Community Outreach Specialist

The Community Outreach Specialist is a vital connection between vulnerable community members and Akido’s comprehensive healthcare services, making a direct impact by engaging individuals experiencing homelessness or substance use disorders. This role involves direct engagement with unhoused individuals or individuals with SUD, providing essential supplies, building trust, and facilitating their enrollment into our Medical and Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program.

Core Responsibilities

• Outreach & Engagement 
  • Prepare and organize outreach materials, including harm reduction kits, lunches, and syringe exchange supplies.
  • Conduct regular outreach visits to known encampments, Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) sites, and resource fairs, acknowledging the transient nature of these populations.
  • Distribute supplies and engage with individuals to build rapport and trust.
  • Introduce the Akido’s Medical and ECM program to individuals, aiming to understand their needs and educating them on how the program can benefit them.
  • Assist all individuals (regardless of enrollment status) with Medi-Cal enrollment and referrals to healthcare providers, food resources, and other essential services.
• Administrative Support 
  • Document outreach activities, interactions, and referrals in the Akido’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) system promptly.
  • Collaborate with Community Health Workers and healthcare providers to ensure seamless care coordination.
  • Maintain inventory of outreach supplies and coordinate restocking as needed.
  • Participate in team meetings and contribute to the continuous improvement of outreach strategies.

Qualifications

• Required: 
  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Valid California Driver's License with a clean driving record. Willing to drive personal vehicle to outreach (mileage reimbursement will be provided)
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust with diverse populations.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  • Proficiency in basic computer applications and data entry.
• Preferred:
  • Experience in community outreach, especially with unhoused populations.
  • Familiarity with Medi-Cal enrollment processes and ECM programs.
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Working Conditions: This role involves approximately 70% field-based outreach and 30% administrative duties in an office setting. The specialist must be comfortable working in various environments, including outdoor settings and encampments, and be able to transport outreach supplies