What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Health Worker (CHW) / Care Navigator position at Upward Bound House?
Organizational Overview
Upward Bound House (UBH) is dedicated to ending the circle of intergenerational family homelessness. We compassionately provide a continuum of services ranging from crisis housing to permanent housing and homelessness prevention. With over 30 years of experience in family homelessness, UBH is a leading services provider, contributing to and advocating for lasting solutions to end family homelessness. Our diverse team is passionate about our mission. UBH provides a fast-paced environment that values empowerment, collaboration, diversity, relationships, efficiency and communication. UBH provides a supportive, caring and merit-based environment for team members and is vested in their growth and development. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.
Summary
The Community Health Worker (CHW) / Care Navigator plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families experiencing housing instability and other complex social needs. The CHW serves as a trusted bridge between clients, healthcare providers, and community resources, helping individuals access care, navigate systems, and improve overall health and housing stability.
Working as part of an interdisciplinary care team, the CHW conducts outreach, supports engagement in healthcare and social services, and assists clients in addressing barriers related to social determinants of health such as housing, transportation, food security, and access to medical care.
This position is particularly focused on supporting participants enrolled in community support programs under CalAIM.
The ideal candidate is compassionate, culturally responsive, and experienced working with low-income populations and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Essential Functions
Outreach and Client Engagement
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require an accommodation, please make sure to inform the Human Resources Department by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform the Human Resources Department of the need for accommodation at the time it is needed.
Upward Bound House (UBH) is dedicated to ending the circle of intergenerational family homelessness. We compassionately provide a continuum of services ranging from crisis housing to permanent housing and homelessness prevention. With over 30 years of experience in family homelessness, UBH is a leading services provider, contributing to and advocating for lasting solutions to end family homelessness. Our diverse team is passionate about our mission. UBH provides a fast-paced environment that values empowerment, collaboration, diversity, relationships, efficiency and communication. UBH provides a supportive, caring and merit-based environment for team members and is vested in their growth and development. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.
Summary
The Community Health Worker (CHW) / Care Navigator plays a critical role in supporting individuals and families experiencing housing instability and other complex social needs. The CHW serves as a trusted bridge between clients, healthcare providers, and community resources, helping individuals access care, navigate systems, and improve overall health and housing stability.
Working as part of an interdisciplinary care team, the CHW conducts outreach, supports engagement in healthcare and social services, and assists clients in addressing barriers related to social determinants of health such as housing, transportation, food security, and access to medical care.
This position is particularly focused on supporting participants enrolled in community support programs under CalAIM.
The ideal candidate is compassionate, culturally responsive, and experienced working with low-income populations and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
Essential Functions
Outreach and Client Engagement
- Conduct community outreach and engagement activities to connect eligible individuals and families to health, housing, and supportive services.
- Build trusting relationships with clients through consistent communication, field visits, and follow-up.
- Support member engagement and retention by maintaining regular contact and encouraging participation in healthcare and supportive service programs.
- Conduct screenings related to social determinants of health (SDOH) including housing stability, food security, transportation access, financial hardship, and healthcare access.
- Connect clients to community resources, public benefits, and supportive services that address identified needs.
- Support families experiencing homelessness or housing instability by connecting them to housing resources, supportive services, and community programs.
- Collaborate with housing providers, shelters, and community agencies to promote housing stabilization.
- Document all client interactions, outreach attempts, services, and referrals in the organization's data system in accordance with program and payer requirements.
- Ensure documentation is accurate, timely, and compliant with program standards and reporting requirements.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all HIPAA privacy regulations.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and local service agencies.
- Participate in community meetings, trainings, and outreach events to strengthen referral networks and promote program awareness.
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, Human Services, or a related field OR equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrated experience coordinating non-clinical health and behavioral health services
- Ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with DMH, UBH, and contract requirements
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred for community outreach and home visits.
- Ability to work flexible hours when necessary to support client engagement and community events.
- Ability to pass background clearance and meet all DMH/UBH compliance requirements
- Experience working with individuals or families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Experience in community health programs, housing programs, or social services.
- Experience supporting individuals with chronic health conditions, disabilities, behavioral health needs, or substance use recovery.
- Familiarity with Medi-Cal managed care systems and community-based health programs.
- Understanding of social determinants of health and their impact on health outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build trust with diverse populations.
- Ability to provide clear, culturally responsive health education.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain accurate documentation.
- Ability to work independently in community settings while collaborating effectively with a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to work effectively with diverse communities.
- Ability to work in the field and conduct home visits
- Ability to walk, stand, sit, and move throughout the facility
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds if needed (e.g., files, supplies)
- Ability to respond to crisis situations calmly and professionally
- Employment Eligibility Verification
- Reliable transportation
- Updated tuberculosis test
- Successful completion of background screening.
- CPR/First Aid training
- Must have Valid CA Driver's License
- Must provide proof of insurance coverage
- Must be able to qualify for UBH drivers’ insurance coverage
- Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
- Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Retirement savings plan.
- Paid time off and holidays.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Employee may be in contact with individuals and families in crisis who may be ill, using substances and/or not attentive to personal health and safety for themselves. The employee may experience a number of unpleasant sensory demands associated with the client’s use of alcohol and drugs, and the lack of personal care. The employee must be ready to respond quickly and effectively to many types of situations, including crisis situations and potentially hostile situations.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. If you require an accommodation, please make sure to inform the Human Resources Department by the first week of employment. If an accommodation is not required at the time of employment, but is later required, you must inform the Human Resources Department of the need for accommodation at the time it is needed.