Are you passionate about making a tangible difference in our community and in the lives of those experiencing homelessness? Come join our mission-driven team and coalition of community partners to support individuals and families in need and to create lasting solutions for housing challenges!
As the Street Outreach Specialist, you will be a vital member of the Outreach and Engagement division- a team that works to locate persons experiencing unsheltered homelessness and engage them in supportive services with the goal of accessing housing and services to improve quality of life. You will be responsible for outreaching and building rapport with persons residing in encampments and other unsheltered locations to assess for services (Coordinated Entry assessments). This position is funded through a SAMHSA grant focused on screening and engaging persons experiencing homelessness for recovery services and accessing supports through an integrated care setting. The ultimate goal of the team is to provide person-centered services and successfully facilitate positive exits into shelter, temporary housing, such as treatment, and permanent housing placements. You will work collaboratively with internal and external teams to secure safe, suitable housing and supportive services for neighbors experiencing unsheltered homelessness. In this role, you will be mobile and will meet with clients, partner agency representatives, and housing providers approximately 80% of the time (with mileage reimbursement) and attend various meetings on-site 20% of the time.
What you will do...
Work collaboratively with other members of the outreach team to conduct housing-focused street outreach to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the Tulsa City-County area. Complete Coordinated Entry Assessments to determine vulnerability and acuity during street outreach and support the match and referral to available housing programs. Assist clients and other individuals experiencing homelessness with accessing resources and making referrals; continue to engage with clients until shelter or permanent housing is obtained. Use Motivational Interviewing and Trauma Informed Care to build rapport and engage program participants in change using a harm reduction lens. Reduce barriers to housing and other services by helping obtain documents needed to apply for housing, verify homelessness and disability status, obtain IDs and other eligibility documentation. Maintain accurate and timely data into Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database, including number of outreach contacts, program enrollments, and case notes following HMIS Data Standards. Utilize program screening and assessment tools required for program outcomes and reporting, including developing and maintaining Plan of Care for case load. Assist in identifying appropriate housing and completing housing applications. Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with shelter programs, mental health programs, police and other local officials, and community service providers. Attend team meetings, Case Conferencing, training workshops, and community meetings as needed. Follow agency protocols and procedures related to program administration, agency operations, and accounting and financial activities. You'll know you're a good fit for this position if you are...
Ready to work both independently and as part of a team. Able to use a person-centered approach, unconditional positive regard, and harm reduction philosophy in interactions with program participants and community members. Interested in learning and practicing Motivational Interviewing and the Transtheoretical Model of Change. Professional in your interactions, displaying a thorough understanding of ethical conduct, establishing healthy boundaries, client confidentaility and sound judgment. Knowledgeable about local resources to support persons who are experiencing homelessness and/or other housing crisis. Highly proficient at organizing your time well and adapting to changing priorities Sensitive to the needs of diverse, systemically disadvantaged populations and committed to building equitable systems You'll be most successful if you have...
A valid driver's license and a clean driving record or ability to commute using public transportation Experience and proficiency at keeping accurate records in the HMIS computer system Previous experience working or volunteering with persons experiencing homelessness or housing instability (a plus) Lived experience of homelessness (candidates with this experience will be prioritized for hire) This hourly position is 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, with occasional schedule changes for community events. It will be primarily field-based, traveling by car, bike, bus or foot to locations such as encampments, libraries, or community service agencies.
