Outreach Specialist WC

Position Title: CAHP Systems Outreach Specialist

Reports to: Assistant Director

Category: Full-Time Non-Exempt Hourly

Location: Friendship Place Welcome Center; Outreach Service Areas

Hours: Flexible schedule (Monday-Friday) between 8am and 8 pm. Some evenings holidays and weekends may be required to support operations and to respond to emergencies.

Who we are: Friendship Place is a nonprofit organization serving the Washington DC region. We empower individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness to rebuild their lives with the involvement of the community. Friendship Place offers the most effective model for addressing homelessness with innovative customized programs that have positive demonstrable results and a lasting impact on the community and beyond. Our programs are person-centric and individualized to meet the needs and goals of individuals families youth/young adults and Veterans experiencing homelessness. We provide outreach hospitality health care case management housing job placement services and advocacy.

Summary: The CAHP Systems Outreach Specialist (CSOS) is a key position in the Welcome Center Division of Friendship Place that provides low-barrier and housing-driven assessment and outreach services to those experiencing homelessness within the District of Columbia. This position will endeavor to ensure that engaged Single Adults and Youth (under age 25) have received assessment through the Districts housing assessment tools (VI- TAY- and Full SPDAT) access to basic needs items and connected with local and regional resources to aid in addressing an end to their experiences with homelessness. The CSOS will provide these services through scheduled outreach rounds of Friendship Places outreach territory by targeted appointment-based outreach services Welcome Center drop-in shifts and support of two (2) transitional shelters (St. Lukes and Metro-House). The position will also represent the Welcome Center Division at bi-weekly CAHP Matching Meetings and provide key updates and information related to policy and/or procedural changes related to the CAHP system.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

CAHP Systems Engagement & Outreach Services (60%)

• Serve as WC Division representative for the Coordinated Assessment and Housing Placement (CAHP) System meetings to support and report housing intervention matches and for the evaluation/submission of referrals for Rapid Rehousing Services
• Conduct outreach rounds throughout Friendship Place outreach territory to identify and engage with unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness and offering connections to basic needs services behavioral health services and other community-based services
• Conduct community engagement and education with key stakeholders service providers and other agencies currently not completing CAHP Assessments to support best practices and referrals for those in need.
• Engage in targeted outreach with participants experiencing homelessness across the District linked to Friendship Place to help in reducing barriers to housing and to facilitate engagement with matched housing providers
• Complete weekly HMIS Data for Drop-in and Street Outreach engagements to ensure that data is congruent with necessary CAHP procedures for eligibility and matching of participants

Welcome Center Drop-In Services (30%)

• Assist in maintaining a peaceful and welcoming environment in the Welcome Center through the delivery of relationally driven and person-centered solution services toward ending homelessness
• Assist individuals with acquiring necessary vital documents (Government ID Birth Certificate SS Card etc.) to support housing and employment accessibility
• Broker referrals and relationships with mental health and substance recovery services for participants.
• Conduct Coordinated Entry Assessments (VI/TAY/Full SPDAT) for participants experiencing homelessness and emergency/transitional shelter referrals
• Distribute basic needs items (Food Clothing Water Hygiene Items) and identified referrals to resources across the community as identified by participants

Transitional Shelter Support (10%)

• Communicate shelter vacancies to FP Divisions for referrals and support screening requirements and procedures
• Coordinate with National UMC Transitional House Board (THB) to schedule shelter interviews and move-ins upon participant approval
• Meet regularly with referred shelter participants House Manager and THB Members to support services aimed at moving toward housing stability.

Other General Duties:

• Participate in the planning and development of new projects as they relate to participant services
• Timely completion of all required paperwork case notes data entry
• Assess safety/well-being of participants and activate emergency services and other necessary supports as needed.
• Connect collaborate build and maintain positive relationships with external agencies that provide services to Friendship Place consumers.
• Actively participate in case meetings staff meetings and supervisions.
• Actively participate in trainings and other events offered by Friendship Place and other agencies.
• Assists with volunteers when necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalence Required.
• Bachelors degree preferred with concentration in Human Services/Social Sciences field

Qualifications:

