Description of REACH

The REACH Program of Evergreen Treatment Services works with individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions to help them achieve stability and improved quality of life. Through outreach, relationships, advocacy and bridging gaps, REACH focuses on reducing harm and supporting healing. REACH provides outreach-based care coordination, multidisciplinary clinical services, and support to access and maintain housing. All services are based in principles of harm reduction that offer respect and dignity to individuals moving through stages of change in their lives.

REACH incorporates a racial equity lens that includes naming the impact and actively dismantling systems of oppression rooted in White Supremacy, while addressing the root causes perpetuating historical trauma and immense suffering in individuals’ lives. We are committed to building a robust behavioral health response that diverts people away from jail by rebuilding community and providing services to ensure those presently marginalized aren’t just surviving, but able to thrive.

REACH offers an array of services ranging from survival support provided where folks are living outside to linkages to essential resources such as housing, assistance to resolve legal issues, health care, entitlements and easily accessible treatment for substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

The REACH Team is passionate about creating a hospitable and welcoming environment for all people while providing quality services on an individually tailored basis to our clientele. REACH values diversity of lived experience, is committed to racial equity and social justice, and appreciates hard work, creativity and a good sense of humor. People who have experienced incarceration are encouraged to apply.

3rd Avenue Public Safety Project

The 3rd Avenue Public Safety Project is working in collaboration with the following partners to address criminal activity & concerning behavior related to mental illness and drug activity on 3rd Avenue: Public Defenders Association (PDA), We Deliver Care (WDC), Regional Homeless Authority (RHA), Downtown Emergency Services Center (DESC), Downtown Seattle Association (DSA), & City of Seattle Partners. The problematic ranges in type and cause. Some is subsistence crime, due to a high density of unhoused people with unmet needs. Other crime and challenging behaviors are related to unaddressed behavioral health issues. For example, the impetus for this project came from a local restaurant’s report of a mentally ill man entering the business, attempting to damage property, and being aggressive towards guests and employees. Finally, there is a significant amount of higher-level organized crime, including drug dealing and retail theft that goes above the subsistence level, as well as apparent gang involvement. The goal of this project is to focus on both an immediate impact in reducing problem behavior in these few blocks, and also, make connections to individuals that may lead to deeper change in life circumstances over a longer period of time, regardless of where they are located/doing business.

Job Summary

The Downtown/3rd Avenue Systems Outreach Coordinator follow all referrals made by WDC & engage in proactive engagement with people in the area living unsheltered and using drugs to make clinically appropriate referrals for additional care. In addition to making assessments and subsequent referrals to other supports, including lawful income sources. REACH/LEAD case management will work with individuals towards behavior change using wrap around comprehensive care coordination and a variety of strategies, including but not limited to accessing legal income, addressing medical needs, addressing court obligations, obtaining identification and documents, substance use disorder treatment, mental health care, housing, and job training and placement. The intake process will also determine whether referred individuals are more appropriate for other REACH programs, in which case they will be placed in other programs. This position will require daily data entry, high-level systems coordination, and the ability to partner with professionals in the field who have been directly impacted by the criminal punishment system, have experienced homelessness and/or substance use. The Systems Outreach Coordinator will work with the city and service partners to create a coordinated street outreach strategy in order to demonstrate an effective, trauma-informed response to people living unsheltered.

REACH Outreach Services

REACH Outreach services are provided across Seattle and King County with specific workers focusing their outreach efforts in designated areas and neighborhoods. The consistent presence of specific workers assists with the development of trust with communities and people living outside in these areas. Some workers also have collaborative partnerships with neighborhood BIA’s (Business Improvement Areas) and develop relationships with community stakeholders including local businesses and residents. REACH has Screening and Outreach Coordinators who are part of the LEAD Program. There are REACH outreach positions that focus on system coordination and bringing resources to individuals living at high impact sites. The Outreach Team focuses on engaging clients where they are with low barrier services, maintaining connection to case management through consistent outreach, and establishing partnerships with other providers and organizations.

REACH Outreach Care Coordinators conduct assessments and provide referrals to services such as case management, housing placement, substance use treatment and mental health care, and medical care. REACH services are person-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and respectfully provided from a harm reduction perspective.

