Community Outreach Case Manager

OVERVIEW

Provides direct supports to individuals and families experiencing literal homelessness and serving as the resource for police and other local government staff, social service providers, business owners, residents, and other partners. The specialist will work to identify unsheltered individuals and connect them to available services in the area.

The Community Outreach Case Manager provides several services including distribution of basic needs items, assessment, referral to community-based services, and connection to emergency shelter and permanent housing programs. Work is performed under general supervision and is guided by agency policies and procedures, quality assurance, public and private payor guidelines, diagnostic guidelines and professional practices and including ethical standards related to client interactions, state and federal licensure and accreditation regulations and guidelines.

• Within Fredericksburg City, visits communities and canvasses neighborhoods to identify those living unsheltered.
• Works collaboratively with community resources including but not limited to Micah Ecumenical Service, George Washington Regional Commission COC, Fredericksburg City and Police Department, social services, private providers, local charities, Central Virginia Housing Coalition, and Veterans Affairs.
• Provides education to local businesses, leadership and community partners.
• Networks with community business, healthcare providers, and local services.
• Responds to outreach requests from community.
• Develops a relationship and builds trust with individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Meets with individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, discusses obstacles preventing participation in programs.
• Uses supportive level counseling and case management skills to mitigate barriers, link to resources, and support engagement in services.
• Assists individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness with accessing resources by making referrals; follows up referred entities to support efficient and timely services.
• Maintains contact and engagement with unsheltered homeless individuals until shelter or permanent housing is offered.
• Encourages and supports client participation in activities and events that increase ability to remain linked to care and/or behavioral health care, identify employment options or cash benefits, and identify housing options.
• Works collaboratively with housing team to assist clients with identifying, securing, and transitioning into permanent housing.
• Researches community resources that benefit individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Provides advocacy for homeless individuals when they encounter barriers.
• Assists with the planning and implementation of services that meet the clients’ needs to become stably housed.
• Attends monthly community outreach meetings.
• Maintains computerized HMIS records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, and other reports as directed.
• Provides crisis intervention and links to appropriate services.
• Participates in the development or enhancement of community services and programs beneficial to the population served such as rehabilitative, social, and vocational skills, civic and recreational opportunities.
• Attends in-service training and staff development programs to enhance the Community Outreach Case Manager Services.
• Supports individual transition to services, permanent housing, or changes in living or healthcare status.
• Serves on treatment teams.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Thorough knowledge of public and private resources, mental health programs, substance abuse programs, housing resources, homelessness resources and service delivery systems in the local community and the eligibility criteria, intake processes, termination criteria and procedures; considerable knowledge of the nature and types of disorders, ability to conduct effective interviews; ability to identify needs and link individuals with appropriate services.

Ability to establish and maintain rapport with the individual population; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency and facility staff and other…