Outreach Advocate

Heluna Health; Los Angeles, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Heluna Health is seeking an Outreach Advocate for its Community Safety CIR.C.L.E. program in Los Angeles. This is a temporary, contract-funded, full-time, benefited position managed under the CIRCLE initiative to respond to diverted non-violent incidents involving unhoused individuals.

The role requires engaging PEH with trauma-informed care, coordinating with HMIS, and partnering with city and community stakeholders to connect clients to services and benefits.

Qualifications

• At least one year of job-related experience conducting street outreach to PEH and preferably has previous lived experience in homelessness, substance abuse, or criminal justice involvement.
• Ability to work well with diverse staff and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender and other diversity considerations.

Responsibilities

• Deploys with team to respond to diverted incidents from the City.
• Takes direction from Outreach Supervisor to provide support to PEH.
• Provide de-escalation and stabilization interventions.
• Enroll unhoused individuals in the HMIS and update client information.
• Assess clients for income and public benefits.
• Follow up to confirm referrals and linkages to services.
• Assist in transportation of unhoused individuals during adverse weather or emergencies.
• Establish positive relationships with clients and providers.

Skills

Street outreach

De-escalation

Cultural competence

HMIS data entry

Tools

HMIS

Computer literacy

Job description

The Community Safety Crisis and Incident Response Through Community-Led Engagement (C.I.R.C.L.E.) program is a 24/7 unarmed response program that deploys a team of mental health professionals and individuals with lived experience to address non-violent LAPD calls related to unhoused individuals experiencing crisis. Through this public health approach, the City is able to improve community safety and outcomes for Angelenos in need of social services and support. The goals of the program are to: (1) disrupt the reciprocal relationship between homelessness and the criminal justice system by promptly responding to diverted non-violent incidents related to persons experiencing homelessness (PEH); (2) de-escalate and stabilize incidents involving unhoused individuals; and (3) create enduring positive outcomes for those individuals through trauma informed rapport building, connections to services and resources, and case management.

The Outreach Advocate functions as part of a two-person Response Team (RT) consisting of an Outreach Supervisor and an Outreach Advocate. RTs will rapidly respond to diverted incidents from the City, including, but not limited to, LAPD, designated City agencies, and City-designated partners. The diverted incidents will pertain to PEH and will include, but will not be limited to, welfare checks, loitering or trespassing, inadequate clothing, noise disturbances, mental health-related disturbances, a person under the influence of a substance, requests for assistance, syringe disposal, verbal disputes, and transport to shelter/resources. Under the supervision of the C.I.R.C.L.E. Program Manager and the Chief Program Officer, the Outreach Supervisor provides leadership in responding to diverted incidents and will also work to coordinate with local stakeholders to connect PEH to applicable services, programs and benefits.

This is a temporary, contract-funded, full-time, benefited position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Deploys with team to respond to diverted incidents from the City.
• Takes direction from Outreach Supervisor to provide support to PEH.
• Provide de-escalation and stabilization interventions
• Work with Outreach Supervisor to enroll unhoused individuals in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and update client information in HMIS.
• Work with Outreach Supervisor to assess clients for income and public benefits.
• Monitor and follow up with individuals and service providers to confirm the timely completion of referrals and linkages, access to services and maintenance of services, documentation of follow-up, service status, and attainment in HMIS.
• Assist in the transportation of unhoused individuals during adverse weather events or city-declared emergencies.
• Establish positive relationships with clients, staff, and other providers in community; foster cooperative work environment.
• Minimize service duplication and maximize service delivery by coordinating outreach efforts and care with Service Planning Area, lead agencies and other homeless outreach teams within CIRCLE areas.
• Mentor and train staff on developing proper outreach skills, which include directing to follow proper policies and procedures.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation according to program requirements.
• Complete in-person and virtual trainings on time and attend all mandatory meetings.
• Must comply with uniform policy while conducting outreach in the field.
• Use assigned communication devices to appropriately and professionally communicate with team members and other service providers.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• At least one year of job-related experience conducting street outreach to PEH and preferably has previous lived experience in homelessness, substance abuse, or criminal justice involvement.
• Ability to work well with diverse staff and clientele including cultural, language, sexual identity, gender and other diversity considerations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Residence within the Zones, zip codes, or Council Districts of the Pacific CIRCLE Zone: El Segundo, Westchester, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, Venice, Palms.
• Knowledge of the client population and their complex needs including homelessness, financial instability, medical and mental health, and substance abuse.
• Experience in a community-based setting serving ethnically diverse, low-income clients. Knowledge of community resources and experience in community settings.
• Ability to use computers/internet to look up information and enter relevant notes.
• Analytical ability and skills to handle and solve complex issues and problems.
• Computer knowledge/skills or ability to learn.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Language capability: Spanish

Other Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Must possess a valid California Divers License.
• Driver must be 21+ with none of the following in the past 3 years: any 2-point convictions; or more than (2) moving violations; or more than (1) moving violation and (1) at-fault or a passenger handling accident.
• Successfully pass the background check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Must be in good physical condition and capable of performing job duties requiring frequent use of the entire body including ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, sit, drive for extended periods of time, exit and enter vehicles throughout your work shift.
• Ability to use a computer, phone or office equipment for extended periods of time.
• Ability to successfully and efficiently complete tasks in an environment where background noise is present and interruptions may be constant.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs.
• With instruction, the ability to assist persons with disabilities and to help transfer a 180 lb person and lift wheel chair in and out of a car or van.

Stand Constantly

Walk Constantly

Sit Frequently

Handling / Fingering Constantly

Reach Outward Occasionally

Reach Above Shoulder Occasionally

Climb, Crawl, Kneel, Bend Occasionally

Lift / Carry Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Push/Pull Occasionally - Up to 50 lbs

Talk/ Hear Constantly

See Constantly

Taste/ Smell Not Applicable

Not Applicable Not required for essential functions

Occasionally (0 - 2 hrs/day)

Frequently (2 - 5 hrs/day)

Constantly (5+ hrs/day)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Travel outside to various locations and on occasion, general office setting, indoors temperature controlled

EEOC STATEMENT

It is the policy of Heluna Health to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants, without regard to age (40 and over), national origin or ancestry, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, reproductive health decision making, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or a record or history of cancer), AIDS or HIV, genetic information or characteristics, veteran status or military service.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.