The outreach and engagement specialist strives to build a trusting relationship with shelter guests in an effort to encourage access to services and housing and reduce the length of stay in the Emergency Shelter
Service Activities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Direct Client Care:
Provide hospitality to shelter guests, and ensure a safe and welcoming environment.
Screen for homelessness services eligibility and complete initial intake for those who use the Emergency Shelter.
Provide clients with an orientation to the shelter and an explanation of services Housing Forward offers.
Use trauma-informed and LGBTQ competent engagement techniques to build a rapport with shelter guests and create a safe and comfortable environment.
Screen clients for basic needs using a strengths-based model, and provide supplies, resources and referrals to other Housing Forward programs, and other social service venues and agencies, including access to the Support Center.
Provide clients with one-time public transportation passes to access the Support Center.
Provide targeted outreach to assigned case load as determined by supervisor by regularly engaging clients.
Use Motivational Interviewing Skills and other evidence-based techniques with clients to achieve consensus on goals, and practice and teach Harm Reduction and the Housing First / Shelter First model.
Provide crisis intervention using Psychological / Mental Health First Aid and non-violent crisis intervention and other skills and strategies as needed.
Communicate and cooperate with staff from other programs as needed to ensure seamless delivery of service to clients.
Work as a team with the other Inreach staff to alternate responsibilities and negotiate tasks to ensure safety and that all duties are fulfilled.
Collaborate with and support volunteers and interns working at shelter as applicable.
Provide age appropriate interaction with homeless children and model appropriate adult-child relationships.
Provide developmentally appropriate support and referrals to homeless youth encountered and adhere to all agency guidelines and ethics regarding treatment of youth.
Provide on-site support to clients enrolled in the Transitional Shelter in operation June-August.
Provide outreach to persons living on the street or accessing the Support Center, as assigned.
Administrative:
Enter client intakes and attendance sheets into the HMIS system within 3 business days.
Safeguard client’s confidentiality by observing guidelines for exchange of information and by maintaining documentation in designated locked locations at all times.
Maintain and submit to Outreach and Engagement Manager all service logs and other relevant material in a timely manner.
Attend and participate in weekly team meetings, monthly All-Staff meetings, weekly case staffings, monthly trainings, and all other required meetings.
Document and report any incidents at the Shelter through the after-hours line and shelter paperwork.
Be responsible for safety and proper use of cell phones and other Housing Forward equipment.
Record mileage and use of personal automobile according to agency policies.
Participate in Housing Forward’s fund raising and public relations events and efforts as needed and to the extent which it does not interfere with other job duties.
Community Need Addressed
Outreach & Engagement connects the most service-resistant homeless persons - living on the streets and in the PADS Shelter - to resources and programming. In-reach: a team of Outreach & Engagement Specialists assigned to the PADS Shelter to connect clients to services and housing and who maintain a case load for clients considered chronically homeless.
Position Outcomes
Outreach & Engagement connects the most service-resistant homeless persons - living on the streets and in the PADS Shelter - to resources and programming. In-reach: a team of Outreach & Engagement Specialists assigned to the PADS Shelter to connect clients to services and housing and who maintain a case load for clients considered chronically homeless.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment