Street Outreach Specialist

COPE Health Solutions•Los Angeles, CA

4d•$28 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Street Outreach Specialist provides street-based outreach and engagement to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness who are eligible for or enrolled in CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports. Often serving as a first point of contact, the specialist meets clients in encampments, parks, transit corridors, vehicles, and other places not meant for human habitation. Through consistent, person-centered engagement, the specialist builds trust, connects clients to medical and behavioral health care, and supports progress toward interim and permanent housing. The role focuses on removing barriers to care and housing by identifying resources, helping clients navigate health care and housing systems, and promoting health through Housing First, harm reduction, and trauma-informed approaches. The specialist works with multidisciplinary Care Teams, street medicine teams, behavioral health providers, housing partners, and other community organizations to support client health outcomes and housing stability. This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position based in Los Angeles, California, reporting to the Program Manager, with no direct reports. The salary range is $28.00–$32.00 per hour, and local travel may be up to 80%. Early morning, evening, and occasional weekend outreach shifts may be required.

Requirements

High school degree or equivalent; some college education in social work, human services, public health, or a related field is preferred.
At least two years of experience in street outreach, homeless services, behavioral health, or case management.
Working knowledge of Housing First, harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.
Strong understanding of cultural competency with the target population.
Ability to build relationships with clients who may be hesitant to engage, organization members, and health care providers.
Good communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to speak concisely with clients and Care Team members.
Ability to remain calm and use sound judgment in unpredictable environments, with crisis de-escalation skills.
Organizational skills for handling confidential client materials and tracking appointments.
Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing client and provider needs.
Commitment to care coordination and an empathetic, trustworthy, and passionate approach to working with clients.
Valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of auto insurance.
Ability to meet the physical demands of field outreach, including walking long distances, standing for extended periods, carrying supplies, and working outdoors in varying weather.
Ability to travel locally up to 80%, including daily driving to outreach sites throughout the service area.
Ability to work early morning, evening, and occasional weekend outreach shifts as required.
Maintain confidentiality and follow field safety protocols.

Nice To Haves

Three or more years of experience in street outreach, homeless services, behavioral health, or case management.
Some college education in social work, human services, public health, or a related field.
Familiarity with the Los Angeles Coordinated Entry System, HMIS, and CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Computer literacy, including comfort documenting on a mobile device in the field.
Lived experience with homelessness, mental health, or substance use recovery.
CPR/First Aid and naloxone administration training, or willingness to obtain training after hire.

Responsibilities

Conduct proactive street-based outreach in encampments, parks, transit corridors, vehicles, and other places not meant for human habitation.
Build trusting relationships through consistent, person-centered engagement and serve as a point of contact for clients.
Screen clients for Medi-Cal enrollment and eligibility for CalAIM Enhanced Care Management and Community Supports, and complete referrals and warm handoffs to the Care Team.
Complete Coordinated Entry System assessments using the Los Angeles Housing Assessment Tool after required training, and support clients through the CES matching process.
Communicate with Care Team members and health care providers to facilitate client care.
Distribute water, food, hygiene kits, harm reduction supplies, and other basic-needs items, and provide naloxone education as appropriate.
Identify resources that address barriers to care, including transportation, shelter and interim housing, replacement identification documents, and benefits enrollment.
Support transitions from the street to interim housing, recuperative care, sobering centers, or permanent housing in coordination with housing navigation and Community Supports providers.
Provide crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning, and connect clients to emergency, psychiatric, or substance use services when needed.
Coordinate with street medicine teams, County behavioral health outreach, CES partners, and other outreach providers, including conducting joint outreach as appropriate.
Respond to outreach referrals within program timeframes and follow up with referral sources.
Stay informed about services offered by providers, including mental health, substance use treatment, shelter, housing, and employment assistance.
Maintain strict client confidentiality in accordance with agency policies.
Accompany clients to medical, benefits, and housing appointments when needed, and review and update care plans with the Care Coordinator.
Meet with the Care Team to discuss client care needs and facilitate health care.
Document all client encounters in HMIS and the organization’s care management platform, and complete reporting according to organization standards.
Track client information, schedules, files, and forms confidentially; track contacts, referrals, and appointment attendance; and initiate outreach and missed-appointment procedures as necessary.
Locate and re-engage clients who have moved or lost contact.
Attend and represent the organization at professional conferences, trainings, and meetings at a supervisor’s request or with approval.
Follow field safety protocols, including conducting outreach in pairs or teams and maintaining situational awareness.