Outreach Specialist MediCal Housing Santa Ana

About Us:

VOALA
Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories

Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at www.voala.org.

CalAIM Community Supports

Health Supportive Services (HSS) provides assistance with obtaining housing navigation services. This includes assisting with voucher applications, housing applications, developing an individual housing support plan, etc. HSS also helps with funding for housing deposits to successfully sign a lease, along with a furniture bundle once the client has successfully moved in. Also provides housing stability support via case management to ensure client maintains stable housing tenancy. This is done by aiding with financial literacy, providing referrals and resources, and more.

Services offered to:

• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• High Utilizers with frequent hospital or ER visits/admissions
• Individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) or substance use disorder (SUD) and other health needs
• Individuals transitioning from incarceration
• Housing Navigation: assists homeless members with finding housing
• Tenancy Services: assists formerly homeless members with maintaining safe and stable tenancy once housing is secure

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Outreach Specialist is responsible for promoting the program throughout the surrounding areas, supporting clients in need of crisis intervention methods in order to prepare individuals for further success. Conducts community outreach to develop resources to support clients and their families. Part of a multi-disciplinary team that provides case management, housing referral, substance abuse referral, financial counseling and benefits services, as may be needed.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides street outreach, engagement, crisis stabilization, trauma-informed case management, and referral services for clients and their families
• Conducts initial street screenings, immediate needs assessments, and crisis stabilization
• As a member of the program case management team, provides information referrals, crisis intervention, and assistance or referrals as may be appropriate
• Assists case managers in conducting the comprehensive screenings and assessments to collect functional, environmental, financial, employment, housing, educational, and health information, as appropriate, to develop an Individual Service Plan
• Coordinates follow-up services with case management team; records all services provided
• Performs tasks of Case Manager or Housing Specialist as needed
• Assists program staff in integrating development strategies and other evidence-informed practices to provide a holistic service approach including providing life skills through “teachable” moments
• Provide crisis intervention if needed, and make referrals to appropriate community resources
• Leads community outreach for program, represents VOALA at meetings of working groups specific to housing Justice Involved Populations, attends Apartment and Relator Association meetings, develops community partners.
• Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related discipline, Or
• Equivalent combination of education and work experience (four years)

EXPERIENCE:

• Two years’ experience working with the target population (youth and victim populations, people in recovery and / or homelessness, as may be appropriate)

KNOWLEDGE:

• Knowledge of case management.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:

• Microsoft Office Suite, including: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint; familiar with Databases.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Able to develop relationships with program participants, their families, as well as a variety of service stakeholders (schools, health and public benefit agencies).
• Strong written and oral skills in the English language, able to accurately complete required reports and data entry.
• Able to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflict, including dealing with un-cooperative clients.
• Able to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards.
• Able to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards.
• Must be willing to travel/drive company vehicle through Los Angeles County.

INTERPERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Must be able to work effectively with people from all walks of life with compassion
• Hold a California Drivers license, with required insurance and a reliable vehicle.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual (Spanish)
• HMIS (homeless database)

VOALA BENEFITS SUMMARY:

• Choice of 3 medical insurance plans
• Choice of 2 dental insurance plans (one plan for employee only; has no premium)
• Vision insurance plan
• Voluntary Supplemental Coverage
• Accidental Injury Coverage
• Hospital Care Coverage
• Critical Illness Coverage
• Paid vacation time
• Paid sick time
• 10 company paid holidays
• Company funded 401a retirement pension plan
• Optional employee contribution to 403b retirement savings plan
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Programs to maintain your health and well-being
• Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) – (No cost to employee and 100% confidential)
• Company funded Short-term Disability Insurance (STDI) Insurance
• Company funded Long-term Disability Insurance (LTD)

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form 1-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (OHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.