Outreach & Diversion Specialist

Friends of the Family; Waterloo (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Friends of the Family in Waterloo, IA seeks a frontline professional to develop and deliver street outreach, crisis intervention, and diversion services within assigned areas. You will engage with individuals experiencing homelessness and connect them to case management and housing programs.

This role requires strong organization, confidentiality, and the ability to travel across the service area; background checks will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social work, psychology, or related field; or equivalent education/experience.
• Experience in victim services, crisis intervention, housing programming, or case management preferred.
• Ability to travel within the service area and state for trainings.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and planning skills; maintain confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach to understand homeless population and provide intervention.
• Engage individuals experiencing homelessness in case management and supportive services.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with housing service providers, crisis centers, hospitals, and other programs to assist in quick access to these services.
• Coordinate diversion efforts in assigned service area.
• Provide service assessment, crisis counseling, and access to housing programs.
• Assist with homeless verification and PSH certification.
• Comply with data tracking and documentation requirements.
• Represent FOF at community and program development meetings as assigned.
• Conduct follow-up with clients we serve who are currently living on the streets to continuously provide resources.

Skills

Organization & planning

Confidentiality

Travel required

Case management

Education

Bachelor degree in social work or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Develop and deliver street outreach, community engagement, and diversion services throughout assigned service areas.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Street Outreach | Crisis Intervention | Community Collaborations | Assessment of Service Needs

Data & Documentation

What You Will Do:

• Conduct street outreach in assigned service areas to best understand homeless population and provide intervention.
• Engage individuals experiencing literal homelessness in case management and supportive services.
• Develop and maintain local partnerships with housing service providers, crisis centers, hospitals, and other programs to assist in quick access to these services.
• Coordinate diversion efforts in assigned service area.
• Provide service assessment, crisis counseling, and access to housing program s.
• Assist with homeless verification and complete PSH certification.
• Comply with data tracking & documentation requirements.
• Represent FOF at community and program development meetings as assigned.
• Conduct follow-up with clients we serve who are currently living on the streets to continuously provide resources.

Job Qualification and Competencies:

• Must demonstrate ability to organize, prioritize and plan work to meet deadlines.
• Ensure confidentiality is in place for all people FOF serves.
• Bachelor Degree in social work, psychology, related field OR combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Previous experience in the following preferred: victim services, crisis intervention, housing programming, and/or case management.
• Ability to travel throughout the FOF service area to provide in-person advocacy services and to other locations within the state as necessary for training purposes.
• Ability to pass state, federal, and child abuse background checks.