JOB SUMMARY:
The Mental Health Specialist (Pomona) conducts outreach and housing navigation activities with a focus on chronically homeless and highly vulnerable individuals. S/he is a member of an interdisciplinary team that will provide services to clients on the streets and in encampments. The Mental Health Specialist will provide mental health assessments and crisis intervention within scope of practice to clients in need of assistance. S/he will also address the individuals’ immediate needs and work to engage them in the housing navigation process. This position will enhance existing outreach services to provide clinical and mental health interventions appropriate to the client’s mental health needs.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, but are not limited to the following:
-Conducts outreach activities to engage chronically homeless individuals toward pursuing permanent housing options.
-Receives, assesses, and triages referrals from walk-ins and other collaborative partners.
-Conducts standardized screening and triages chronically homeless individuals.
-Assists individuals with collecting documents necessary for applying for permanent supportive housing.
-Attends case conferencing meetings to coordinate services with other providers.
-Provides mental health assessments, counseling, and interventions when indicated, using Recovery Model and Trauma-Informed Care, among other like philosophies as basis for interventions.
-Connects individuals to other supportive services as needed such as mental health, health, substance abuse, legal, employment, etc.
-Document services and complete data entry into HMIS database.
-Provide linkage to mainstream resources, such as DPSS or Social Security Disability.
-Provide transportation assistance for the purposes of stabilizing the current housing crisis.
-Conduct follow-up activities to ensure completion of the crisis housing plan
-Identify appropriate interventions to address and resolve the homeless status of program participants.
-Assists individuals with accessing permanent housing opportunities including permanent supportive housing, move-in assistance, shared housing, affordable housing, etc.
-Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
-Master’s Degree in MSW, MFT, MA or Psychology required.
-1 year of experience working with homeless individuals, preferably in an outreach/navigation capacity.
