Outreach Specialist

Apalachee Center, Inc. is best known for helping individuals and families of North Florida succeed in recovering from emotional, psychiatric, and substance abuse crises. Apalachee Center, Inc. provides comprehensive behavioral health services across 8 counties (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor, and Wakulla Counties).

Apalachee Center, Inc. offers competitive benefits for our full-time positions to include health, dental, vision, basic life insurance, long term disability, paid time off, and more.

Overview:

The Outreach Specialist serves as a liaison to identify, engage, and establish contact with individuals experiencing homelessness. The position works closely with the IEH (Individuals Experiencing Homelessness) Specialist, agency case managers and community partners to connect individuals to supportive services and resources that promote stability and access to care. This role requires substantial time conducting outreach in community settings including streets, shelters, and encampments.

ESSENTIAL/CORE JOB-SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Street Outreach and Engagement: Conduct proactive street outreach to identify and engage individuals experiencing homelessness in locations such as streets, encampments, vehicles, shelters, and other places not meant for habitation. Build rapport using trauma-informed and person-centered engagement strategies.

2. PATH Program Screening and Engagement: Assist in identifying and engaging individuals who may qualify for PATH services, with particular attention to individuals experiencing serious mental illness or co-occurring conditions. Support initial engagement and facilitate connection to PATH-funded services.

3. Education and Resource Navigation: Provide information, education, and referrals to individuals experiencing homelessness regarding available community resources, behavioral health services, housing opportunities, and mainstream benefits. Assist individuals in accessing medical, dental, behavioral health, substance use, employment, housing, and other supportive services that address barriers to stabilization and support transition to permanent housing.

4. Service Linkage and Coordination: Collaborate with the IEH Specialist and agency case management staff to connect individuals to behavioral health treatment, housing programs, medical care, substance use services, and other supportive resources.

5. Advocacy and Barrier Reduction: Support individuals experiencing homelessness in accessing services and overcoming barriers related to housing, healthcare, benefits, transportation, and other stabilization needs through advocacy and engagement.

6. Community Collaboration: Develop and maintain working relationships with shelters, community-based organizations, local providers, and outreach partners to improve coordination of services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

7. Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate documentation of outreach activities, client contacts, and service linkages in accordance with PATH grant requirements, agency policies, HMIS expectations, and the Client Record Handbook, including timely completion of documentation and required program reports.

Education/Experience:
• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: One year of paid or volunteer experience working with the homeless and related community service organizations is preferred.

Licensure or Certification:
• Current valid driver's license.
• Maintain Apalachee Designated Auto Driver status.