Homeless Outreach Specialist

Liberation Programs•Bridgeport, CT

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Liberation Programs is a leading behavioral health organization in Fairfield County, specializing in substance use disorder treatment. Our mission is to help individuals and families overcome addiction, restore their lives, and strengthen communities. We offer a range of services including inpatient treatment, outpatient services, health education, adolescent and family resources, prevention efforts, and permanent supportive housing. Since 1971, we have served over 2,400 individuals annually across our sites in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, and Bridgeport. The Homeless Outreach Specialist position supports the Fairfield County Coordinated Access Network (FC CAN) by assisting individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness to find and sustain stable, permanent housing. This role follows a 'services follow the person' model, providing outreach, housing support, and case management to ensure long-term tenancy sustainability.

Requirements

2 years’ experience working with homeless population and/or lived expertise.
Experience and comfort with a harm reduction approach, delivering harm reduction services and supplies (including safer injection and safer smoking kits).
Ability to embrace 'meeting people where they are' without judgment or expectation.
Excellent communication skills.
Ability to deliver services respectfully and ensure all participants are treated with respect and dignity, and feel supported.
Highly motivated, creative problem solver.
Knowledge of, or ability to quickly develop competency with, issues related to homelessness, effective intervention techniques, and basic understanding of mental health and substance abuse issues.
Project a professional demeanor and exercise mature judgment.
Knowledge of community resources.
Ability to work effectively with populations that have experienced vulnerability, trauma, economic poverty, incarceration, substance use, developmental delays, compromised mental wellness, brain injuries, literacy and numeracy issues, and/or other conditions or situations that have impacted housing stability.
Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate and complete multiple tasks simultaneously.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including telephone communication.
Ability to work independently and with a group, and maintain good working relationships with organizational staff and partners.
Must have a valid driver's license, insurance and be comfortable driving a large van.
Strong computer skills.
Must adhere to all professional standards and ethical practices, including creating and maintaining healthy boundaries and professional relationships with clients, co-workers, and others.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with local support services, resources and recovery community.
Driver’s license and daily use of a reliable and properly registered and insured motor vehicle.

Responsibilities

Provide street outreach through canvassing, including times outside of normal business hours, in collaboration with the FC CAN outreach team.
Conduct CAN intake appointments and assist clients in identifying emergency shelter opportunities while developing a housing plan.
Work with households to collect necessary identification and documentation (personal identification, income verification, homelessness verification, disability verification) and upload them into the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).
Ensure all clients are added to the By Name List (BNL) and develop a Housing Services and Sustainability Plan.
Comply with all HMIS training requirements, maintain organized files, and adhere to timely data entry into HMIS, Smart Sheet, and Ddap.
Support clients in obtaining income through workforce development referrals or connection to a SOAR specialist.
Provide ongoing case management services, including connections to mainstream benefits, behavioral health services, and other identified needs (e.g., childcare, SNAP).
Actively participate in local CAN housing solution meetings to advocate for client housing opportunities.
Coordinate housing search, landlord recruitment, and relocation assistance.
Identify housing options in the community through ongoing housing search and cultivation of landlord relationships.
Provide information, referrals, and coordination for needed services such as credit repair, health, mental health, substance abuse services, and social services.
Encourage early linkages to family and community support systems.
Assist clients with lease signing, understanding tenant rights and responsibilities, and lease compliance.
Complete required documentation once housed, including the DMHAS Acuity and Assessment Index, Housing and Sustainability plan, and conduct assessments every 6 months.
Conduct regular home visits and face-to-face encounters for long-term housing sustainability.