Screening and Outreach Coordinator- LEAD

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

We are community builders co-creating enduring change toward a just society where every person has personal, social, and economic power. Our united system of programs, neighborhood centers, social enterprises, and partnerships connects individuals and their families across the region.

The Movement for Black Lives has created an opening to radically rethink how our communities pursue public health, order, safety, and equity. LEAD Minneapolis, a harm reduction diversion initiative, is an approach to creating and sustaining safe communities. The LEAD program supports people who otherwise would be subject to arrest for low-level, nonviolent law violations that stem from unmet behavioral health needs. LEAD fosters partnerships between community members, law enforcement, health and service agencies, business owners, and civil rights advocates to address the over-reliance on arrest and the legal system by diverting individuals into long-term, community-based case management.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The primary objective of this position is to provide outreach and conduct screening of referrals to LEAD Minneapolis case management services for individuals suspected of law violations due to underlying substance use, mental health needs, homelessness and/or extreme poverty. This person reports to the LEAD Case Management Supervisor and is responsible for being the initial point of contact for all LEAD referrals. The LEAD Screening and Outreach Coordinator will ensure coordination of assignment of eligible referrals to a case manager. The ideal candidate will be an expert relationship builder, skilled in harm reduction and trauma-informed care principles, enjoy working on a team, and possess the ability to navigate complex systems of care, resources, and government systems to effectively support program participants.

Primary Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

Strategy and Thought Leadership

• Programming expert in assessing eligibility criteria and providing outreach services to individuals with criminal legal system involvement due to underlying substance use, mental health needs, homelessness, and/or extreme poverty.
• Make recommendations for program improvements.
• Stay current with and connected to available community resources.

Operations and Outcomes

• Serve as point of contact and primary liaison with law enforcement, community, and others making LEAD referrals.
• Manage number of referrals based on capacity.
• Provide initial screening and engagement with referred individuals.
• At time of screening assess and address emergent/immediate client needs including need for medical care, shelter, food, and clothing.
• Manage and maintain information regarding referrals in database.
• Provide street outreach to engage referred individuals with the purpose of facilitating completion of intake process.
• Complete client intake as needed.
• Manage and coordinate the assignment of new referrals to a case manager.
• Provide case managers with completed paperwork and share additional, relevant information.
• Support case managers in finding individuals when necessary.
• Document all activities according to agency and contract requirements.

People and Community Development

• Work in tandem with case managers to provide street outreach to engage participants when needed.
• Provide immediate response to LEAD partners regarding LEAD participants when LEAD case managers are not available.
• Develop and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with LEAD partners and other service providers including substance use and mental health treatment providers, health care providers, shelter providers, landlords, detox centers, and other health and human service workers.
• Identify gaps and barriers in available community resources and advocate for systemic changes.
• Attend all LEAD program staff meetings and other required meetings.

Financial Management

• Use resources and supplies responsibly.
• Record time and expenses accurately.

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or demonstrably equivalent knowledge gained through alternative courses of study and life experience.
• Two years of experience minimum working communities of color and other marginalized communities.
• Experience serving populations impacted by extreme poverty, behavioral health conditions, and mental illness from a harm reduction model of care.
• Experience supporting and advocating for participants within the criminal justice system including court appearances and written communication.
• Ability to work in trauma-informed ways with individuals struggling with mental health, homelessness, chemical dependency, and other risk factors.
• Able to build positive, nonjudgmental relationships with community.
• Open to working in low-income neighborhoods with diverse community.
• Understanding of appropriate personal boundaries and professional ethics.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include evenings and weekends.
• Self-motivating with excellent time management and accountability skills.

Desired Attributes

• Passion for what’s possible
• Clear sense of personal purpose
• Commitment to social justice
• Creative problem-solver
• Skilled communicator and motivator

Benefits

Benefits are offered to all regular employees who work at least 20 hours a week. Our benefits package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision coverage, employer paid short term and long term disability, employer paid life insurance, health saving account (HSA) option, flexible spending account (FSA) option, retirement plan option with an employer match, paid time off and floating holidays, and numerous paid holidays.