PATH Street Outreach Team Lead

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the THRIVE Homeless Support Services Program Manager, the Street Outreach Team Lead implements, supervises, and monitors the delivery of direct services within THRIVE Street Outreach service programs. Additionally, this position conducts outreach activities and case management in Clarke, Jackson, Walton, and Barrow Counties for individuals and families experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The focus of this position is both program implementation and supervision and direct engagement and service linkage for individuals served. Services include client support, case management, service linkage, and advocacy to obtain mainstream services as appropriate. This position is also responsible for data collection and reporting requirements associated with grant provider guidelines including PATH, ESG, and any other relevant reporting requirements.

Job Responsibilities and Performance Standards:

Program Implementation and Management

• Oversees the day-to-day program operations of the Street Outreach team
• Addresses issues related to program access, scheduling, referral, disciplinary actions, and/or staff coverage
• Coordinates the implementation and monitoring of direct service scheduling and safety practices within the Street Outreach team and ensures that established protocols are being followed
• Provides direct oversight and supervision of the case management staff within the Street Outreach team
• Conducts weekly team meetings to debrief, brainstorm, and plan activities
• Facilitates bi-monthly Camp Crisis Response Team meetings with community stakeholders, property owners, other outreach entities, community advocates, and other interested people to discuss and coordinate compassionate and collaborative responses to community complaints stemming from unsheltered homeless encampments
• Creates payment orders for programmatic expenses and review/approves payment orders created by subordinate staff
• In conjunction with and/or support from the Program Manager, promotes a supportive team environment that represents the mission, vision and values of Advantage and creates a collaborative team approach to problem solving and planning
• In conjunction with and/or support from the Program Manager, acts as a liaison and community representative in matters related to the Street Outreach team
• In conjunction with Advantage’s Human Resources Department, interviews, hires, directs, trains, evaluates the performance of, and when necessary, disciplines and discharges employees.

Outreach & Service Coordination

• Initiates and maintains relationships with relevant Advantage County Clinics and Advantage programs to promote access to services for those living unsheltered within service counties.
• Initiates and maintains relationships with identified community partners to promote effective service coordination and community response to the needs of those within the program’s target population.
• Maintains contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on client's overall progress
• Maintains proficiency in eligibility requirements and intake/screening and assessment processes within Advantage Clinics and community partners to support successful linkage to available resources
• Prepares payment orders for supply orders and direct client benefit, as applicable.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Collects and maintains required data and supporting documentation in order to maintain program adherence to grant reporting guideline
• Works with the Program Manager to create and submit monthly program performance reports
• Actively facilitates client service enrollment processes to support Advantage billing processes and requirements, as applicable
• Coordinates and delegates accurate Street Outreach team entry of data into local HMIS system
• Monitors and documents progress towards treatment goals within HMIS and Health Record System, as appropriate

Direct Services

• Assists unsheltered homeless individuals and families in locating and utilizing community resources including legal, medical, financial assistance, and other referral services
• Incorporates community-based outreach and engagement activities to build rapport and trust among the target population
• Case management: Works closely with clients to assess needs, establish goals, create action plans, complete applications for appropriate services, and conduct follow-ups
• Provides initial intake and assessment for new clients to determine eligibility for available housing financial assistance and enrollment into relevant coordinated entry systems
• Provides appropriate level of response to local business owners and other community members in contact with an individual who might need assistance
• Ongoing review of client progress and service note updates to document client progress toward stability
• Supports clients within the community or clinic setting and provides skill building services to assist with financial and social skills
• Prepares intake reports and case history records
• Provides crisis intervention to clients with emergency situations and service linkage to appropriate emergency services

Sample Technical Competencies:

1. Ability to build relationships among members of the target population, local business community, and representatives of local community service organizations
2. Provide clinically sound treatment services based on client needs and treatment plans
3. View, inspect, review, and analyze documents, spreadsheets, policies, etc.
4. Respond to a range of clients’ needs using differential diagnoses and treatment approaches
5. Provide appropriate crisis intervention services
6. Demonstrate understanding of sound ethical practice in conjunction with the established and defined ethics of one’s training and discipline
7. Must effectively demonstrate appropriate boundary setting with potential clients to support ethical service delivery and promote self-empowerment and determination
8. Effectively organize time and responsibilities
9. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment; and ability to multi-task and handle varying tasks simultaneously to meet deadlines
10. Work as part of a team, with other program staff.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s level degree in Social Services, or other related field.  Proven experience can be substituted for formal education.  Individuals with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.  A passion for connecting with individuals with behavioral health barriers is a must.

At least 2 years of related experience and/or training of mental health, working with homeless clients and their families, case management, and/or community/in-home based services.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree from an accredited educational institution in Psychology, Social Work, or Community Counseling AND at least 2 years of related experience and/or training of mental health, working with homeless clients and their families, case management, and/or community/in-home based services.  The position should also have experience with Individual Service Plans/Treatment Plans, familiarity with clinical terminology, and demonstrated program management experience and capabilities.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.