Street Outreach Worker

ABOUT HOMEWARD PIKES PEAK (HPP)

The mission of HPP is to work with individuals and families in our community to achieve their full potential through supportive housing and recovery services, to rebuild dignity & self-sufficiency, and permanently exit homelessness. Our efforts focus on overcoming the barriers to developing and maintaining stable housing and sober living. To do this, we adhere to commonly held social work values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the whole person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.

We believe that these values infuse the work of HPP and are a guidepost to which our staff and partners should aspire.

The Street Outreach Worker seeks to support individuals experiencing homelessness and/or living with a mental illness, substance abuse or all three. Outreach Workers perform within a harm reduction and person-centered model. All duties are performed with a multidisciplinary and multiagency team approach for those sheltered in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, encampments and on the streets. Street outreach uses a person-centered approach, focusing on an individual’s strengths and resources, and never makes assumptions about what a person might need or want.

The Outreach Team collaborates with city, fire and police, and other community-based agencies; this position will focus primarily on the Downtown Pilot "Clean & Safe" program. Street outreach does not require individuals to enter emergency shelter or transitional housing as an interim step or prerequisite to accessing stable housing. However, street outreach does make immediate connections to emergency shelter or temporary housing to provide safe options while individuals and families are on a pathway toward stability.

This is a full-time position that reports to the Lead Street Outreach Worker. This position is authorized to work 40 hours per week with Saturday shifts required. Adjustments in daily assignments and schedules will be made with the Street Outreach Program Director.

• Support individuals experiencing homelessness and living in the community through activities such as:
  o one-on-one contact with individuals on the streets and in emergency shelters;
  o advocating on behalf of clients and/or supporting them to advocate for themselves;
  o collaboration and coordination of services with appropriate community agencies.
• Provide resources and referrals to individuals experiencing homelessness and living in the community by liaising with community agencies, consulting with the Clinical Services and Homeward Pikes Peak housing team, and potentially with other community organizations as part of the Continuum of Care.
• Conduct the housing survey/VI-SPDAT as needed and record all encounters of people engaged in referrals, resource navigation and general information sharing.
• Work with the CSPD HOT team (Colorado Springs Police Department Homeless Outreach Team) to support team outreach in community-based resource centers such as the Springs Rescue Mission, Catholic Charities, Pikes Peak Library District, and in public spaces.
• Support the Lead Street Outreach worker with managing and maintaining an application interface that assists with outreach efforts, and effectively triage reported activities and requests. Work with community partners to develop and increase utilization efficiency.
• Work with the Pikes Peak Coordinated Entry system to connect individuals selected for housing and the referring agency. Assist these clients to complete paperwork, obtain identification and prepare for housing applications.
• Assist individuals seeking housing in acquiring resources, identification, completing applications, navigating housing options, connecting with case managers, and transitioning successfully into permanent housing. Utilizing temporary lodging in hotels, if available, with grant funds, diversion programs, and /or utilizing partnerships.
• Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with HPP staff and community partners to identify and improve processes that enhance services and outcomes for clients.
• Maintain electronic records, reports, and statistics necessary for program management and evaluation.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Attend and participate in staff meetings.
• Attend and/or participate in or interact with donors, attend community events, or fundraising as requested.
• Integrate with the overall organization and collaborate with the community.
• Produce documentation in a timely manner as requested for audits and audit resolutions.
• Maintain office environment to professional standards and display abundant teamwork skills.
• Consistently display, adhere to, and promote the company’s values.

• Ability to be flexible and empathetic.
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches.
• Proficiency in general computer skills and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; and word processing,…