Outreach Specialist

Position Summary The Outreach Specialist connects youth ages 18–24 experiencing homelessness to Daybreak shelter and housing resources. This position provides face-to-face triage services in shelters, in community settings, and through street outreach to engage unsheltered youth.

This position plays a critical role in representing Daybreak across the Miami Valley through outreach and community engagement. The Outreach Specialist builds trusting relationships with high-risk or hard-to-reach youth, collaborates with service providers to connect clients to housing, employment, healthcare, and personal development opportunities.

Duties & Responsibilities Conduct street outreach to identify and engage unsheltered youth (ages 18–24) in encampments, public spaces, and community locations, linking them to prevention, drop-in, intake, shelter, housing, and supportive services.

Provide face-to-face triage and crisis intervention in shelters, the Drop-In Center, and community settings to address immediate needs and connect youth to Daybreak’s programs (shelter, employment, behavioral health, and housing).Provide back-up for Daybreak’s Drop-In Center, ensuring a safe, supportive space for homeless and street-homeless youth.

Build trusting relationships with youth and utilize evidence-based practices (Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction) to support engagement and progress toward stability.

Complete intakes, coordinated entry assessments, housing needs assessments, and HMIS documentation accurately and within required timelines.

Collaborate with Daybreak teams (housing, employment, clinical, case management) and external partners (PATH program, Goodwill, Homeless Solutions Policy Board, PLACES, Five Rivers Samaritan Clinic, Children Services, schools, treatment providers, etc.) to connect youth to resources.

Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records in Care Logic and HMIS, documenting progress notes, service provision, and client outcomes.

Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and engagement team meetings to ensure coordinated services and effective housing placements.

Provide respectful, person-centered services to youth with complex needs, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health challenges, and co-occurring substance use disorders.

Represent Daybreak at community outreach events, presentations, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen referral networks and awareness of youth services.

Find opportunities for enhancement of the existing structure and processes between the adult shelters and Daybreak. Collaborate with the St. Vincent De Paul Shelters staff to identify and referral of youth in need of assistance. Establishing an effective communication system between Daybreak, Homefull and the adult shelters.

Minimum of High School diploma or GED AND five (5) years’ working experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting required.

OR Associate’s degree in social work, psychology, criminal justice, or related field AND two (2) years of experience in a social services, education, behavioral health, or similar setting required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience working directly with youth and young adults is required, those experiencing homelessness or housing instability preferred
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