Part Time Homeless Outreach Specialist

BRIDGEWAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES•Elizabeth, NJ

13h•$0 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

The Homeless Outreach Specialist provides supportive services under the direction of the Housing Director to individuals experiencing homelessness who have a mental health and/or co-occurring diagnosis in Union County. Services include assessment, individualized service planning, service linkage, ongoing monitoring, clinical support, and advocacy. The role provides intensive community-based engagement and support, connects people with immediate needs and community resources, and coordinates care with providers and the wider service system. The position is part-time, based in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and scheduled Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The role also participates in a rotating 24-hour on-call schedule for after-hours and weekends.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related area; CAC, CRC, or BSW credentials are listed.
Two years of paid human services work experience, including at least one year in mental health.
A valid driver’s license.
No more than one moving violation within the past 12 months.
A vehicle is required.
Knowledge of the SOAR application process, outreach and engagement with individuals in varying stages of change, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment, and care management.
Ability to be non-judgmental and resourceful.

Responsibilities

Conduct holistic clinical and functional assessments of individuals’ needs, strengths, resources, motivation, functioning, skills, mental status, risk, and behavioral health, substance use, legal, housing, vocational, and community needs.
Provide intensive community-based outreach and engagement for 3–6 months to 12–20 individuals in streets, shelters, and other locations where people experiencing homelessness congregate.
Encourage individuals who are reluctant to accept services to engage, including through outreach to concerned family members or friends when appropriate.
Assist individuals in securing immediate needs, including shelter or housing options, benefits and emergency assistance, clothing, medical care and medication, identification, and food.
Coordinate, review, and revise Individual Recovery Plans, including medication-management plans in consultation with prescribers when needed.
Link individuals to community-based services, accompany them to initial appointments, and provide transportation when necessary.
Provide supportive counseling, legal advocacy, medication and mental health education, community-living skills assessment and monitoring, and early crisis intervention.
Assess crisis-intervention needs and assist psychiatric emergency service providers in resolving crises.
Train and support individuals in service linkages, community resources, advocacy, housing search, mental health education, daily living skills, and supportive counseling.
Help individuals develop community support networks, use self-help centers, and create Wellness Recovery Action Plans.
Maintain frequent face-to-face contact, monitor services and ongoing needs, identify gaps, and advocate to remove barriers to care.
Provide support and education to individuals and, as appropriate, their natural support networks, including family, friends, and employers.
Build therapeutic relationships with diverse individuals using trauma-informed and recovery-based approaches.
Use evidence-based clinical interventions, including Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Techniques, and provide support related to Trauma Informed Care, Permanent Supportive Housing and tenant rights, and Career Development.
Provide team members with technical assistance and education on recovery and wellness; collaborate on wellness strategies and materials.
Participate in a rotating 24-hour on-call schedule for after-hours and weekends for assigned programs.
Coordinate and integrate services across providers through service monitoring, case conferences, collateral contacts, and systems review.
Coordinate referrals and linkages to housing, mental health, substance abuse, medical, and social service providers; follow up to assess service delivery against individuals’ recovery plans.
Attend scheduled team meetings and community meetings related to services for homeless individuals, including Continuum of Care to End Homelessness.
Build relationships with homeless resource agencies and attend county meetings and subcommittees as assigned.
Coordinate with the Team Leader on transitions from PATH to necessary CST services.
Complete statistical reporting, including daily face-to-face contact and linkage reports, monthly hospitalization domain forms, and program evaluation data tracking.
Maintain individual records in accordance with policies and procedures and complete documentation promptly.
Participate in clinical and non-clinical team meetings, individual and team supervision, and actively seek monthly supervision from the supervisor.