidelines used by our insurance broker. Must provide proof of insurance.
Must have at least 3 or more years of driving experience.
Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements
Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) background screenings
Consumer of mental health services or a family member of a mental health consumer is desirable
Work overtime as requested and approved, including after-hours duty as needed
Benefits
HOPE Cooperative (also known as TLCS, Inc.) provides a competitive benefits package, which includes, but is not limited to, the following items. Please note that benefits may be subject to change:
21 PTO days per year (4 weeks & 1 day)
26 PTO days after the 5th year (5 weeks & 1 day)
6 days paid sick time
11 paid holidays
1 Personal Day
Leadership Development
Reimbursements
Eligible for Government Loan Forgiveness Programs
Employer-paid health insurance for employees and children (Kaiser, Sutter or Western Health Advantage)
HSA Contributions
Flexible Spending Account
401k match
PTO Cash Out
Voluntary Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Disability Insurance and more
Employee Assistance Program
Regular wage step scale increases
Flexible start/end times for some positions
iPhone with unlimited data for personal/professional use and laptop for some positions
Clinical Supervision towards licensure (for certain positions and upon approval)
CEU days for certain positions
Up to $500 CEU allowance for certain positions
Annual BBQ and staff appreciation awards
Annual Gift Card Program
Referral Bonuses
All benefit offerings are subject to change and are governed by the eligibility guidelines in the Employee Handbook. This list represents a general summary of available benefits and nothing stated here should be interpreted as being included in a written offer for employment.
HOPE Cooperative (aka TLCS, Inc.) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Our agency embraces a diverse & culturally rich workforce, and we welcome all candidates to apply.
