Outmigration/Diversion Resource Specialist in Chicago, Illinois at Franciscan Outreach

FLSA: Salary Non Exempt

Organizational Summary
Franciscan Outreach is a leading provider of homeless services in Chicago. We operate as a system of support for those who are marginalized and experiencing homelessness. We empower people to gain the stability they need to transition into permanent housing. Grounded in the Franciscan tradition, we serve everyone regardless of their beliefs, and we do not conduct or require participation in religious services. We are committed to working together as an inclusive community that promotes equal treatment and opportunity for all. We strive to create a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.

Position Description

In our efforts to meet individuals where they are and to promote effective pathways out of homelessness, we utilize diversion and outmigration strategies:

Diversion: We work proactively with individuals at the earliest point of contact to identify immediate solutions that prevent entry into shelter or homelessness. This includes connecting clients to resources, benefits, and community supports that can address their needs without requiring shelter entry, thereby reducing the shelter system's load and promoting stability.
Outmigration: We support individuals in transitioning out of shelter and into permanent housing or alternative supportive arrangements. Our goal is to facilitate timely and sustainable moves to stable housing, reducing the likelihood of return to homelessness and promoting long-term stability.

The Resource Specialist is responsible for assisting homeless individuals with placement into shelter, diversion, outmigration pathways, and support for those seeking asylum. This role requires compassion and understanding of the diverse needs of the homeless population, including individuals hesitant to enter shelter, those pursuing alternative housing solutions, and individuals seeking asylum or legal protection. The Resource Specialist will support clients by providing resources, guidance, and connecting them to appropriate shelter, diversion options, or permanent housing solutions. They will also assist individuals seeking asylum by providing information, advocacy, and connecting them to legal and community resources.

We are committed to creating a caring, safe, and supportive community that embraces and uplifts everyone, especially our most vulnerable neighbors.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
• Engage with homeless individuals to meet their needs via outreach, intake, assessment, goal setting, referral, and follow-up
• Assist homeless individuals with understanding SPARC policies
• Provide support to help guests make informed decisions about shelter entry, diversion options, or outmigration pathways.
• Conduct an assessment to identify challenges, barriers, and specific needs, such as seeking asylum or legal support.
• Connect guests with resources including legal services, immigration assistance, housing programs, health services, and community supports.
• Support individuals seeking asylum by providing information, advocacy, and referrals to legal and immigration resources.
• Coordinate with shelters, community partners, and legal agencies as needed (including 311 and other services).
• Develop, monitor, and complete service plans and goals with guests, motivating and encouraging guests to complete service plans and achieve their goals
• Facilitate diversion efforts by working proactively to identify solutions that prevent shelter entry or facilitate timely outmigration into permanent housing.
• Support outmigration efforts by assisting guests in transitioning from the access point to permanent or supportive housing.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally sensitive services, especially for individuals seeking asylum or facing complex barriers
• Utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to support the movement toward housing stability, increased skills and income, improved health, and achievement of personal goals
• Maintain accurate documentation and data entry related to all services provided.
• Participate in group and/or individual supervision and staff meetings
• Participate in training and staff development opportunities
• Create a positive, welcoming, safe atmosphere for guests experiencing homelessness, particularly by providing trauma-informed services using a harm reduction philosophy
• Various relevant tasks, such as research on community resources and attending provider groups, accompanying guests to the shelter, and any other related duties as assigned
• 40-hour work week
• Other duties as assigned

Skills needed
• Strong empathy and cultural competence to effectively serve diverse populations, including individuals seeking asylum and those with complex barriers.
• Strong interest in and ability to work closely and respectfully with guests who have experienced homelessness and may be dealing with mental health symptoms, substance use disorders, trauma, physical disabilities, health conditions, etc.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of guests in crisis
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build trust and rapport with guests, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity and trauma-informed care when working with individuals experiencing crisis, trauma, or legal issues related to immigration.
• Knowledge of diversion and outmigration strategies and the capacity to implement these approaches effectively.
• Familiarity with immigration processes, asylum procedures, and legal resources is preferred.
• Ability to assess client needs comprehensively, including legal, housing, health, and social supports.
• Self-directed with the ability to work independently and manage caseloads efficiently.
• Strong organizational skills, including documentation and data management.
• Ability to work from a Harm Reduction perspective and provide Trauma-Informed Care
• Ability to utilize motivational interviewing and harm reduction strategies to facilitate client engagement and achievement of goals.
• Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries, including maintaining confidentiality
• Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures, ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and identified genders
• Able to work as a positive, supportive team member
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Able to gather information from a variety of sources
• Proficiency in using Windows-based applications, client databases (i.e.HMIS), and other technology tools.
• Ability to consistently maintain required documentation
• Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing client needs and organizational priorities.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including legal professionals, community agencies, and government partners.
• Ability to advocate effectively for clients’ needs and navigate complex systems on their behalf.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and organizational policies.

Skills and Abilities
• Self-directed and comfortable working independently, without constant direct supervision, and with a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with volunteers, staff, partner organizations, guests, etc.
• Ability to develop and maintain appropriate boundaries.

Other Responsibilities
• Ability to develop appropriate professional relationships with staff from a wide variety of races, religions, cultures, ages, educational backgrounds, sexual orientations, and identified genders.
• Able to gather information from a variety of sources.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and participating in professional organizations
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to cleaning of office space and common areas, sorting donations, additional reporting, data entry responsibilities, and facilitating special events
• Attendance at staff meetings as required
• Attendance at special events as directed by the supervisor
Qualifications
Education (High School Diploma or GED required, bachelor’s degree in social services or related field preferred)
Experience: Five plus years of experience working with people experiencing homelessness, mental health, and substance use disorders preferred
Additional Requirements:
• All staff are expected to abide by the policies of Franciscan Outreach, including, but not limited to, rules governing ethics, confidentiality, dual relationships, honesty, and integrity. All staff are
expected to always act in good faith and in keeping with the mission and values of Franciscan Outreach. Staff must have a commitment to serving the guests of Franciscan Outreach and to contributing to a positive, respectful, and accepting environment.
Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This description provides a summary of the major duties and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of the duties and responsibilities. The employee holding this position may be required to perform additional duties to meet the needs of the organization.

Decisions and criteria governing the employment relationship with all employees are made in a non-discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, military service and/or marital status, order of protection status, handicap, disability, or any other factor determined to be unlawful by federal, state, or local statutes