The Navigator, Homeless Services and Outreach Providence is a direct service position that provides advocacy and hospital transition services to individuals experiencing homelessness who access care at Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. This is a Catholic Charities employee stationed at Providence Hospitalfour days a week, with one day in the community, providing outreach to local medical providers and homeless services agencies, including Sonoma County Nightingale post-hospital respite shelter. The Navigator, Homeless Services and Outreach Providence maintains professional relationships and communicates effectively with all internal and external partners using shared tools provided by CCDSR. The Navigator, Homeless Services and Outreach Providence brokers individual and family referrals, Coordinated Entry Assessments, homeless shelters, public benefits, financial literacy, food security, homeless drop-in services, outreach teams, domestic violence shelters, youth and parenting services, community medical services, child protective services, county behavioral health, and other related providers. The Navigator, Homeless Services and Outreach Providence utilizes relevant resources that are trauma-informed, harm reduction-focused, and oriented toward individual/family resilience.

Essential Functions

1. Work closely with hospital staff including social workers and emergency room personnel to ensure proper care coordination and discharge planning.
2. Conduct Coordinated Entry Assessments with participants, with the objective of determining housing barriers and program or service eligibility.
3. Divert, link, or schedule individuals and families with the appropriate resources and/or services. Create individual and family linkages and referrals, homeless shelters, public benefits, financial literacy, food security, homeless drop-in services, outreach teams, domestic violence shelters, youth and parenting services, community medical services, child protective services, county behavioral health, and other related providers.
4. Assist clients in applying for public benefits and services. Assess client assistance based on eligibility for programs within the agency and through local partners. Utilize and provide feedback on internal and external agency referral processes.
5. Maintain up-to-date and thorough Case Records, and document service encounters as required. Input data in a timely manner in Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), DataLink, and/or Smartsheet, and/or Providence Medical records management system.
6. Participate in professional development based on performance reviews and advancement of knowledge and skills in job-related areas, including training to provide specialized service and increased performance as a service navigator.
7. Conduct Nightingale Post-Hospital Programmatic intakes and screenings - assist with Nightingale assessment and referral processing.
8. Practice assertive engagement with individuals and families through persistent and creative activities to encourage participation and promote follow-through.
9. Develop and manage a comprehensive outreach/working relationship with all stakeholders, including hospitals, social workers, staff, clients, patient advocates, community-based agencies, and homeless services providers.
10. Serve on an agency or community service committee representing the department and/or organization. Participate in agency, state, and local training and workgroups to remain informed on up-to-date resources and information. Participate in workshops and attend community events to provide information and access to Catholic Charities’ programs.
11. Conduct related duties independently, exercise sound professional judgement, maintain case records with minimal documentation errors and/or corrective actions.
12. Complete required training and certification within established deadlines.
13. Respond to calls, emails, update requests and other inquiries in a professional and timely manner.
14. Follow all best practices standards of care and Catholic Charities’ Policies and Procedures, including Release of Information, informed consent, confidentiality, and file documentation.
15. Attend resource/health fairs, community events, and other “in-person” opportunities for outreach.
16. Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of Catholic Charities in the performance of all essential job functions and responsibilities.

Note: Catholic Charities considers this position to be a mandated reporter of child abuse and elder abuse.

Other Responsibilities

1. Work with the Diocese of Santa Rosa and local parishes as appropriate and requested.
2. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Agency Culture

It is essential that all employees of Catholic Charities aspire to the following:

• A commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• A commitment to excellence in everything we do.
• A commitment to performance and quality improvement.
• A commitment to outcomes and measured results.
• A commitment to innovation and to what is possible.

Education, Experience, and Skills Required

1. High School Diploma or High School Equivalent (HSE) required; associate or bachelor's degree in a social service or related field, one to two years’ experience working as a case manager in homeless services or housing navigation, preferred. Coursework towards social and human service studies, or equal work experience in a related field may also be considered.
2. Understanding of causes of homelessness, experience working in social services, and familiarity with community resources. Knowledge of Housing First principles and methods, Harm Reduction, and Trauma Informed Care service delivery.
3. Familiarity with public benefit application, eligibility, and screening procedures including Cash Aid Programs, Food and Nutrition, Child Services, Adult Services, Immigration Services, and Human Trafficking Victim Services.
4. Familiarity with healthcare systems and healthcare advocacy.
5. Establish and maintain a therapeutic/medical care coordination relationship with participants, medical providers, and community partners while maintaining professional boundaries.
6. Ability to work under pressure with a positive, solution-oriented approach.
7. Computer literacy required, including experience with Microsoft 365 and Excel.
8. Strong written and verbal communication; organization, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills, and cooperative, friendly, proactive, and helpful attitude with clients and co-workers. Ability to work closely with clients and other employees to ensure a positive and constructive environment within the program or department and throughout the Agency.
10. Support the Mission, Vision, and Values of Catholic Charities in the performance of all essential job functions and responsibilities.
11. Valid driver license and at least state-required minimum of automobile insurance, clear DMV driving record and ability to provide own transportation. Must be willing and able to travel between agency sites, medical providers, and community resource partners.
12. Must pass DOJ background clearance (fingerprinting) in accordance with the Diocese of Santa Rosa’s policies prior to start of employment.
13. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required.

Equal opportunity employer

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa is an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking the best and brightest. Our organization does not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or status with regard to public assistance. We support, educate, create opportunities for, and ensure the wellbeing of our staff for the betterment of those most in need.

CCDSR participates in E-Verify, an Internet-based system that compares information entered by an employer from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to records available to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration to confirm employment eligibility