Outreach Support Worker

**Position Summary**

The Outreach Support Worker is a key member of the Regina Street Team (RST), responsible for directly engaging individuals facing significant challenges, including homelessness, mental health concerns, substance use, and other vulnerabilities. This role involves proactive outreach, responding to service requests, conducting needs assessments, providing immediate support, and facilitating access to essential services. Outreach Support Workers act as a vital link between community members, service providers, and internal RST resources, working to improve the well-being, safety, and long-term stability of vulnerable populations in Regina.

Engagement occurs through both proactive outreach—patrolling high-need areas identified through team knowledge, police tips, and community reports—and reactive service requests, where workers respond to calls for immediate assistance. Outreach Support Workers must be prepared to encounter complex, high-risk situations, including medical emergencies, encampments, and individuals in crisis. They are trained in advanced first aid, basic life support, and crisis intervention techniques to provide frontline care, administer naloxone, perform CPR, and safely de-escalate volatile situations when possible. Safety remains paramount; workers are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) and are trained to assess whether intervention is appropriate or if emergency services (e.g., 911) should be engaged.

RST provides comprehensive internal and external training to ensure Outreach Support Workers are equipped to navigate the diverse challenges of the role while adhering to strict safety protocols and de-escalation strategies.

**Responsibilities**

**Client Engagement and Support**
- Proactive and Responsive Outreach: Conduct daily foot and vehicle patrols in designated areas of Regina, engaging with individuals in need through proactive contact and response to service requests.
- Needs Assessment: Perform basic, on-the-spot assessments of individuals to determine immediate needs, medical status, and required interventions. Prioritize addressing urgent issues (e.g., medical distress, unsafe conditions) before exploring long-term solutions.
- Immediate Assistance: Provide basic first aid, administer naloxone when necessary, and address minor medical concerns. Call emergency services when situations exceed the worker’s scope of practice.
- Resource Distribution: Distribute essential items (e.g., food, hygiene supplies, harm reduction materials) and educate individuals on their use.
- Ongoing Support and Advocacy: Develop and maintain individualized Service Navigation Plans. Assist clients in attending appointments, paying bills, and accessing wrap-around support. Maintain ongoing contact to monitor progress and provide aftercare once housing or services are secured.
- Relationship Building: Foster long-term, trusting relationships with community members to enhance client engagement and improve outcomes.

**Collaboration and Community Engagement**
- Teamwork: Work closely with other RST members, including Peer Support Workers and Clinical Support Workers, to ensure coordinated care.
- Community Partnerships: Collaborate with community agencies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and government ministries to facilitate comprehensive support for clients.
- Public Engagement: Educate the public and local businesses on topics such as harm reduction, mental health awareness, and community safety strategies. Attend community meetings, business events, and educational sessions with local schools and universities.
- Encampment Outreach: Respond to information about encampments, assess the well-being of occupants, and connect them to appropriate resources.

**Administrative and Documentation Responsibilities**
- Documentation: Maintain accurate and detailed records of client interactions, assessments, interventions, and referrals in compliance with organizational protocols.
- Service Tracking: Monitor client progress through data collection and maintain appointment schedules to ensure consistent follow-up.
- Reporting: Submit timely reports to supervisors regarding outreach activities, safety concerns, and client outcomes.

**Qualifications**
- Experience working with marginalized populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, substance use challenges, and mental health concerns.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport with diverse individuals in high-stress environments.
- Compassion, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach.
- Knowledge of community resources and service navigation.
- Effective communication skills (verbal and written) with proficiency in documentation.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Required Certifications: Current First Aid, CPR, and naloxone administration training (provided if not current). Advanced first aid and basi