Family Outreach Specialist

Housing Matters • Santa Cruz, CA

just now • $28 - $32

About The Position

Housing Matters partners with individuals and families to create pathways out of their homelessness into permanent housing. We are a leader in working to end homelessness – and we want you to be part of our team! We are looking for individuals eager to make a difference and willing to enthusiastically commit to join in our vision that homelessness in Santa Cruz County should be rare, brief, and non-recurring.

The Family
Outreach Specialists will be the first point of contact for participants in Santa Cruz County, including the unincorporated areas of the county, and work to engage them in conversations about services and pathways to housing. Outreach Specialists will utilize trauma informed care to communicate with participants, remain patient, nonjudgmental, and understanding. Outreach Specialists will be able to carry a calm disposition in a hectic environment using a person-centered model.

Requirements

• Lived experience with homelessness or housing instability
• Previous outreach experience with underserved populations required
• De-escalation, Harm Reduction, and Motivational Interviewing skills are required (training available upon hire and offered by the facility).
• Bilingual English and Spanish speaking required
• Thorough knowledge of: Social casework objectives, principles, methods, and caseload management and organization.
• Principles of human behavior and development and psychological defense mechanisms.
• Reactions to stress.
• Social and economic factors that lead to homelessness for individuals and households.
• Knowledge of local community health, welfare, social, and legal support systems, as well as other resources available to participants.
• Interviewing and record-keeping techniques, including the documentation of all actions and contacts in case files.

Nice To Haves

• A minimum of one year of experience performing social service casework services comparable to a Case Manager I at Housing Matters in an exceptional manner exceeding all standards and abilities
• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in social work, social welfare, human services, or one of the social or behavioral sciences.

Responsibilities

• Provide the first point of contact and engagement for individuals/ families experiencing homelessness.
• Accept each individual for who they are and where they are, provide options, information, and choices that allow for stimulating change.
• Build supportive rapport through recurring contacts with households experiencing homelessness before they enter housing programs.
• Efficiently and effectively facilitate participants’ pathways to permanent housing outside of the Housing for Health Partnership response system.
• Assess new participants through the HNS (Housing Needs Assessment) and HMIS Standardized Intake
• Enter intake and assessment data into HMIS and set up client records in accordance with Housing Matters policies and procedures.
• Work and efficiently communicate with partner organizations to stay up-to-date on community resources; coordinate with other outreach programs for group outreach and events.
• Work with households as they begin to consider housing options; engage in problem solving to access immediate housing, services and shelter options.
• Facilitate client assistance funding to move eligible households into permanent housing in Santa Cruz County as well as other locations.
• Coordinate with staff to support entry into programs or shelter when immediate housing is not available.
• Meet all administrative requirements including record-keeping, HMIS documentation requirements, staff meetings, trainings, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality and treat participants with dignity and respect at all times.
• Provide coordination and smooth transitions into housing programs.
• Review program data monthly and report back to the appropriate Program Manager with statistical highlights, found anomalies, recent trend analysis, etc.
• Provide ongoing case management including assessment, referrals, budget assistance, housing placement, and promoting housing stability with individuals as assigned.
• Develop and maintain accurate written case records including intake, assessment, ongoing case plan, and progress notes.

Benefits

• 6 Medical plans - 100% employee coverage
• Dental - 100% employee coverage
• Vision - 100% employee coverage
• Life insurance (UNUM) - 100% employee coverage
• Chiropractic and Acupuncture (for those who elect medical insurance) - 100% employee coverage
• 403b Retirement Savings matched up to 3% dollar-for-dollar with no vesting period
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Travel Assistance
• PTO: accrues to 20 days annually, 1 paid floating holiday, 9 paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level