Job Description

OVERVIEW

Provides direct supports to individuals and families experiencing literal homelessness and serving as the resource for police and other local government staff, social service providers, business owners, residents, and other partners. The specialist will work to identify unsheltered individuals and connect them to available services in the area.

The Community Outreach Case Manager provides several services including distribution of basic needs items, assessment, referral to community-based services, and connection to emergency shelter and permanent housing programs. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, diagnostic guidelines and professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Within Fredericksburg City, visits communities and canvasses neighborhoods to identify those living unsheltered.
• Works collaboratively with community resources including but not limited to Micah Ecumenical Service, George Washington Regional Commission COC, Fredericksburg City and Police Department, social services, private providers, local charities, Central Virginia Housing Coalition, and Veterans Affairs.
• Provides education to local businesses, leadership and community partners.
• Networks with community business, healthcare providers, and local services.
• Responds to outreach requests from community.
• Develops a relationship and builds trust with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Meets with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, discusses obstacles preventing participation in programs.
• Uses supportive level counseling and case management skills to mitigate barriers, link to resources, and support engagement in services.
• Assists individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness with accessing resources by making referrals; follows up referred entities to support efficient and timely services.
• Maintains contact and engagement with unsheltered homeless individuals until shelter or permanent housing is offered.
• Encourages and supports client participation in activities and events that increase ability to remain linked to care and/or behavioral health care, identify employment options or cash benefits, and identify housing options.
• Works collaboratively with housing team to assist clients with identifying, securing, and transitioning into permanent housing.
• Researches community resources that benefit individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Provides advocacy for homeless individuals when they encounter barriers.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of services that meet the clients' needs to become stably housed
• Attends monthly community outreach meetings.
• Maintains computerized HMIS records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.
• Provides crisis intervention and links to appropriate services.
• Participates in the development or enhancement of community services and programs beneficial to the population served such as rehabilitative, social, and vocational skills, civic and recreational opportunities.
• Attends in-service training and staff development programs to enhance the Community Outreach Case Manager Services.
• Supports individual transition to services, permanent housing, or changes in living or healthcare status.
• Serves on treatment teams.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of public and private resources, mental health programs, substance abuse programs, housing resources, homelessness resources and service delivery systems in the local community and the eligibility criteria, intake processes, termination criteria and procedures; considerable knowledge of the nature and types of disorders, ability to conduct effective interviews; ability to identify needs and link individuals with appropriate services

ility to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency and facility staff and of other private and public facilities, agencies and organizations; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to operate a vehicle; ability to function calmly in stressful situa­tions; ability to prepare and maintain detailed records and prepare related reports; ability to collect, compile and evaluate electronically sourced or other data and prepare reports; ability to persistently negotiate with individuals and service providers.

TYPICAL EDUCATION, TRAINING AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and partners and people experiencing a housing crisis.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and creative problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong desire and ability to work collaboratively with community partners and agencies.
• High level of self-direction, with an ability to multitask and prioritize demands effectively and quickly.
• Ability to prioritize and maintain flexible scheduling to interact with and respond to community members at varying hours.
• Case management experience preferred
• Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness, substance use disorder, and/or homeless
• Bachelors Degree preferred

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Valid VA driver's license.

OTHER

• Knowledge of the homelessness response system and community resources, preferred.
• Familiarity with the region, preferred
• Lived experience of homelessness, desired
• Must have reliable transportation

ENVIRONMENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXPOSURE

Work involves considerable exposure to disagreeable environmental conditions such as the requirements to interact with clients having unsanitary behaviors, poor hygiene and contagious illness and/or are potentially violent in unsafe or unsanitary residences or other locations; drive a vehicle, and/or transport clients in inclement, if not severe weather; occasionally physically assist and/or lift clients in the course of care.

RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships require excellent communication, social and interpersonal skills, tact and the use of specialized techniques to elicit information from and convey information to clients including hostile and abusive individuals and client families; represent the agency, program and individual to clinical professionals or other service providers, governmental organizations and regulatory agencies, law enforcement and judicial authorities, or other community stakeholders concerning client treatment, care coordination and programming; lead meetings, conduct briefings and make presentations.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs