Youth Outreach Specialist

Job Description

Join an awesome team of professionals at Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC)! Our friendly staff is committed to providing quality and compassionate services to all people throughout Virginia. We offer a robust benefit package including health, dental, vision, life, short term disability, long term disability, employee assistance programs, legal resources, generous paid time off, fourteen paid holidays, and a cutting-edge retirement savings program.

Summary: This position is responsible for providing comprehensive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and who may also be living with addictions and mental illness. Position focus may vary by population (youth, families with minor children, etc) Successful candidates are committed to ending homelessness and dedicated to CCC's mission of serving the most vulnerable in our community, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA identifying individuals, and those traumatized by systemic inequities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Engage individuals experiencing homelessness and assist them with accessing health, housing, and social services. (employment, mental health care, substance use treatment, and other social services)
Provide in-person, community-based assistance and connect with individuals in their physical location - street, hospital, emergency shelter, etc.
Assist eligible individuals/households in applying or recertifying for mainstream benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security disability, as well as school enrollment and childcare.
Assist individuals with connecting to basic needs, including food, clothing, showers, laundry, transportation, obtaining identification, etc.
Conduct client intakes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness as well as households at risk of homelessness. Assess client needs and most appropriate referrals to ensure a return to permanent housing as quickly as possible, including referrals for housing services, shelter, and other services. Document client's homelessness according to HUD guidelines.
Maintain client records in HCIS (Service Point), including demographics and other essential client information including service transactions, client needs and referrals, reason for homelessness, and summary statement.
Advocate on behalf of clients to obtain essential services and/or support them to advocate for themselves.
Collaborate and coordinate services with appropriate community agencies to address barriers and complex needs of individuals.
Identify other community resources and provide in-depth referrals to housing, medical and/or mental health services.
Assist with crisis intervention and act as a liaison between hospitals and other community agencies.
Provide case management to a core caseload (i.e. assess needs, develop goals with client, coordinate services, monitor progress, and assist in obtaining housing).
Perform street outreach to the local region multiple times per week, connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to shelter, permanent housing and other community resources.
Consult with mental health professionals (nurses, social workers, family physicians, psychiatrists) for screening, documentation and coordination purposes.
Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community partners to identify and improve processes that enhance services to clients.
Staff on call hours at Housing Resource Center (HRC) or Youth Hub connection point (RVA staff).
Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner.
Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills.
Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's Degree required with two years of related experience. Persons with lived experience of homelessness or housing instability encouraged to apply. For Peer Outreach Specialist degree is preferred.

Turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful career with CCC. Apply now at https://www.cccofva.org/openpositions Commonwealth Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer and a drug free workplace.

About the Employer

Commonwealth Catholic Charities is a nonprofit social service organization which has assisted families and children in central and southwestern Virginia for over 97 years. Come and join a team of people committed to making a difference in the lives of others.