All new hire employees, starting after August 16th, 2021 are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination as determined by the CDC. New hire employees not in compliance with this policy will not be able to start until vaccination is determined by the human resources department. Additionally, Evergreen Treatment Services will be following the state mandate for all staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19.

Perks and Benefits

• 12 Paid Holidays Off
• Accrue 24 Sick Days
• Medical and Dental and Vision Benefits
• 403(b)-Retirement Investment Plan with company matching
• Two weeks paid vacation in the first year
• Accrue 12 Mental Health Days
• Roth IRA Works
• Better Help- Employee Assistance Program- First Choice Health - Free short term counseling and referrals
• Flexible Spending Account - Medical Cost, Day Care, Day Camps, School Programs, Pre-School Tuition
• 20% off Woodland Park Zoo Discounts
• Verizon 22% Off Monthly Discount and 25% Off Accessories
• National Corporate Discounts
• $400 License Renewal Reimbursement
• 100% DEA License Reimbursement
• 1 x Monthly Massage Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Transportation Assistance
• Basic Life and Accident Insurance, fully paid by ETS

Job Functions (May Include):

• Organize Outreach Providers to provide trauma-informed outreach, assessment and linkage to appropriate care for unsheltered individuals
• Participate in case conferencing meetings for outreach and other homeless service providers to discuss clients with high barriers
• Participate in Just Care meetings to respond to help create an effective system response. Communicate about the unmet needs of unsheltered community to Just Care policy stakeholders
• Serve as a liaison to Downtown business interests when necessary to communicate model and problem solve around the needs of unsheltered community
• Coordinate individual referrals from outreach to Just Care motel resources when necessary
• Attend weekly HOPE Meetings, coordinate with the HOPE team for City shelter referrals and other shelter providers, collect referrals from regional outreach providers and enter referrals as needed.
• Provide direct outreach and linkage to care for unserved homeless individuals within Downtown Seattle
• Coordinate directly with REACH Outreach and LEAD Screening Outreach to build response and not duplicate efforts, including initiatives such as Pop-Up Tents in Downtown.
• Outreach and engage community partners, businesses, organizations to foster connection and collaboration to advocate for client needs
• Connect with government and community entities to bring a coordinated system response, which may include
• Public health assessments and care
• Hygiene and sanitation services
• Waste removal
• Law enforcement coordination
• Benefits Assistance
• Other systemic services
• Work with Housing Resource Coordinator to ensure outreach workers can provide CEA and other assessments, and ensure assessments are entered into HMIS, Agency, and other relevant databases
• Provide data and reports per contract requirements
• Participate in all REACH Outreach and other staff activities as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required. Additional education preferred.
• Lived experience may substitute for some educational requirements if relevant project management and/or effective team building experience is demonstrated.

Experience

• Four years minimum experience providing outreach to people who use drugs and are living unsheltered.
• Demonstrated understanding of addiction and harm reduction practices required.
• Experience providing case management services to individuals experiencing homelessness and behavioral health conditions preferred.

Knowledge Requirements

• Computer literate, with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, as well as a high level of initiative in keeping current with technological change
• Ability to prioritize workload and daily activities and complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
• Ability to set boundaries, resolve conflict and de-escalate issues
• Dependable, able to work under pressure; receptive to change, willingness to learn, cooperative approach to problem-solving
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, participants, and outside contacts from a wide variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, good diplomatic skills.
• Must be able to pass a Washington State Patrol criminal background check
• A Washington State Patrol criminal background check will be conducted as a condition of hire and candidates with prior criminal convictions will be invited to provide additional context as needed.
• Flexible team player
• Excellent attention to detail

Language Skills:

• Ability to read and interpret general business correspondence, policies and procedures, referral information, financial documentation and applicable government regulations.
• Ability to write case file notes, uncomplicated reports, instructions and procedures.
• Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from participants, staff, collaborative partners and the general public.

Mathematical Skills and Reasoning Ability:

• Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply business arithmetic skills accurately and rapidly.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where standardization may be limited. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, schedule or diagram format.
• Basic math skills

Physical Requirements

• The employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear; frequently required to stand, walk and kneel; occasionally to climb balance, or stoop; rarely to crouch or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.
• Valid Driver’s License and acceptable driving record required
• Proof of COVID vaccination

Equipment used

• Computer, photocopier, fax machine, cell phone, and possible use of the program vehicle.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Full-time Salaried

$74,000