at Catholic Community Services in Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States
Job Description
OVERVIEW
The Housing and Health Opportunities (H2O) Outreach Specialist provides direct outreach, engagement, and service coordination to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability. This role uses trauma-informed, person-centered, and culturally responsive practices to support clients from initial engagement through housing stabilization. Position may from time to time be stressful and require a high demand of performance. May perform other duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Conducts street, shelter, and community-based outreach, including institutional and justice-involved engagement, to identify and engage individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Builds rapport using trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication, and maintains a consistent presence in encampments, public spaces, and service areas
- Assesses and prioritizes immediate safety, medical, and behavioral health needs, and connects individuals to crisis, emergency, and ongoing care services as appropriate
- Assists individuals with accessing basic needs, including food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies, and other essential resources
- Screens for Arizona Healthcare Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) eligibility; supports Medicaid enrollment; educates on benefits and services; and tracks application, referral, and enrollment status through completion
- Assists with obtaining identification, legal documentation, and required records to support eligibility, services, and housing access
- Identifies housing needs, preferences, and barriers, and conducts housing readiness and health-related social needs (HRSN) assessments to inform service planning
- Develops, implements, and updates individualized Housing Care Plans that address health-related social needs and support safe, stable housing outcomes
- Assists individuals in locating housing, completing applications, securing subsidies, and preparing for housing interviews, landlord meetings, and lease agreements
- Coordinates housing transitions and move-in logistics, including collaboration with landlords and identification of resources for deposits, utilities, furnishings, and related expenses
- Provides tenancy support, including education on tenant rights and responsibilities, lease compliance, communication with landlords, and conflict resolution
- Conducts home visits, with consent, to assess housing stability, safety, and habitability, and address concerns proactively while supporting independent living skills such as budgeting, hygiene, and household management
- Develops crisis prevention and intervention strategies to promote long-term housing stability and reduce risk of housing loss
- Coordinates care with healthcare providers, behavioral health providers, housing partners, landlords, and community-based organizations; provides warm handoffs to H2O and other services; and advocate for individuals' needs through multidisciplinary collaboration
- Maintains accurate, timely documentation in homeless management information system (HMIS), AHCCCS systems, and internal databases; tracks outreach and housing outcomes; and adheres to program policies, safety protocols, confidentiality standards, and grant requirements
- Participates in case conferencing, team meetings, and ongoing training to support program effectiveness and compliance
- Performs other duties as assigned
