SOAR Coordinator

Job Title

SOAR Coordinator

Reports to

SOAR Supervisor

FLSA / WAGE

Non-Exempt / $21.11 - $22.38

Original Date:

December 2018

Revised:

December 2021

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for providing street outreach to individuals who are experiencing a mental illness and a housing crisis with the intention of screening and applying them for disability benefits through the SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) Program. They will also do in-reach to hospitals to ensure they are assisting members who are inpatient have access to SOAR services. Outreach responsibilities include: engaging in basic conversation, assessing an individual’s needs, discussing available services including housing and disability assistance, providing informal one-on-one care, making referrals to other service providers or agencies and engaging in other activities that may promote recovery or stability for the individual; offer assessment and recovery services for persons with co-occurring disorders of mental illness and substance use disorders.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Conducts outreach to individuals experiencing a mental illness and a housing crisis in Davidson County to assist in connection to income, insurance, and mainstream services.
   1. Establishes rapport with individuals who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and gathers information to potentially apply them for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. Trust building activities like meeting the client where they are—from campsites to community feedings—is emphasized.
   2. Is trained and utilizes the SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery) Nashville process for connection to income and insurance services. Continues to provide support and refers to services once a client has obtained disability benefits and competed the program.
   3. Completes required trainings for documentation to take place in Park Center’s Electronic Medical Record, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), Online Application Tracking (OAT) and any other required systems per grants, for the disability process to take place.
   4. Attempting to engage people experiencing homelessness in a manner that promotes trust, safety, and autonomy, while developing relevant goals.
   5. Guiding people to achieve and maintain positive change. Reinforcing healthy behaviors and supporting skill-building and the development of needed supports.
   6. Interviewing people experiencing homelessness to gather needed information and documentation for housing and services including the VI-SPDAT, universal data elements for HMIS and other required HMIS data elements for Coordinated Entry and ESG-CV program specific data.
   7. Establishes rapport with individuals who are experiencing homelessness and gathers information to serve them better. Trust building activities like meeting the client where they are—from campsites to community feedings—is emphasized.
   8. Completes appropriate referrals for services and treatment. Assists in linking individuals to resources, including transporting clients, as needed.

1. Provides in-reach and SSI/SSDI assistance to individuals that are inpatient at hospitals in Davidson County and who may be eligible for SSI/SSDI benefits and experiencing a mental illness
   1. Provides in-reach to such individuals, assessing their needs, and identifying those who have a disabling condition and who may be eligible for SSI/SSDI benefits.
   2. Establishes rapport with potentially eligible individuals and gathers information to assess eligibility for SSI/SSDI grant services.
   3. Completes required documentation for in-reach and referral within timeframes specified by the grant.
   4. Completes appropriate referrals for needed services and treatment, and links individuals to resources.
   5. Works closely with social work staff and treating physicians.

1. Demonstrates specialized knowledge of and competency in the SOAR SSI/SSDI outreach processes and procedures.
   1. Completes screening/intake packet on individuals identified as potentially appropriate for program within timeframes specified by the grant.
   2. Determines whether the individual meets the requirements for inclusion into the program and documents appropriately.

1. Collects all data necessary for completion of the SSI/SSDI application process.
   1. Collects information from referral source, screening, application, functional interview, and summary.
   2. Works closely with local SSA office to negotiate pre-release agreements for clients prior to discharge.
   3. Submits request for treatment records from past and current providers with appropriate release of information from member.
   4. Schedules independent psychiatric evaluations when appropriate.
   5. Tracks receipt of all information and ensures adherence to program timelines.

1. Compiles all clinical data into a comprehensive medical summary report that addresses the history of the disabling condition and the functional limitations caused by the disability.
   1. Completes a summary report on all applicants that includes description of individual’s presentation during interviews, personal and social history, physical health history, psychiatric history, and functional limitations.
   2. Ensures that medical summary report is co-signed by a Licensed Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Nurse Practitioner or M.D. for the summary to be submitted as medical evidence to SSA/DDS.

1. Submits comprehensive medical evidence to SSA/DDS.
   1. Ensures that all relevant medical evidence is submitted to SSA/DDS within the timeframes outlined by the program.
   2. Tracks progress of application at SSA and DDS and provides additional information if requested.
   3. Informs the client once the claim is approved or denied and assist as needed.

1. Values cultural competence and diversity
   1. Collaborates with staff, members, and the community to gain the perspectives of others having diverse opinions, abilities, values, beliefs, perspectives, and ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
   2. Takes deliberate steps to increase own cultural competency by attending trainings, events, discussions, workshops, etc.

1. Other duties
   1. Attends local community meetings regarding homeless services and advocacy including How’s Nashville housing navigator meetings, Outreach meetings, Nashville Coalition for the Homeless meetings, Coordinated Entry System Care Coordination meetings, etc.
   2. Participates in other Park Center agency activities such as special events and working designated holidays, including Thanksgiving or Christmas, as scheduled.
   3. Participates in annual Point in Time Count which involves working overnight to take a census of the local homeless population.
   4. Adheres to all program policies and procedures.
   5. Will be cross-trained in other job duties, such as street medicine, housing navigation etc. to act as a support person to co-workers on the outreach team.
   6. Completes all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work or related field.
• Must have at least 1-year prior experience in serving individuals experiencing mental illness, substance use and or homelessness, preferably in Nashville.
• Strong ability to work within a team with flexibility to help with coverage.
• Strong time management skills and ability to independently meet deadlines.
• Strong communication skills and ability to foster partnerships with other providers.
• Ability to work in a professional and ethical manner.
• Must have proven written and verbal communication skills and computer literacy.
• Must have a valid drivers’ license
• Must be able to show proof of personal automobile insurance.
• Must be insurable under Park Center's automobile insurance.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Will have a desk, workstation, cell phone, and a shared office
• Able to operate with many distractions
• Routine office environment
• Commitment to consistent communication with teammates and supervisors regarding location while in the field, in case of emergency, or to ask for assistance
• Spends considerable amount of time “in the field,” including on the streets, in homeless camps, and at other community agencies and where individuals experiencing homelessness congregate.
• Able to use vehicle to transport clients
• Unpredictable and potentially unsafe work environments when “in the field,” i.e. in homeless camps
• Supportive team environment and safety policies designed to limit risk exposure
• In the event of a public health crisis, certain precautions and personal protective equipment may be employed and required for the safety of staff and members

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Able to move or lift to ten pounds
• Able to climb inclines such as under bridges
• Able to walk on unsteady ground such as in the woods to reach encampments
• Acts as a lead outreach worker and provide support to other outreach workers on a day to day basis.
• Completes reports for outreach workers to know how many members have been served.
• Assist the Director with training of other outreach workers.
• Assists provide coverage to outreach workers.
• Completes all other duties as assigned.

DIRECT REPORTS

None

BENEFITS

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Short Term and Long Term Disability insurance

• Employee discounts

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Retirement plan

• Health Savings Account

• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account