Alcohol & Drug Resource and Activity Specialist
with Outside In’s Day Program and Project Metamorphosis

Function

This position has two primary roles: 1) as a Resource and Activity Specialist engaging a homeless youth to access available resources through Outside In’s Day Program, and 2) as a Project Metamorphosis’ A & D Specialist providing services as part of a system of care to address the alcohol and drug needs of a diverse population of homeless youth. The A & D Resource and Activity Specialist, with supervision and support from the position supervisor and project coordinators, will work within the Day Program team and the Metamorphosis Treatment Team to develop the program and services in a manner that assists the Homeless Youth Continuum in fulfilling its mission of improving engagement and support of the diverse population of street youth considering or involved in drug and alcohol recovery.

Focus

The A&D Resource and Activity Specialist shall conduct his/herself in a professional manner and shall demonstrate cultural competency and understanding of street culture while blending a Recovery model with a harm reduction approach. S/he shall work directly with youth to promote their individual recovery, and shall work to establish a solid working relationship with the staff of the Metamorphosis Project partner agencies, including Janus Youth Programs, Outside In (OI), and New Avenues for Youth (NAFY). The A & D Resource and Activity Specialist shall also establish linkages with community agencies so as to facilitate service delivery, coordinate services for youth, and create visibility for the Metamorphosis project.

Specific Tasks:

Tasks are to be completed with little follow-up from the position Supervisor or project Coordinators. Support takes the form of teamwork and supervision. The A & D Resource and Activity Specialist shall:

• Work with program staff from Homeless Youth System Agencies (HYS), including Recovery Transition Advocates (RTA’s), to be visible in the community and amongst the youth who are accessing services.
  
  
• Establish a presence, begin building rapport with youth and provide information on the services, programs and groups available.
  
  
• Be present in youth programs and spaces to serve as a resource to youth.
  
  
• Engage youth in Day Program and Metamorphosis activities:
  • Educate youth about the Homeless Youth Service Continuum and Project Metamorphosis and how to access available services and resources.
  • Support youth in accessing basic needs resources including food, food boxes, hygiene supplies, ID, showers, locker storage, and mail.
  • Help youth to navigate HYS and Metamorphosis resources.
  • Support youth in engaging in program offerings.
  
  
• Support youth involvement in the Day Program and Metamorphosis:
  • Involve and empower youth participants in generating community and a sense of ownership within the Day Program.
  • Support youth generated activities and governance.
  • Attend community meetings within the Continuum and with other service providers including the following:
  • Metamorphosis Treatment Team Meetings;
  • Metamorphosis Retreats;
  • Metamorphosis Training’s, as needed;
  • HYS Assessment Meetings, as needed;
  • HYS Shelter/Service Coordination Meetings, as needed; and
  • Youth governance forums, as needed.
  
  
  
• Establish professional, collaborative, working relationships with Case Managers, Mental Health (including psychiatric) providers and other practitioners working with homeless youth.
  
  
• Work closely with staff conducting HYS screenings, the other Alcohol and Drug Specialists, and the Case Managers at NAFY or OI, to be sure that all youth are being screened and referred to A & D resources, as appropriate:
  • Based on the screening information, design and implement individualized services for youth.
  • Engage and/or refer youth in A&D Assessments, groups and other services as appropriate for each youth.
  
  
• Based on the screening information, work with the other A & D Specialists, the A & D Professional, Case Managers and Supervisor to develop curriculum for groups, which best meets youth where they are at and addresses needs:
  • Work with RTA’s to have youth provide input into activities, content of group materials, etc.;
  • Periodically review curriculum and make necessary adjustments so as to better engage youth.
  
  
• Work closely with Treatment Staff from DePaul or other providers to schedule and complete A & D Assessments and refer youth to the appropriate level of care for their stage of change and treatment needs.
  
  
• Work closely with Case Managers, the Meta Psychiatrist, and other Mental Health providers to schedule and complete MH Evaluations and refer youth to the appropriate level of care for their treatment needs.
  
  
• Work with available resources to establish a schedule of regular recreational activities both on-site and off-site which are designed to enhance positive connections between youth, offer clean and sober leisure time, and engage youth with service providers in a manner which is not threatening or “too clinical”:
  • Co-facilitate and/or utilize RTA support, as appropriate.
  
  
• Facilitate groups for identified youth that are designed to meet youth where they are at in terms of treatment readiness:
  • Promote healthy decision-making and provide information and support to youth so that they may make an informed decision about whether or not they want to change their lifestyle;
  • Work closely with other program staff and Case Managers so that communication is seamless and co-facilitation can provide learning opportunities for different staff.
  
