Outreach & Engagement Coordinator - Hope Cooperative

The Outreach and Engagement Center is a program designed to provide respite for adults experiencing homelessness who are referred to us by the City of Sacramento Department of Community Response, Sacramento County Park Rangers, or the City of Sacramento Impact Team who are camping in the immediate vicinity of the Center. The Center is a place to receive support, services, and linkages and to gain hope for a resolution. This program is designed to provide a safe environment for individuals who need relief from the stresses of homelessness, and who need assistance in accessing services and resources. The Outreach and Engagement Center is open and welcomes individuals 24 hours a day / 7 days a week by referral invitation only. Services will be offered from a Trauma-informed perspective and will utilize Motivational Interviewing and other Evidence-Based Practices as appropriate.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Support individuals with active listening, demonstration of empathy, and carry a message of hope and recovery.
• Observe, assess, intervene, and refer (within one’s scope of practice) in situations with clients regarding mental health symptoms, physical health symptoms and substance use issues, and homelessness.
• Develop service/goal plans with clients and meet with the clients as needed to encourage, support and advocate for progress and assist with skill development.
• Provide positive public relations, community referrals, information, and support by linking clients to needed resources; advocate with and on behalf of clients and significant support persons the clients have identified.
• Accurately complete all necessary forms, reports, and paperwork required by the program on a timely basis (e.g., progress notes, special incident reports, discharge summaries, HMIS, ViSpdat, and other reports as required).
• Ensure that the Center and surrounding environment are clean and fit for occupancy, where applicable. Provide and assist with cleaning as needed.
• May be asked to attend to pets and pet kennels as needed.
• Act as a designated Mandated Reporter for the observed or suspected abuse and/or neglect of children, disabled individuals, dependent adults, and elder/senior citizens. Mandated Reporter also includes “Duty to Warn” which includes the responsibility to notify authorities and the intended victim(s) of physical harm.
• Ensure the protection and confidentiality of all Protected Health Information (PHI) by following all policies and procedures in the Agency HIPAA Manual.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

Qualifications

• Ability to work with individuals who have are experiencing homelessness and may have co-occurring disorders. Experience is highly desirable.
• Lived experience with homelessness, mental health challenges or substance use disorder is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of Sacramento community organizations and community resources is highly desirable.
• Mental health crisis intervention experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with persons who have substance abuse problems, preferably individuals who are dually diagnosed (mental health & substance abuse) is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of 12-Step Programs and/or personal experience with substance abuse recovery is highly desirable.

Other Skills, Abilities, and Job Requirements

• Ability to pass clearance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and/or Department of Justice (DOJ) background screenings
• Consumer of mental health services or a family member of a mental health consumer is desirable
• Work overtime as requested and approved, including after-hours duty as needed