Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Outreach Worker
An Outreach Worker is a professional who engages with individuals or communities to provide support, education, and assistance. They reach out to specific target populations or groups who may face various challenges, such as homelessness and lack of access to essential services and provide outreach services. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Outreach Workers.
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Main Responsibilities of Outreach Worker
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Outreach Worker:
Accompany
Accompany participants to appointments if needed.
Address
Address housing and re-housing issues and needs.
Adhere to
Adhere to all data security and privacy protocols around outreach and enrollment data.
Adhere to informed consent procedures and ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects.
Assess
Assess clients' needs, plan and implement interventions.
Assess client's relevant skill strengths and development needs.
Assist in
Assist clients / guests with special needs.
Assist clients with decision-making.
Assist clients with interpreting and completing government applications and other formal documents.
Assist clients with paperwork for benefits and entitlement programs.
Assist individuals in applying for Detox and Residential Treatment Services.
Assist individuals with connecting to Opioid Replacement Therapy's.
Assist in scheduling medical appointments and troubleshooting medical insurance issues.
Assist in the planning, organizing, controlling and directing the provision of outreach services.
Assist in the preparation of client and community outreach materials.
Assist in updating and maintenance of community information resources and systems.
Assist participants with appointment reminders if needed.
Assist people to attend culturally supportive events and land-based healing camps.
Assist with educational workshops, training, specific activities / events.
Attend
Attend general staff meetings and training as required.
Attend interagency and networking meetings and professional development as necessary.
Build
Build and foster positive relationships with property management companies.
Build relationships with landlords that is both respectful and professional.
Call
Call for assistance when appropriate.
Co-create
Co-create and give workshops as requested by the community stakeholders.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with members of Black CAP's support services team.
Collect
Collect and process claims, opens, and closes employer files in a timely manner.
Compile
Compile and submit accurate and timely monthly reports and as needed.
Compile a list of supplies / materials needed and submit for approval in accordance with procedures.
Complete
Complete a Criminal and Vulnerable Sector Record Check.
Complete all required reports.
Complete data input on ETO.
Complete of all necessary paperwork in a timely matter regarding housing the client.
Complete other duties and activities as assigned by the Program Coordinator / ED.
Complete Service Agreements with clients.
Complete shift exchange and case notes.
Conduct
Conduct appropriate follow-up and compete monthly / annual reports.
Conduct follow-up assessments.
Conduct medical needs assessments to individuals living on the street.
Conduct move in and move out inspections.
Connect
Connect and engage with homeless individuals.
Consult
Consult with the IPV Outreach Coordinator and Director of Programs on a regular basis.
Contribute to
Contribute and participate in activities related to annual work plan.
Contribute to program evaluation efforts.
Coordinate
Coordinate moving and transportation expenses.
Coordinate the deliveries of Nourishment Boxes (shopping, packaging, inventory, volunteer drivers).
Create
Create an inclusive environment in which all residents feel welcome to participate and contribute.
Create a safe, welcoming and calming environment for the individuals entering our facility.
Create, builds, and fosters partnerships with housing providers and landlords.
Create care plans with each client and help them set health related goals.
Develop
Develop and execute a proactive newcomer children referral and volunteer mentor recruitment strategy.
Develop and oversee a short-term case management plan for Black youth clients.
Develop and provides detailed reports summarizing the month's activities and programming.
Develop community relationships, supporting the project and peer support activities.
Develop service plans to assist clients with prioritizing needs and concerns.
Develop strong relationships with partnering agencies and other Wabano workers in order to enhance.
Direct
Direct outreach as assigned in collaboration with the ISCA.
Encourage
Encourage and model positive behaviour within the group setting and in public areas.
Ensure
Ensure a high quality of "Y experience” for program participants.
Ensure client assessments are being entered into the program database.
Ensure clients are fully informed of their obligations while in the Housing First Program.
Ensure effective, efficient use of resources and provide statistical data as required.
Ensure full compliance with LAMP's Health & Safety regulations and LAMP's policies and procedures.
Ensure program delivery is consistent with Our Place vision.
Ensure proper sign in / sign out procedures are followed.
Ensure quality of placements by matching skills the participants have with job requirements.
Ensure safe storage of equipment and supplies.
Ensure the client's ongoing legal, mental, and physical health issues are addressed in the plan.
Ensure the same high standard of service to participants working face to face or online.
Ensure weekly follow-up is provided to all clients known to be sleeping outdoors.
Enter
Enter client profiles and services in government and agency database systems.
Find
Find secure housing for clients who are being discharged from various sources.
Find sustainable housing for clients.
Follow
Follow safety related processes and procedures of the organization shared by the executive director.
Foster
Foster volunteer relationships and support of Ve'ahavta.
Gather
Gather and enter statistical data into EMRs as required.
Help
Help youth and their families to identify and articulate their needs.
Identify
Identify barriers where goals are not being met and communicates them to the Director.
Identify risk factors related to relapse and develops relapse prevention plans and strategies.
Identify resident champions to develop a Resident Engagement Advisory Committee.
Identify service gaps in meeting the needs of people on the streets.
Interact with
Interact with clients in a caring, non-judgmental manner.
Keep
Keep facility in a clean and tidy state at all times.
Keep an inventory of all supplies used / required.
Keep supervisor informed regarding the needs of clients and the actions taken.
Keep up to date case notes and data.
Keep vehicle clean, well-maintained, and serviced regularly according to service schedules.
Lead
Lead and support outreach activities at the partner locations.
