SUMMARY

The Associate of Outreach supports the Coalition’s Homeless Outreach Program to identify, build relationships with and assist individuals experiencing homelessness.  The Outreach team works as a part of a larger outreach effort led by community outreach partners to identify individuals experiencing homelessness in Houston and Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties through direct street outreach activities and community referrals from mental health agencies, hospitals, local law enforcement and municipalities and other social service agencies.  The Outreach team is case management “on-wheels” and a liaison to community outreach partners.  This Houston, Texas based role reports to the Lead Associate of Outreach.  This is a grant funded position and continued employment is dependent upon continued funding.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECT OUTREACH - CLIENT SERVICES

·         Visit communities and canvass neighborhoods to identify and build relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness.

·         Conduct outreach in the community, focusing on those who are most vulnerable. Outreach will occur in identified “hot spot” neighborhoods and locations at times when individuals are most likely to be found (including early mornings, evenings and weekends).

·         Develop a relationship with individuals experiencing homelessness through frequent outreach visits to foster trust and support participation in programs.

·         Continue to engage with clients until they obtain shelter or permanent housing.

·         Administer assessment tools to determine an individual’s permanent housing options and to be placed in the housing queue, facilitate placement into emergency housing if needed and assist individuals with accessing resources, making referrals and connecting to social and support services.

·         Conduct assessments at different Assessment Hubs located throughout the Continuum of Care as needed.

·         Assist with the planning and implementation of services that meets the clients’ needs to become stably housed.

·         Assist clients in obtaining housing readiness documentation such as ID, social security card and income verification, and work with transportation resources to provide transportation to appointments as necessary.

·         Assist clients with housing applications, complete supportive and subsidized housing paperwork, survey rental market for affordable housing, and advocate for clients with prospective landlords.

·         Work with outreach workers from other agencies in the region to provide team outreach services.

·         Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with mental health programs, shelter programs, police (and other local officials) and providers of services and resources to homeless neighbors.

·         Drive a car and/or van to transport clients to appropriate services; complete daily vehicle inspection report on van/shuttle; clean car and/or van; and maintain all safety conditions in the car and/or van.

DIRECT OUTREACH - ENCAMPMENT:

·         Maintain map of target location- including list of clients, transient individuals, and location of structures.

·         Pre-navigate clients within specific time frame.

·         Provide clients with supplies for decommissioning camp.  

·         Execute encampment decommission schedules laid out by leadership

DATA AND ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:

·         Maintain client-related data tracking systems including case notes and HMIS systems.

·         Maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage log and other reports as directed.

·         Complete all reports accurately and in a timely manner.

·         Generate HMIS reports to track performance outcomes and goals and identify program issues.

·         Attend Housing Assessor, Navigator, and HMIS trainings to fully utilize the Coordinated Access system accurately.

·         Attend team meetings, case conferences, training workshops and community meetings as needed.

·         Diagnose problems, troubleshoot with providers, and make recommendations for improvement.

·         Analyze trends and act accordingly.

·         Represent the organization and the CoC in the service provider community through presentations, collaboration, community outreach, service on committees, and community planning.

·         Keeps abreast of all HUD regulations.

·         Other duties as assigned.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

1.                   Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience in discipline or similar role and/or field; or Associate’s Degree and four (4) years of experience in discipline or similar role and/or field.

2.                   Interpersonal skills and flexibility within a small office.

• Ability to move and lift 50+ pounds regularly.

4.                   A valid driver’s license and insurance for local travel within a 3-county service area.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Experience in high-profile and complex stakeholder engagement including change management.
• Knowledge of HUD guidelines and polices related to funding and housing and HUD Data Standards.

3.                   Experience working in a non-profit setting related to housing and homelessness.

4.                   Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

5.                   Experience with Client Track software.