Community Support Services

The Opportunity: We are seeking to hire a DAP (Downtown Akron Partnership) Outreach Worker to join our Homeless Outreach Team. This individual does aggressive case-finding of persons who are homeless in the Downtown Akron area. This employee will engage individuals who are homeless in services and assist with accessing community resources, housing, and basic entitlements. The DAP Outreach Worker will make initial contact with the persons to be served in non-traditional settings such as meal sites, shelters, the street, abandoned buildings, etc.

What You’ll Do:

• Continuously and independently provide case finding through personal networking with street dwellers, shelters, meal sites and other places where homeless people gather, particularly in the downtown area. The Outreach Worker will coordinate outreach services with Block by Block and Downtown Akron Partnership staff.
• Assess persons who are homeless to determine appropriateness for service.
  • If appropriate, develop rapport through contacting persons to be served in their environment.  Provide or assist person in accessing basic necessities, such as food, clothes, blankets, shelter and entitlement programs.
  • If not appropriate for Community Support Services, assist person in accessing appropriate services through referrals to community resources.
• Work closely with other social services agencies that provide services to those who are homeless, or risk homelessness, by accepting referrals from them and making referrals to them.  Provide consultation/education regarding behavior management and mental health issues.
• Participate in regular team meeting with outreach nurse, psychiatrist, other outreach workers and residential staff.
• Request and/or schedule other necessary evaluations and assessments in order to identify strengths, needs, abilities and preferences of persons served.
• Provide, coordinate and/or assist in crisis intervention and stabilization services during regularly scheduled working hours and be available for "after hours" emergencies in accordance with established agency Emergency Services on-call procedures and grant requirements.
• Assist the person served in linkage with appropriate referrals to PATH, AoD outreach worker or other entities as warranted.
• Assist in the development of formal and informal community support activities on behalf of persons the agency serves.  
• Assist in the development and/or increasing social support networks of relatives, friends, and volunteer organizations that mediate life stresses resulting from the individual's needs.
• Accompany individuals served to activity sites and assist in daily living skills training as needed.
• Provide service linkage and advocacy in community settings as appropriate to the needs of the individuals served.
• Maintain relevant documentation and provide statistical reports in accordance with agency documentation standards and grant requirements, particularly in relation to DAP grant.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff and supervisory meetings.
• Responsible for being knowledgeable about rights of persons served and procedures governing them.
• Observe all rules of confidentiality as it relates to clinical information both internally and in dealing with outside individual(s) and/or agencies.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

About Us:  For over 35 years, Community Support Services has been making a difference in the lives of countless individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses. Our nearly 300 employees are real-life champions committed to quality treatment, collaborative care, and effective outcomes. Located in downtown Akron, Ohio, we serve as a leader in behavioral health care for the entire Summit County area.

What We’re Looking For: 

• Bachelor's degree in Human Service field preferred
• Prior experience in working with persons who have a severe mental illness required.  
• A car and a valid Ohio driver's license and insurability through the Agency's insurance carrier.  Ability to work a flexible work schedule.
• LSW preferred

What We Offer:

• Working within in a mission-driven, highly engaged environment
• A supportive, professional workplace with excellent resources
• Engaging, autonomous atmosphere
• Professional Development Assistance
• 401(k) with 5% employer contribution
• 10 holidays annually off work
• Subsidized membership to local YMCA branches

Company's website: www.cssbh.org 

Company's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/103601489691547/

Community Support Services is an equal opportunity employer utilizing affirmative action for veterans and candidates with disabilities.