Liaise with
Liaise between people who are homeless and other stakeholders in the community.
Liaise with partner agencies, and other professionals dealing with the homeless.
Liaise with other agencies and cultural groups on behalf of clients and agency.
Log
Log and case-note all contacts and notation of service provided in multiple document formats.
Maintain
Maintain accurate and updated client records and statistics.
Maintain a clean, organized and clutter-free learning space.
Maintain a client focused approach while interacting with community.
Maintain boundaries with the community members while working.
Maintain client files, program and related reports, and support the case for future funding.
Maintain communication with various assigned Cohorts.
Maintain daily statistics and provide effective verbal and written reports.
Maintain good standing in a professional association and follow professional guidelines and ethics.
Maintain knowledge of laws and legislation which affect our inner city family.
Maintain open lines of communication between various areas of OPS.
Maintain program housing statistics.
Maintain satisfactory criminal record check throughout employment.
Maintain the confidentiality and privacy of clients.
Maintain timely and accurate documentation.
Maintain tracking, reporting and budgeting.
Manage
Manage a group schedule to ensure all clients received proper follow up.
Manage program intake waitlist and short term crisis intervention.
Meet
Meet commitments i.e. adhering to work schedule, program and client needs.
Offer
Offer supportive counseling, information and timely referral services to clients.
Oversee
Oversee and manage foods and supplies orders.
Participate in
Participate in clinical supervision with the Director of Programs.
Participate in organizational committees and appropriate community committees.
Participate in related program, agency, and community meetings as assigned.
Participate in relevant meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
Participate in relevant training.
Participate in staff and resident / staff meetings as instructed by the Program Manager.
Participate in training opportunities through the Outreach Record Learning Portal.
Perform
Perform client intake to determine eligibility for benefits.
Place
Place youth into full time employment on a weekly and monthly basis in line with milestone targets.
Plan
Plan, conduct and deliver all cold calling and job search related workshops.
Populate
Populate the vehicle with supplies from the Ve'ahavta supply room.
Prepare
Prepare and submit outreach activity report to program coordinator.
Prepare youth for position specific interviews and conducts mock interviews as needed.
Promote
Promote and facilitate the utilization of peer support workers within the program.
Provide
Provide assistance in the conduct of weekly drop-in weekly workshops.
Provide client briefs to Follow Up Support Team members.
Provide client-centered, culturally based supports to assist Aboriginal people with obtaining income.
Provide counseling for appeals to benefits and entitlement programs.
Provide daily oversight to the position, the Worker position reports to the Director of Programs.
Provide first response to crisis intervention as required.
Provide food hampers and connect with other supports in the community.
Provide harm reduction supplies and cultural connection.
Provide individually tailored services to each client—i.e.
Provide information to families about youth services and resources available in the local community.
Provide intake services to potential clients.
Provide on-going support to volunteers.
Provide outreach services in areas wherever high-risk youth congregate.
Provide programs and services in various partner community locations including emergency shelters.
Provide short-term crisis counselling.
Provide support and education to clients through the facilitation of groups.
Provide support to all the Employment and Newcomer Services programs as need be.
Provide support to landlords during housing.
Provide thorough orientation and informal education pertaining to homelessness and systemic poverty.
Provide transportation or help coordinate transportation to and from medical appointments.
Purchase
Purchase / secure household items, food, and furniture.
Record
Record and maintain statistical information.
Record pertinent information pertaining to food distribution within the shift activity log.
Recruits
Recruits potential participants, provides information and answers questions about research studies.
Refer
Refer clients to other outreach and services as appropriate.
Refer participants to appropriate services and / or provides initial support when required.
Review
Review participant job search material prior to sending to employers.
Review questionnaires for completeness and accuracy.
Seek
Seek out culturally appropriate community and government supports.
Sit
Sit and / or drive a vehicle for long periods.
Supervise
Supervise activities of clients living in group homes and half-way houses.
Supervise a small team of volunteers, ensuring a safe and fulfilling volunteer experience.
Support
Support and assist clients in safely entering and exiting Outreach van.
Support and promotes member self-advocacy.
Support in accessing Naloxone therapy.
Support mechanisms for clients.
Support Team, the school provides appropriate, targeted.
Support the local community.
Support youth through an evidenced-based process to make positive changes in their lives.
Take
Take participants shopping for work and interview clothing.
Track
Track and record all required data related to outreach work and client interactions.
Track inventory of van supplies and order necessary supplies on a regular basis.
Track progress in accomplishing work plan goals.
Transport
Transport clients to viewings.
Transport equipment, medication and or test results on behalf of the Street Medicine team.
Understand
Understand how to use de-escalation techniques.
Work with
Work as part of a team by attending the team meetings, trainings, and regular supervision meetings.
Work closely with the Housing Coordinator to support members in finding and maintaining housing.
Work collaboratively with all staff and management to ensure high-quality programming.
Work effectively as part of a team, this includes demonstrating a willingness to be cross trained.
Work with members to identify goals and develop service plans.
Work with participants to link them to care coordination and HIV medical care.
Write
Write reports including tracking program statistics.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Outreach Worker:
Social Work
Valid Driver's License
Harm Reduction
Mental Health
Addictions
Microsoft Office
Outreach
Assessment
Addiction
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Outreach Worker:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Organizational capacity
Problem-solving attitude
Time-management
Commitment
Sensitivity
Flexible
Multi-task
Work independently with little direction
Critical thinker
Deal with potential violence
Initiative
Meet deadlines
Organized
