Street Outreach Housing Specialist

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack • Laconia, NH

38d • $23

About The Position

As the Street Outreach Housing Specialist, you’ll work directly with unsheltered participants, guiding them through the Coordinated Entry System process. The primary goal of the Street Outreach Housing Specialist is assisting the participants in securing permanent housing or shelter, while improving health and safety outcomes. The Street Outreach Housing Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day assistance of its participants as well as keeping all HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) Data up to date for the program. The Street Outreach Housing Specialist is also responsible for ensuring that all persons who are unsheltered gain access to appropriate shelter and other necessary services through aggressive outreach and intervention. This includes but is not limited to Permanent housing, Shelter, SUD Treatment and Harm Reduction services, healthcare, mental health, and employment.
Your responsibilities will be to document activities for households who engage in or apply for Street Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Rapid Re-Housing, and/or Homelessness Prevention services according to HUD guidelines.

Requirements

• Education: Associate’s Degree in Human Services. Education requirement may be substituted with related education and one additional year of relevant experience; to be determined by Director of Strategy & Planning. Education and/or training relating to human services such as counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, information and referral, or similar activities.
• Experience: Two years of professional or personal experience with homelessness, mental illness, drug/alcohol abuse, or developmental disabilities.
• Skills: Express courtesy and willingness to assist others.
• Maintain adequate knowledge of all CAPBM programs to make referrals to other CAPBM programs beneficial to the participant.
• Maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff while adhering to the confidentiality of clients, co-workers, and internal business information.
• Characteristics: Strong desire to assist others in helping themselves.
• Analytical and problem-solving techniques.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Knowledge of local human service agencies and programs.
• Technical: Must successfully complete non-violent crisis prevention and intervention training.
• Successful completion of criminal record check.
• Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license are required, as some travel within the community may be necessary.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach activities, in accordance with 24 CFR Part 576.101, in order to meet the needs of unsheltered homeless individuals by connecting them with emergency shelter, housing, and/or critical health services.
• Assists Unsheltered individuals/families in identifying immediate needs and responsible for determining eligibility of program for participant.
• Arrange transportation for unsheltered participants to the nearest appropriate shelter site.
• Arranges for assessment through a substance use disorder treatment program, in the case of known or suspected substance abuse/mental health problems, or if there is an indication of danger to self or others, arranges for assessment through the Mental Health Center Mobile Crisis Unit.
• Arranges transportation to local emergency room or clinic in cases involving medical/physical emergencies.
• Responsible for keeping the case files for all participants up to date and accurately maintaining knowledge of federal, state and agency policies and procedures for effective implementation of program goals and objectives, including HMIS requirements.
• Keeps accurate intake and service records per requirements of Director and to the Statewide Project Coordinator.
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date activity log and provides to Director and Statewide Project Coordinator as needed.
• Gathers and reports inventory information concerning providers, types, and availability of homeless services, especially those not receiving funding through the NH Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree