Street Outreach Worker

Outreach Community Health Centers; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Outreach Community Health Centers seeks an Outreach Worker to conduct street outreach, perform face-to-face assessments, and coordinate referrals to shelters and services for unhoused individuals.

You will identify locations, assist with essential needs, connect clients to housing, medical, and legal resources, and document encounters in the Wisconsin Service Point system. This role requires collaboration with case managers and community partners.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Six to twelve months of related experience preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct street outreach in various settings (streets, under bridges, encampments, meal sites, shelters, and other congregate locations) to identify potential clients.
• Perform face-to-face assessments with clients and determine appropriate referrals.
• Identify new locations where unhoused individuals may be found.
• Assist clients in accessing food, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and shelter or housing when available.
• Distribute information packets about available services.
• Support clients in connecting with housing, medical and mental health care, legal assistance, benefits, and AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) services.
• Refer clients for screenings, assessments, and case management as needed.
• Collaborate with case managers to connect clients to qualified resources.
• Provide referrals and assistance with obtaining Social Security and/or SSI benefits.
• Accurately complete Encounter Forms and enter assessments into the Wisconsin Service Point database.
• Provide transportation to shelters when necessary.
• Participate in the weekly A.M. shift (Fridays, 2:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.).
• Complete special projects and maintain required documentation and records.
• Attend mandatory trainings and meetings.
• Report maintenance or service needs for Outreach vehicles.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and agencies.

Skills

Street outreach

Face-to-face assessments

Referral coordination

Community partnerships

Social services navigation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

6–12 months related experience preferred

Job description

Job Purpose and Reporting Structure:
Under the direction of the Director of Homeless Services, the Outreach Worker conducts face-to-face assessments with clients and provides appropriate referrals to homeless shelters or short-term case management in alignment with agency policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct street outreach in various settings (streets, under bridges, encampments, meal sites, shelters, and other congregate locations) to identify potential clients.

• Perform face-to-face assessments with clients and determine appropriate referrals.

• Identify new locations where unhoused individuals may be found.

• Assist clients in accessing food, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and shelter or housing when available.

• Distribute information packets about available services.

• Support clients in connecting with housing, medical and mental health care, legal assistance, benefits, and AODA (Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) services.

• Refer clients for screenings, assessments, and case management as needed.

• Collaborate with case managers to connect clients to qualified resources.

• Provide referrals and assistance with obtaining Social Security and/or SSI benefits.

• Accurately complete Encounter Forms and enter assessments into the Wisconsin Service Point database.

• Provide transportation to shelters when necessary.

• Participate in the weekly A.M. shift (Fridays, 2:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.).

• Complete special projects and maintain required documentation and records.

• Attend mandatory trainings and meetings.

• Report maintenance or service needs for Outreach vehicles.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with community partners and agencies.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Six to twelve months of related experience preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Additional Requirements:
Outreach Community Health Centers requires employees in certain departments to be fully vaccinated against MMR, Varicella, and Influenza.

Outreach Community Health Centers, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer