Outreach Worker

Outreach Worker

Community Support Services - Akron, OH

Overview

Salary Range $22.00 - $26.00 Hourly Position Type Full Time (40 Hours)

Description

The Opportunity: We are seeking to hire an Outreach Worker to join our Homeless Outreach Team. This individual does aggressive case-finding of persons who are homeless and mentally ill and not currently part of any mental health system. This employee will engage individuals who are homeless in any applicable services and assist with accessing housing and entitlements. The Homeless Outreach Worker will make initial contact with the persons to be served in non-traditional settings such as meal sites, shelters, the street, abandoned buildings, etc.

What You'll Do:

• Continuously and independently provide case-finding through personal networking with street dwellers, shelters, meal sites, and other places where homeless people gather.
• Assess persons who are homeless to determine appropriateness for service, and then either develop rapport to help persons to be served in their environment or connect them with other resources through referrals.
• Work closely with other social services agencies that provide services to those who are homeless, or who risk homelessness, by accepting referrals from them and making referrals to them. Provide consultation/education regarding behavior management and any other issues pertaining to long term homelessness.
• Participate in regular team meetings with members from other disciplines.
• Request and/or schedule necessary evaluations and assessments in order to identify strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of persons served.
• Monitor and coordinate the delivery of services outlined in the treatment plan using the Critical Time Intervention modality with frequency of visits corresponding to client's phase in the program.

• Provide, coordinate, and/or assist in crisis intervention and stabilization services during regularly scheduled working hours and to be available for "after hours" emergencies in accordance with established agency Emergency Services on-call procedures and grant requirements
• Assist the person served in achieving the objectives in the service plan and maximizing independence and productivity through support and training in the use of personal and community resources.
• Assist in the development and/or increasing social support networks of relatives, friends, and volunteer organizations that mediate life stresses resulting from the individual's needs.
• Accompany individuals served to activity sites and assist in daily living skills training as needed.
• Provide service linkage and advocacy in community settings as appropriate to the needs of the individuals served.
• Maintain relevant documentation and provide statistical reports in accordance with agency documentation standards and grant requirements.
• When individual is housed, has appropriate entitlements and is receiving appropriate mental health services, transfer to regular Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment (CPST) services following grant guidelines & clinical consultation with treating psychiatrist and clinical supervisor.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff and supervisory meetings.
• Responsible for being knowledgeable about the rights of persons served and procedures governing them.
• Observe all rules of confidentiality as it relates to clinical information both internally and in dealing with outside individual(s) and/or agencies.
• Participate in ongoing agency staff training/development programs.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

What We're Looking For:

• High School Diploma required, Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field preferred.
• Prior experience working with persons who have a severe mental illness preferred.
• LSW preferred.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule.
• A car and a valid Ohio driver's license and insurability through the Agency's insurance carrier required.
• A deeply held belief in CSS's recovery-centered mission.
• Ability to develop positive relationships with individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse challenged.
• Ability to utilize non-conventional resources and methods to deliver service for the persons being served.
• Excellent organizational, attention to detail and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Commitment to confidentiality, following rules of HIPAA.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook.
• Skill in managing time and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work non-judgmentally with individuals whose behavior and belief systems are incongruent with that of society and/or your personal beliefs.
• Perseverance in goals with individuals who may not improve or may only improve slowly.

About Us:

For 35 years, Community Support Services has been making a difference in the lives of countless individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Our nearly 300 employees are real-life champions committed to quality treatment, collaborative care, and effective outcomes. Located in downtown Akron, Ohio, we serve as a leader in behavioral health care for the entire Summit County area.

What We Offer:

• Working within a mission-driven, highly engaged environment
• A supportive, professional workplace with excellent resources
• Engaging, autonomous atmosphere
• Professional Development Assistance and Education Assistance Program
• Program-Site Eligibility for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• 401(k) with 5% employer contribution
• 10 paid holidays and 15+ days of PTO annually
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Subsidized membership to local YMCA branches
• Life insurance and short- and long-term disability

Qualifications

Community Support Services is an equal opportunity employer utilizing affirmative action for veterans and candidates with disabilities.