Outreach Specialist

About Us:

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.

• →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 with permanent housing placement for participants
• →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
• →Develop, perform, and assist with workshops pertaining to household needs
• →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

Ability to work and deal with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs, which may include clients with homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration, and other challenges. 

• Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment.
• Street outreach, crisis stabilization and initial case management 
• Coordinates outreach efforts with Case Management team, supporting Case Management initiatives for clients served
• Monitor and maintain complete client records, daily activity logs, mileage logs, HMIS, and other reports as directed
• Provides life skills workshops as part of wholistic service effort; participates in crisis intervention as needed
• Outreach to community partners, to promote at risk youth programs and resolve homelessness.
• Other duties as required and is subject to change at any time. 

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities.

Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications
• Ability to perform under circumstances of possible emotional stress and conflicts dealing with difficult, uncooperative, and potentially aggressive clients as VOALA serves the neediest of the needy in our programs which may include clients with homelessness, mental-illness, substance abuse, recently released from incarceration and other challenges.

• Bilingual (Spanish)
• HMIS (homeless database)

Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, 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 I-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 (DHS) 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.

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

• Two years’ experience working with Justice Involved Populations, people in recovery and / or homelessness individuals