  
• Provide crisis counseling support as needed:
  • Share information about interventions with the youth’s Case Manager when appropriate.
  • Participate in case planning to manage future crises when possible.
  • Utilize harm reduction philosophy in problem solving to help youth identify healthier options.
  • Coordinate with QMHPs at Outside In, the Alcohol and Drug Specialist at Outside In, Project Respond, Crisis Triage and other services as needed.
  
  
• Be available and schedule individual counseling times with youth to promote well-being and positive change in lifestyle:
  • Include Case Managers and RTA’s in appointments, as deemed appropriate;
  • Work closely with Case Managers to insure that goals are identified by the youth and that the youth is getting the support he/she needs to meet with success;
  • Receive support from your supervisor and the A & D Professional to maximize counseling skills around A & D and mental health, so as to improve youth engagement.
  
  
• Provide referral and support services, in collaboration with the Case Managers for youth who could benefit from accessing more specific services (i.e. Outpatient, Residential Treatment):
  • Attend regular team meetings with the Case Managers where case presentations are made;
  • Facilitate linkages with other support networks that are individually tailored to youth (i.e. Recovery Community Support Groups, AA/NA, GLBT support groups at SMYRC, spiritual support, etc.);
  • Along with the RTA’s, assist youth in accessing services and getting to appointments and support groups.
  
  
• Work closely with Treatment Providers to establish a Plan for Success and to develop a specific post treatment plan:
  • Provide necessary support to youth who have completed Outpatient or Residential Treatment and are returning to the Continuum for housing resources;
  • Work with RTA’s to connect youth with other clean and sober youth and assist youth in providing support to one another.
  
  
• Support program operations in the Day Program:
  • Assist in maintaining the Day Program space in a clean and organized condition.
  • Report needed maintenance to Support Services in a timely fashion.
  • Involve youth in maintaining the space as much as possible.
  • Assist in organizing needed program supplies, including donations.
  
  
• Seek and receive individual and group supervision, as appropriate:
  • Meet regularly with Supervisor from OI,
  • Attend team meetings at OI;
  • Participate in Clinical Team Meetings as appropriate with DePaul;
  • Attend appropriate training for professional development.
  
  
• Along with the A & D Professional and the other A & D Specialists, provide appropriate training and information on A & D issues to program staff at NAFY, OI, and Janus Willamette Bridge Programs.
  
  
• Maintain client records for each youth participating in A & D groups, and/or individual counseling:
  • Document Day Program services in Day Program Database;
  • Document A&D services provided, including type of service, duration, and all individuals involved;
  • Maintain documentation of group and recreation activities, as well as records of case presentation, referrals, etc.;
  • Ensure that all necessary Releases of Information forms are in the client record and make records available to other staff, as appropriate under Federal Confidentiality Laws;
  • Complete any other necessary program documentation for evaluation purposes, as directed by supervisor or the A & D Professional.

• Meet regularly with supervisor.
• Support agency goals.
• Be able to work with a diverse population.
• Be able to work both independently and as a member of a team.
• Commitment to continual learning and quality performance.
• Perform all required documentation and information input in a professional, thorough, and timely manner.
• Work assigned work schedule.
• Carry out job duties according to the time schedule established with supervisor.
• Maintain professional boundaries and performance at all times.
• Complete all job duties assigned.
• Support the operational functioning of the Youth Department as a whole.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS / SUPERVISION & SUPPORT

The A & D Resource and Activity Specialist reports to the Alcohol and Drug Specialist at Outside In. S/he will also receive direction from the Day Program Coordinator. This position works interdependently as a member of OI ‘s Day Program and Case Management Service Teams and works collaboratively as a member of the Metamorphosis Treatment Team.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

In order to continue to develop professional competencies the A & D Specialist shall:

• Obtain or maintain credentials for certification as a CADC I.
• Develop a Professional Development Plan with supervisor and update annually.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

• Productivity / Quality: The extent to which specific tasks are completed in a timely manner with few or no errors.
• Initiative: The extent to which the A & D Resource and Activity Specialist knows when to ask for help, prioritizes and efficiently and effectively performs duties
• Integrity: The extent to which the A & D Resource and Activity Specialist performs their job in a professional manner, demonstrating ethical behaviors and adhering to federal/state laws and agency policies and procedures.
• Reliability: The extent to which the A & D Resource and Activity Specialist accomplishes tasks with little or no follow up from their supervisor.

Top of page

About Us | News/Events | Services | Donate
Volunteer | Contact Us | Employment | Home