Street Outreach Specialist

In collaboration with the Central Coordinated Access Network (CCAN), Friendship Service Center (FSC) will operate an outreach program to triage, divert, and case manage people experiencing literal homelessness in the five towns that make up Central Connecticut (Bristol, Berlin, New Britain, Southington, Plainville). The primary function of the Outreach Specialist is to canvass the community, receiving referrals from and collaborating with community partners and local Emergency Medical Services/Police Navigators; document literal homelessness using Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Category One criteria; facilitate swift entrance into the homeless service system to reduce the time a household is experiencing literal homelessness; and collaborating with community stakeholders to ensure efficient communication and a focus on a reduction of literal homelessness in Central CT.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Instill the mission of the FSC in your daily work: “Our work is love made visible”;
• Ability to work with diverse populations, individually and as a part of a team, with a commitment to ending homelessness in our community;
• Conduct Verification of Homelessness assessments for all clients encountered using Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Category 1 eligibility, documenting and seeking 3rd party verification as required;
• Triage those encountered via Outreach to determine the appropriate level of service needed to address individual concerns quickly;
• Conduct CAN assessments and facilitate community referrals, coordinating placement in emergency shelters through established protocols and connecting to other resources as required;
• Enter case notes, referrals, assessments, etc. into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Smartsheets within 48 hours of activity, following case note templates and data hygiene expectations;
• Consult with supervisor regarding participant personal needs, behavior and service planning;
• Foster positive relationships with community partners and participants, ensuring timely responses to phone calls and emails, respecting confidentiality and release authorizations;
• Follow appropriate incident reporting protocol and documentation, maintaining a comprehensive and accurate written record of events that occur during shifts, as well as thorough incident reports;
• Determine verifiable emergency needs such as food, fuel/utilities, medicine, transportation, rent and/or clothing to prevent or end an episode of homelessness;
• Refer participants to local drop-in centers to ensure participants are receiving basic services and are connected to resources if desired;
• Update social services database for clients, working with local agencies, organizations, businesses, and churches to increase awareness of the resources available and gain connections to new resources;
• Represent the FSC in CAN meetings to support prioritization and access of participants into services;
• Attend and participate in mandatory training and meetings as assigned.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice at the discretion of the employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Loan forgiveness
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift

Experience:

• homeless outreach: 1 year (Preferred)
• case management: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22