Overview:

Homeward Bound’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program provides short-term financial assistance for housing and case management support to veteran households experiencing homelessness in Buncombe County. The program’s Temporary Financial Assistance assists with move-in costs and can also provide short-term rental and or utility assistance. The program offers resources and services that are tailored to the unique needs of the household. We follow the Housing First model, which means clients are not required to meet preconditions (sobriety, engagement in treatment, income, etc.) in order to receive housing or services, as long as we can safely work with them. We work with vulnerable people, many of whom have experienced trauma and have mental illness and substance use disorders.

The Outreach Specialist works directly with the Outreach Program Manager to connect with veterans who are experiencing homelessness in the community or staying in various shelters. The Outreach Specialist will be responsible for regularly conducting outreach at various campsites throughout Buncombe County. The Outreach Specialist will also conduct outreach by connecting with other community partners such as 12 Baskets, Haywood Congregational Church, AHOPE Day Center, and others. The Outreach Specialist will also complete a pre-screening and enrollment process with veterans. The Outreach Specialist may be responsible for presenting veterans to a weekly Veterans Coordinated Assessment Meeting (VCAM).  The Outreach Specialist will collaborate with these providers to enroll clients referred to Homeward Bound through the coordinated entry process. 

Schedule and compensation: This is a full time, non-exempt position with hourly compensation.

• Maintain appropriate boundaries with veterans at all times to ensure their safety and yours
• Communicate with SSVF program staff to provide information regarding mental health, housing barriers, behavior patterns, etc. that the Outreach Specialist observes during intakes
• Outreach very low-income individuals and families. Conduct outreach in coordination with other HB programs and community service providers
• Assist those who are camping or are living in un-inhabitable situations who may qualify for services
• Build relationships with those individuals with the goal of assisting them in obtaining permanent housing
• Engage in crisis intervention strategies with program participants when appropriate
• Assist with maintenances of program databases and maintain a separate computer database of outreach and intake client contacts
• Assist in the development of positive working relationships with other agencies serving the homeless
• Collect required intake documentation and data for accurate assessment and intake of very low-income individuals and families and program evaluation
• Assess program participants in completing program intake forms
• Must be able to lift 50lbs
• Be an effective mediator and advocate for all clients
• Attend weekly team meetings and other specified meetings/trainings as required.
• Operate proficiently a personal computer, fax machine, printer, and copier
• Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with clients, their families, their significant others, coworkers, supervisors, other service agencies, and the community

All other duties as assigned. This job description does not list all job duties. Occasionally, the Rapid Rehousing Director Housing Director might request that you perform other reasonable duties in order to most effectively meet the needs of staff and clients.

Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelors level education in Social Work or a related field with equivalent experience in the field
• Experience in homeless services or related field

Requirements:

• Ability to be empathetic and to speak comfortably with individuals from all walks of life
• Willingness to work face to face with clients during the COVID-19 crisis
• Excellent de-escalation and crisis intervention/management skills
• Review eligibility and assessment documentation and provide consultation, ensuring compliance with funding requirements as well as policies and procedures
• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely manner including data entry into HMIS
• Work with each client to guide and develop person-centered plans (PCP) to set goals aimed at reducing harm
• Understanding of and commitment to Homeward Bound’s mission and philosophy of service delivery
• Prior experience with people experiencing homelessness and/or people with behavioral health needs is a plus

Homeward Bound bases its human resource decisions on objective criteria without regard to any characteristic or condition protected by law. We are committed to a workplace that offers equal opportunity without discrimination based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, disability, genetic information/medical history, military/veteran status, or any characteristic or condition protected by law, but not specifically mentioned here.

Homeward Bound is the leading nonprofit organization in Buncombe County focused on ending homelessness using the best practice Housing First model. We work collaboratively with community partners and have a proven track record of stabilizing individuals and families. Since 2006, Homeward Bound has moved more than 2,236 men, women, and children off the streets, out of cars, camps, and shelters, and into permanent housing – 89% have not returned to homelessness.

Our values:

• We believe in the absolute value and worth of every single human being.
• We believe that housing is a basic human right, integral to self-worth and dignity.
• We believe that homelessness is a solvable problem.

Mission: To prevent and end homelessness in our community through permanent housing and support.

For more information, visit: https://homewardboundwnc.org/