Outreach Specialist

Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid Holidays

Health Insurance (HMO/PPO)

Dental & Vision

FSA

403(b) Retirement

Life & Disability Insurance

Education & Training Support

Voluntary Benefits

EAP

Job summary

Healthcare Alternative Systems, Inc. is seeking an Outreach Specialist to join our multidisciplinary team in the Chicago area.

The role focuses on outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness who have serious mental illness and/or substance use disorders, with a goal of linking them to permanent housing and housing resources. The position requires outdoor work, a flexible schedule including weekends, and strong case-management skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.

Responsibilities

• Work outdoors in various weather, 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday; weekends for events.
• Provide outreach and case management including intakes, assessments, service planning, referrals, linkage, and advocacy.
• Identify participant needs and barriers; assist with problem solving.
• Help participants obtain vital documents (state ID, birth certificates, SSN).
• Connect participants with housing waitlists and resources (Coordinated Entry, SRN, CHA, HUD).
• Assist linkage to mainstream benefits (Medicaid, SSI/SSDI).
• Maintain relationships with partner housing and community service agencies.
• Conduct regular site visits to encampments and catchment areas; identify new locations.
• Participate in networks/coalitions serving SUD/SMI and homelessness.
• Deliver harm reduction supplies and education; document in HMIS and CareLogic.
• Liaise with community resources for clients.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Outreach

Case management

Bilingual English/Spanish

Trauma-informed care

Motivational interviewing

Cultural competence

Conflict mediation

Travel readiness

Education

High school diploma or GED

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

HMIS

CareLogic

Job description

MISSION/VISIONHealthcare Alternative Systems (HAS) provides a continuum of multicultural and bilingual (English/Spanish) behavioral care and social services that empower individuals, families, and communities. H.A.S. seeks to implement sustainable programs that benefit society by improving the well-being and recovery efforts of those individuals, families, and communities impacted by behavioral health problems. With eleven locations across the Chicagoland area, H.A.S. provides services and resources to individuals at every stage in their behavioral/recovery journey so that they can be successful and become contributing members of their communities.JOB SUMMARYUnder the supervision of the Outreach Team Lead, the Outreach Specialist is responsible for working as a part of a team to provide comprehensive support services to individuals experiencing homelessness who are living with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Outreach specialists maintain long-term relationships with homeless communities around the Austin community and nearby west suburbs to effectively deliver low-barrier services with the goal of connecting people experiencing homelessness who are living with SMI and/or SUD to permanent supportive housing or other housing resources as appropriate.ESSENTIAL DUTIES*Must be flexible and able to work outdoors in climate weather. 9am-5pm Monday-Friday Must be available for weekend events.Must be great at outreach and case management services including intakes, assessments, basic service planning, referral and linkage management, and advocacy to and for individuals who are homeless.Identifies participant needs, including barriers to receiving appropriate services and assists with effective problem solving to address issues.Supports participants in obtaining vital documents, including but not limited to state ID, birth certificates, and social security cards.Connects participants with any housing waitlist resources as eligible, including Coordinated Entry System, SRN, CHA, site-based HUD section 8, SROs, and more. Continues to work with participants until they are successfully transitioned to housing.Supports participants with linkage to mainstream benefits including LINK, Medicaid, and SSI/SSDI based eligible.Maintains working relationships with community partner agencies offering various housing and community services to our participant base.Conducts regular visits to all identified outreach encampments and locations in the catchment area, including and work to continuously identify new areas and individuals who are in need of services.Actively participates in relevant networks/coalitions serving clients affected by SUD, SMI, and homelessness.Delivers harm reduction supplies, resources, and education to participants and neighboring communities.Documents all service provision in a timely fashion in HMIS as well as in CareLogic.Displays thorough understanding of trauma-informed care and harm reduction.Liaises with appropriate community resources on behalf of clients.Performs other duties as assigned.REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIESAbility to transfer knowledge and skills in areas such as, but not limited to, engagement, developing a therapeutic alliance, harm reduction, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed services, cultural competence, conflict mediation, etc.;Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) preferredMust be flexible to adapt to schedules of workload to the needs and demands of the program;Possession of valid Illinois Driver’s license and willingness to use personal vehicle in course of employment, including transportation of program participants as needed.Minimum automobile insurance required by the state of Illinois.Ability to travel to various agency locations (12) throughout the Chicagoland area;H.A.S. requires all staff to work on site and in the field.EDUCATION & EXPERIENCEMinimum of a high school diploma or (GED) is required. Bachelor’s degree, from a regionally accredited educational institution which has U.S. Department of Education approval, is preferred.Minimum 2 years’ experience working in case management and/or outreach setting (personal experience participating in services may substitute for up to 1 year of work experience)PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSSedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading.Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITSAt HAS, we value our employees and offer a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and financial security. When you join our team, you’ll receive:19 Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)13 Paid Holidays – Enjoy time off to rest and rechargeComprehensive Health Insurance – Affordable HMO, PPO, and HSA options through Blue Cross Blue ShieldDental & Vision Coverage – Choose from HMO or PPO dental plans and vision coverage through Blue Cross Blue ShieldFlexible Spending Account (FSA)- Medical, dependent care and commuterRetirement Plan – 403(b)Life & Disability InsuranceEducation & Training Support - $200 dollars annualVoluntary BenefitsEAP