Community Health Worker

SCHARP; Lynwood (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

SCHARP is seeking a Community Health Worker in Lynwood, CA to support justice-involved individuals transitioning from incarceration to stable community living. The role engages participants through housing-first, trauma-informed, person-centered care.

Responsibilities include outreach, intake, care coordination, health promotion, and housing stability support, with emphasis on documentation and quality assurance to improve outcomes.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, or related field preferred.
• CHW certification preferred or ability to obtain within required timeframe.
• Minimum one year of experience with reentry populations, homelessness services, or related fields preferred.
• Experience conducting field-based outreach and participant engagement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Outreach and enrollment for individuals reentering the community after incarceration.
• Build therapeutic relationships and promote sustained engagement.
• Assist intake and explain program expectations and available services.
• Support transition planning and continuity of care after release.
• Coordinate care plans and navigate across healthcare, behavioral health, housing, and benefits.
• Coordinate referrals for medical, mental health, substance use, and specialty services.
• Provide health education and coaching to support self-management and preventive care.
• Promote housing stability and assist with housing placements.
• Maintain timely participant documentation in agency systems.
• Participate in audits, quality assurance reviews, and program reporting.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve outcomes.

Skills

Participant engagement

Care coordination

Communication

Documentation

Trauma-informed care

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate/Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field

CHW certification preferred

Job description

2620 Industry Way
2620 Industry Way
Lynwood, CA 90262, USA

2620 Industry Way
2620 Industry Way
Lynwood, CA 90262, USA

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as an essential member of the JCOD Care Management team and supports justice-involved individuals transitioning from incarceration into stable community living. Through a housing-first, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach, the CHW engages participants in supportive services that promote health, housing stability, successful reentry, community integration, and long-term self-sufficiency.

The CHW functions as a trusted liaison between participants, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, housing resources, benefits systems, and community-based organizations. This position provides direct participant engagement, care coordination support, health promotion, advocacy, resource linkage, and field-based case management activities aligned with SCHARP’s supportive services model and departmental performance standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Participant Engagement & Reentry Support

• Conduct outreach, engagement, and participant enrollment activities for individuals returning to the community following incarceration.
• Establish therapeutic and professional helping relationships that promote trust, participant empowerment, and sustained engagement.
• Complete intake activities and assist participants with understanding program expectations and available supportive services.
• Support participant transition planning and continuity of care following release.

Care Management & Service Coordination

• Collaborate with Care Managers and interdisciplinary teams to implement individualized care plans and participant-driven goals.
• Support participant navigation across healthcare, behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and public benefits systems.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up for medical, mental health, substance use treatment, and specialty services.
• Monitor participant progress and identify barriers to engagement, service access, and retention.

Health Promotion & Wellness Support

• Provide health education and coaching that supports participants’ ability to manage health conditions and make informed lifestyle decisions.
• Promote preventive healthcare utilization including primary care appointments, medication adherence, and wellness practices.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and strengths-based engagement strategies to support participant self-management and behavior change.
• Support participants in addressing social determinants of health impacting stability and well-being.

Housing Stability & Community Reintegration

• Assist participants in securing and maintaining stable housing placements.
• Conduct home visits and community-based visits to assess participant adjustment, environmental concerns, and supportive service needs.
• Support life skills development including budgeting, transportation planning, appointment management, and independent living skills.
• Collaborate with housing and property management partners to address barriers impacting tenancy success.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete participant documentation in agency-designated systems.
• Complete case notes, participant contacts, care coordination activities, and required program documentation within established timelines.
• Participate in chart audits, quality assurance reviews, and program reporting requirements.
• Maintain compliance with confidentiality standards, HIPAA requirements, and agency policies.
• Participate in case conferencing, interdisciplinary team meetings, supervision, and training activities.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external community partners to strengthen participant outcomes.
• Contribute to program performance goals related to participant engagement, retention, housing stability, and service utilization.
• Support departmental initiatives and continuous quality improvement efforts.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred.
• Community Health Worker certification preferred (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with reentry populations, homelessness services, supportive housing, healthcare navigation, behavioral health, or community-based services preferred.
• Experience conducting field-based outreach and participant engagement strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, Housing First principles, motivational interviewing, and care coordination practices preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong participant engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with justice-involved and high-acuity populations.
• Understanding of community resources, public benefits systems, and care navigation practices.
• Effective documentation, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing compassionate support.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.

Qualifications

Skills

Behaviors

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Motivations

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Education

Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
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