Youth Outreach Specialist

About CCC:

Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC) has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 7 locations throughout Virginia.

CCC provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information (including family medical history) in all aspects of employment including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and benefits, except where there is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the agency.

Commonwealth Catholic Charities is a drug-free and smoke-free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing comprehensive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and who may also be living with addictions and mental illness. Position focus may vary by population (youth, families with minor children, etc) Successful candidates are committed to ending homelessness and dedicated to CCC's mission of serving the most vulnerable in our community, including older adults, individuals with disabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Engage individuals experiencing homelessness and assist them with accessing health, housing, and social services. (employment, mental health care, substance use treatment, and other social services)
Provide in-person, community-based assistance and connect with individuals in their physical location – street, hospital, emergency shelter, etc.

Assist eligible individuals/households in applying or recertifying for mainstream benefits, including Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security disability, as well as school enrollment and childcare.

Assist individuals with connecting to basic needs, including food, clothing, showers, laundry, transportation, obtaining identification, etc.

Conduct client intakes for individuals and families experiencing homelessness as well as households at risk of homelessness. Assess client needs and most appropriate referrals to ensure a return to permanent housing as quickly as possible, including referrals for housing services, shelter, and other services. Document client’s homelessness according to HUD guidelines.

Maintain client records in HCIS (Service Point), including demographics and other essential client information including service transactions, client needs and referrals, reason for homelessness, and summary statement.

Advocate on behalf of clients to obtain essential services and/or support them to advocate for themselves.

Collaborate and coordinate services with appropriate community agencies to address barriers and complex needs of individuals.

Identify other community resources and provide in-depth referrals to housing, medical and/or mental health services.

Assist with crisis intervention and act as a liaison between hospitals and other community agencies.

Provide case management to a core caseload (i.e. assess needs, develop goals with client, coordinate services, monitor progress, and assist in obtaining housing).Perform street outreach to the local region multiple times per week, connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to shelter, permanent housing and other community resources.

Consult with mental health professionals (nurses, social workers, family physicians, psychiatrists) for screening, documentation and coordination purposes.

Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community partners to identify and improve processes that enhance services to clients.

Staff on call hours at Housing Resource Center (HRC) or Youth Hub…