Field Outreach Case Manager for Veterans

SALT Outreach Inc•Sanford, ME

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Field Veteran Community Health Worker (FVCHW) serves as a liaison, connecting homeless veterans to crucial services and addressing barriers unique to the veteran population. The FVCHW may serve as an advocate for veterans experiencing homelessness, assisting with the process of obtaining housing, healthcare, mental health services, and other social services. This role emphasizes building trust, facilitating care navigation, and promoting stability and well-being. This position will require the FVCHW to explore various locations within the tri-county area (Orange, Seminole & Osceola counties) to identify and engage veterans experiencing homelessness, and link them to community services. The Field Veteran Community Health Worker will explore camps, wooded areas, parks, abandoned buildings, or other places in the Tri-county area where the unsheltered may frequent in hopes of connecting them to services. Effective street outreach reaches people who might not otherwise seek assistance or come to the attention of the homeless service system. Travel would be required for up to 5 days per week (Monday to Friday) at our SALT location.

Requirements

Must have a Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) or equivalent degree.
Certification as a Community Health Worker (or willingness to obtain).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently in the field and collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
Organized, accurate, thorough, detail-oriented, and able to monitor work for quality.
Must be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods.
May need to walk/stand for up to 8 hours at a time with a standard break.
Intermediate level with MS Excel, MS Word, and Google Docs.
Must have a valid driver’s license and personal vehicle.

Nice To Haves

Lived experience as a veteran or prior military service is strongly preferred.
Experience in working with people experiencing homelessness.
Knowledge of VA services and veteran benefits systems is highly desirable.
Cultural competency and sensitivity toward veteran experiences, including PTSD and substance use.
Experience conducting Field/Street Outreach.
Experience doing administrative work.

Responsibilities

Explore unsheltered locations such as parks, encampments, cars, abandoned buildings, wooded areas, and identify unsheltered clients.
Build supportive, non-judgmental relationships with veterans experiencing homelessness.
Complete engagement forms with unsheltered veterans to determine needs and educate them about SALT services, other services, and benefits available to them.
Possibly provide transportation/transportation resources for clients to be able to participate in programs and services.
Refer clients to organizations to obtain services and resources not offered through SALT.
Hold clients accountable for referral and follow up with the client, system, or organization to confirm the referral was followed through.
Keep and monitor a log of each organization in Central Florida that supports the veteran population. Updating the log as needed.
Identify candidates eligible for Case Management Services.
Accompany veterans to medical, housing, or benefits appointments as needed.
Serve as an advocate for veterans with service providers.
Assist each client with getting connected to the appropriate case management services.
Empower them to pursue their goals as it pertains to obtaining housing (or employment) and assist in holding them accountable to those goals.
Keep detailed internal notes for each client in a secure location. Ensure privacy and confidentiality of all notes taken.
Obtain signed Authorizations to Obtain and Disclose Information before entering information in HMIS.
Documentation will be done through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and SALT’s internal note system to support the Continuum of Care and must be completed within one day of sitting down with a client.
Monthly reports may need to be produced and presented to the management team.