• 1 year of experience with community engagement
• 2 or more years experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness mental health/substance abuse recovery;
• Must have or be able to obtain a First Aid/CPR/AED certification that includes a hands-on skills testing module. Friendship Place will provide First Aid/CPR/AED training
• Strong knowledge of human development person-centered services and best practices in homeless services (Housing First Harm Reduction etc.)
• Solid decision-making and problem-solving skills (Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; uses sound and accurate judgment; Attention to detail)
• Strong oral communication skills (Ability to speak clearly and convey vital information to diverse audiences active engagement in meetings)
• Strong written communication skills (Writes clearly informatively and with accuracy)
• Excellent Customer Service (Displays kindness and respect and meets service expectations; Upholds client confidentiality)
• Commitment to Growth and Development (Strives to build knowledge skills and best practices)
• Attendance/Punctuality (Consistently on time and ensures support coverage as necessary)
• Teamwork and Collaboration (Balances team and individual responsibilities; gives/receives feedback; upholds confidentiality; pursues objectivity and open dialogue)
• Strong work ethic including integrity honesty professionalism and accountability for actions and actions. (willingness support colleagues in achieving outcomes)
• Commitment to Organizational Practices and Culture (Mission Core Values Strategic Planning and Compliance)
• Experience with Microsoft Programs (Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook etc.) Internet services and web-based reporting systems.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) a plus

Working Conditions: Office/desk settings traveling to meet with participants and providers across the service area and attend meetings/engagements with key stakeholders. Travel time for position responsibilities may consist of up to 25% of time.

Physical and Environmental Requirements: Split time between an office setting and traveling to engagements via car or public transportation. Must be able to sit for extended periods of time with repetitive motion and positions. Must be able to operate a motorized vehicle. Some lifting may be required (up to 20-25lbs). Engagement with walk-in and ongoing participants in low-barrier environments (40%). Exposure to varying temperatures and precipitation when conducting street outreach rounds (heat/sun exposure wind rain cold/snow and ice) (25%).

Background Checks: The selected candidate will be required to pass a criminal history background check and/or fingerprinting including FBI and Metropolitan Police Clearance CFSA NSO Employment and Education Verification personal and professional references TB test a UDS and clearance from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Direct & Indirect Reports: None

Specific Requirements: Positions requiring travel must have reliable access to personal transportation to fulfill job duties. The vehicle must meet all legal requirements including valid registration and current auto insurance. Employees must provide the employer with current copies of their valid drivers license and proof of insurance. They must maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) that meets organizational or insurance carrier standards as a condition of employment. Additionally employees are required to notify the employer and provide updated documentation within a legally appropriate timeframe if there are any changes to their drivers license status or insurance coverage.

Other Details:

Application Deadline: This job is open until filled or the hiring manager determines that they can no longer accept applications.

Compensation: The starting hourly pay range is between $25.86 and $28.29. The starting hourly rate is based on a step system. A candidates starting pay determination is made based on meeting the basic position requirements and current completed education credentials and work experience.

Benefits: We offer an excellent benefits package including low-cost health insurance health reimbursement flexible spending accounts employer-paid dental vision short and long-term disability life insurance 403B defined contribution plan matching employee assistance programs professional development employee resource groups 14 paid holidays 15 days of vacation and 10 days of sick leave during 1st year of employment and much more! (Benefits are pro-rated for part-time employees).

COVID-19: All Friendship Place employees regardless of their vaccination status must continue to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19 in accordance with the agencys COVID-19 protocols and applicable law and guidance. This includes but is not limited to wearing masks in congregated settings washing their hands or using hand sanitizer often monitoring their daily health and staying home if they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (or if they are otherwise prohibited from reporting to work by health provider under CDC state and local guidance). Since the public health and legal landscapes regarding this policy are subject to frequent changes Friendship Place reserves the right to amend or cancel this policy at any time at its sole discretion consistent with applicable law consistent with CDC guidelines and the DC Department of Health.

Location: Washington DC

Interview Process: Phone screening panel style interview final interview.

Website:

Equal Opportunity Statement: We support all qualified individuals within our workforce without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status personal appearance familial status family responsibilities political affiliations matriculation credit and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Friend Place is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment its services programs and activities. To request reasonable accommodation contact human resources at

How to Apply: Interested applicants should apply via the organizational website. All of our current career openings can be found by visiting