DuPage County Outreach Coordinator

Women, trans, gender non-conforming and queer folks, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Live4

Lali is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate by race, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its procedures and policies. Involvement in the criminal justice system is not an automatic disqualifier.

Substance use disorder has become a devastating epidemic with more than 288 Americans dying every day from an accidental drug overdose. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 3,261 opioid overdose fatalities in 2022 – more than twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents and more than twice the number of homicides. EMS responses to 21,922 opioid overdoses in 2022.

The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 3,341%.

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Lali has been serving suburban Chicagoland for nearly fifteen years providing critical prevention, education, treatment access, support programs, community solutions-building initiatives, harm reduction, and overdose prevention services to decrease the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic. Live4

Lali’s mission is to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder among individuals, families, and communities, and minimize the overall health, legal and social harms associated with substance use.

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The Du Page  County Outreach Coordinator reports to the DuPage County Program Manager and will work alongside other DuPage County Outreach Coordinator(s). This role involves engaging with community members, arranging training, and implementing substance abuse prevention strategies.

• Identify areas of greatest need across DuPage County on the street and within existing services to connect with participants and distribute harm reduction supplies
• Provide peer support to our participants
• Assist with stocking, maintaining, and delivering harm reduction inventory
• Accurately log and report data collected during outreach
• Provide on the spot training and education in harm reduction, overdose response, and distribute naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication across the county
• Identify and collaborate with rehabs, shelters, and other facilities to scale up access to naloxone
• Develop and implement substance misuse prevention programs targeted at the community
• Provide education and training to impacted persons and the general public on substance use, naloxone, and harm reduction practices
• Identify rehabs, shelters, supportive housing, sober living and other facilities and educate on the need to scale up access to naloxone and other safety practices, providing training as needed
• Identify and develop safety plans with peers who are at increased risk of overdose
• Assess community needs and report to Program Manager to help develop appropriate programs
• Provide participants educational resources, connection to substance use services and assist in implementing strategies to train on, and expand on harm reduction methods
• Maintain confidentiality and HIPAA compliance at all times
• Identify and maintain appropriate communication with team regarding issues, observations, and opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

The Du Page  County Outreach Coordinator will preferably be a person with at least 2 years in recovery/remission from substance use disorder. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. They will also have a minimum of two years’ relevant work or lived experience in substance use disorder, mental health, public health or social work, and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

• Minimum of two years’ relevant work or lived experience in substance use disorder, mental health, public health, or social work; preferably be a person with at least 2 years in recovery/remission from substance use disorder
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to…