Clinical Navigator; HEART

Overview

Led by the Douglas County Homeless Initiative and supported by the Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Community Services and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the Navigator will support and implement the mission of the Homeless Engagement, Assistance and Resource Team (HEART). The HEART is a co-responder team that pairs a civilian Navigator with a Sheriff’s Deputy to respond to community calls regarding homelessness.

The incumbent will be providing direct engagement, assessment, and support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and/or behavioral health crises throughout Douglas County. As a part of this co-response team, the Navigator will be responsible to provide case management, crisis intervention, and clinical assessments to connect individuals with stabilization resources, treatment services, and long-term housing solutions.

• Support the Director of Community Services and Assistant Director of Community Services in administering assigned projects.
• Support and maintain a positive image of the HEART and its mission with the public, community-based partners and within the team.
• Work in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff Office, through a co-response model, to respond to community calls regarding homeless and provide support and resources to people experiencing homelessness.
• Work strategically with local municipalities, law enforcement and the Community Response Team to provide a collaborative response to requests regarding those experiencing homelessness.
• Partner with the regional homeless system of care to support region wide goals to make homelessness rare, brief and infrequent.
• Respond to inquiries from, and work with, individuals experiencing homelessness to create goals and a plan of action to exit homelessness, as well as facilitate and support them in their efforts to obtain resources and services.
• Conduct clinical assessments and psychosocial evaluations using evidence-based tools to identify behavioral health and social service needs.
• Develop and implement client-centered crisis intervention and safety plans to reduce imminent risk and improve functioning.
• Provide short-term counseling, de-escalation, and emotional support to individuals in crisis, their families, and caregivers.
• Coordinate immediate placement and follow-up services with community providers using the strength-based, Wrap-Around philosophy.
• Function as part of an interdisciplinary team as well as develop and maintain effective relationships with other community professionals.
• Document all assessments completed, interactions with individuals and families, and any other pertinent information required.
• Regularly meet with assigned clinical supervisor.
• Visit camps, parked cars, and other sites where people experiencing homelessness congregate and rest to distribute information on community-based programs and services.
• Assess situational safety and request appropriate support or provide basic first aid, including but not limited to, CPR or NARCAN.
• Conduct meetings with landlords and other professionals to facilitate and make available resources and services, including housing, education, mental health, employment, etc.
• Provide impartial and non-biased consultation, advocacy, and review of an individual s or family’s needs in support of successfully becoming housed.
• Compile and present data to internal and external stakeholders.
• Transport clients to obtain resources and services, as appropriate.
• Maintain a list of resources, services, and eligibility requirements for services available to individuals and families.
• Gather qualitative and quantitative data from individuals and families regarding services needed and provided.
• Work with the local navigation team and other regional boards, committees, and groups to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Douglas County Homeless Initiative, including participating and serving on subcommittees as assigned.
• Effectively and objectively communicate program issues and opportunities to County leadership.
• Collaborate with other sections, divisions, and departments to ensure consistency in carrying out programs and goals of the County.
• Pro…