Mental Health Outreach Coordinator - Evenings

About the position

The Mental Health Outreach Coordinator at Covenant House Texas is responsible for developing and implementing outreach initiatives aimed at engaging homeless and at-risk youth in mental health services. This role emphasizes trauma-informed care, ensuring that youth experiencing homelessness receive compassionate and effective mental health support. The Coordinator collaborates with community organizations and mental health providers to connect youth with appropriate resources, promoting their emotional and psychological well-being.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a comprehensive outreach strategy to connect homeless youth to mental health services.
• Develop and execute community outreach events to raise awareness about mental health issues among homeless youth.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, schools, and healthcare providers to facilitate access to mental health care.
• Ensure outreach efforts are grounded in trauma-informed practices, respecting the dignity and needs of youth.
• Train shelter staff and volunteers in trauma-sensitive engagement with youth.
• Provide educational materials about mental health and coping strategies to youth and their families.
• Act as a resource for shelter staff and youth in navigating mental health services.
• Engage youth in conversations to assess mental health needs and provide referrals to resources.
• Coordinate with mental health providers to ensure consistent care for youth.
• Provide crisis intervention and stabilization support to youth in mental health distress.
• Track and monitor the progress of youth engaged in mental health services, ensuring follow-up support is provided.
• Advocate for the mental health needs of homeless youth in the community and reduce stigma around mental health services.
• Collect and maintain data on outreach efforts and prepare reports on mental health engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field required.
• 2-3 years of experience in mental health, social services, or youth outreach settings, preferably with homeless or at-risk youth.
• Experience in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, or case management is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of community mental health resources and experience working with community partners.
• Current (valid) license and successful pass of federal, local and state background check required.

Nice-to-haves

• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and its application in working with vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of adolescent mental health interventions and suicide prevention strategies.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and needs of homeless youth.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Professional development opportunities