Outreach Advocate

Heluna Health•Los Angeles, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Safety Crisis and Incident Response Through Community-Led Engagement (C.I.R.C.L.E.) program is a 24/7 unarmed response program that deploys a team of mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience to address non-violent LAPD calls related to unhoused individuals experiencing crisis. Through this public health approach, the City is able to improve community safety and outcomes for Angelenos in need of social services and support. The goals of the program are to: (1) disrupt the reciprocal relationship between homelessness and the criminal justice system by promptly responding to diverted non-violent incidents related to persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); (2) de-escalate and stabilize incidents involving unhoused individuals; and (3) create enduring positive outcomes for those individuals through trauma informed rapport building, connections to services and resources, and case management. The Outreach Advocate functions as part of a two-person Response Team (RT) consisting of an Outreach Supervisor and an Outreach Advocate. RTs will rapidly respond to diverted incidents from the City, including, but not limited to, LAPD, designated City agencies, and City-designated partners. The diverted incidents will pertain to PEH and will include, but will not be limited to, welfare checks, loitering or trespassing, inadequate clothing, noise disturbances, mental health-related disturbances, a person under the influence of a substance, requests for assistance, syringe disposal, verbal disputes, and transport to shelter/resources. Under the supervision of the C.I.R.C.L.E. Program Manager and the Chief Program Officer, the Outreach Supervisor provides leadership in responding to diverted incidents and will also work to coordinate with local stakeholders to connect PEH to applicable services, programs and benefits. This is a temporary, contract-funded, full-time, benefited position.

Requirements

At least one year of job-related experience conducting street outreach to PEH and preferably has previous lived experience in homelessness, substance abuse, or criminal justice involvement.
Ability to work well with diverse staff and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender and other diversity considerations.
Must possess a valid California Divers License.
Driver must be 21+ with none of the following in the past 3 years: any 2-point convictions; or more than (2) moving violations; or more than (1) moving violation and (1) at-fault or a passenger handling accident.
Successfully pass the background check

Nice To Haves

Residence within the Zones, zip codes, or Council Districts of the Pacific CIRCLE Zone: El Segundo, Westchester, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Venice, Palms.
Knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and mental health, and substance abuse.
Experience in a community-based setting serving ethnically diverse, low-income clients.
Knowledge of community resources and experience in community settings.
Ability to use computers/internet to look up information and enter relevant notes.
Conflict resolution skills.
Customer service orientation.
Analytical ability and skills to handle and solve complex issues and problems.
Computer knowledge/skills or ability to learn.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Language capability: Spanish

Responsibilities

Deploys with team to respond to diverted incidents from the City.
Takes direction from Outreach Supervisor to provide support to PEH.
Provide de-escalation and stabilization interventions
Work with Outreach Supervisor to enroll unhoused individuals in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and update client information in HMIS.
Work with Outreach Supervisor to assess clients for income and public benefits.
Monitor and follow up with individuals and service providers to confirm the timely completion of referrals and linkages, access to services and maintenance of services, documentation of follow-up, service status, and attainment in HMIS.
Assist in the transportation of unhoused individuals during adverse weather events or city-declared emergencies.
Establish positive relationships with clients, staff, and other providers in community; foster cooperative work environment.
Minimize service duplication and maximize service delivery by coordinating outreach efforts and care with Service Planning Area, lead agencies and other homeless outreach teams within CIRCLE areas.
Mentor and train staff on developing proper outreach skills, which include directing to follow proper policies and procedures.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to program requirements.
Complete in-person and virtual trainings on time and attend all mandatory meetings.
Must comply with uniform policy while conducting outreach in the field.
Use assigned communication devices to appropriately and professionally communicate with team members and other service providers.
Other duties as assigned.