Outreach Specialist, Children & Youth (Nashville, TN)

Ranked one of Tennessee’s top places to work, MHC is a rare and special place where outstanding company culture is intentional. Where clients and associates are treated the same, as equals.

Mental Health Cooperative, Inc. (MHC) was formed in 1993 to serve individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.  Since then, we have expanded our services to children and adolescents with severe emotional disorders across Middle and East Tennessee.

Our sole purpose is to support and treat those challenged with serious mental illness and poverty. Although based out of Nashville, we serve several communities across middle and East Tennessee with satellite offices in Antioch, Gallatin, Dickson, Columbia, Cleveland, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Cookeville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. 

If you are interested in joining a team that is caring, collaborative, innovative and energizing this might be a great place for you!

Provide outreach in the community to individuals experiencing homelessness. Support, link, and refer homeless individuals to services and resources as appropriate in their community.

JOB TITLE: Outreach Specialist, Children & Youth (Nashville, TN)

SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

SALARY: $19.79 hourly (base pay) with additional incentive for language skills and behavioral health experience. Mileage reimbursement available.  

JOB SUMMARY: Provide outreach services for children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.  Support, link, and refer homeless children and families to services and resources as appropriate in their community.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide on-going outreach and in-reach to people experiencing homelessness, including in-reach hours at the local women’s shelter.
• Link and refer children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness to appropriate services and community resources.
• Advocate for consumer needs to be met.
• Coordinate and follow up with consumers and other community providers to ensure needs have been addressed.
• Transport consumers as needed.
• Re-engage and re-establish contact with consumers who have not followed through on necessary services.
• Develop rapport with children, youth, and families to assess and assist with housing needs, referrals, and resources.
• Research and be familiar with community resources and share resources with staff.
• Monitor transition of consumers into follow-up/referral services such as C&Y and Adult Care Management teams.
• Work cohesively with Care Managers and treatment team in the development and implementation of treatment plans.
• Develop and maintain relationships with other departments, teams, and community providers to facilitate collaboration among service providers.
• Provide assistance to shelter staff and C&Y Care Managers to assist with any problems or day-to-day issues.
• Ensure timely and appropriate documentation as required by organization; including notes, activity logs, HMIS data entry, etc.
• Maintain consumer confidentiality at all times.
• Participate in community coordinated events and meetings as appropriate and assigned.
• Attend monthly supervision meeting with direct supervisor, team lead, or Program Manager.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, training opportunities, team meetings and community meetings as designate by Supervisor and Program Manager.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, counseling, or related social service field or two (2) years of related experience. Internships and volunteer work may be counted for experience. 
• Proof of all required credentials shall be submitted upon request of the State.
• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License
• Acceptable Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• Acceptable Criminal Background Investigation
• Personal Automobile Insurance
• “F” Endorsement
• Cell Phone

 

ABOUT YOU:

Engagement Focused

• Courteous, friendly, professional
• Focused on consumer and family needs during meetings
• Listens well
• Knowledgeable of services offered by the agency
• Communicates effectively with consumers, families, community partners, and staff
• Ability to connect consumers and families to services based on individual’s needs

  Recovery Focused

• Documentation reflects quality service
• Tolerance/patience to work through difficult situations
• Side-by-side philosophy
• Individualized care

  Time Management/Organization

• Meets deadlines
• Prepared for meetings
• Rapid response in meeting with consumers upon intake completion
• Documentation is entered in a timely manner
• Plans for time off
• Prioritizes well
• Self-Disciplined
• Flexible

  Integrity and Trust

• Honesty
• Professionalism
• Dependability 
• Strong follow-through 

  Approachability

• Engagement skills
• Crisis management skills
• Ability to give and accept feedback 
• Ability to work with other departments 
• Understanding and empathetic

 

REPORTING TO THIS POSITION:

• None

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical demands: While performing duties of job, employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

BENEFITS: Mental Health Cooperative offers a full comprehensive benet plan for you to participate in. The following products are available:

• Medical Insurance/Prescription Drug Coverage
• Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Cancer Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• 403b - Retirement Plan
• Calm App for medication and mental health
• Gym membership discounts 

Mental Health Cooperative embraces inclusion, diversity and equal opportunity. We're committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Mental Health Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.