In Reach and Engagement Specialist (Hybrid, North Carolina Based)

About the role

The In Reach and Engagement Specialist provides an essential function of the Transition to Community Living (TCL) program by supporting members with information about, and assistance with, accessing services and community resources to improve the individual’s health outcomes and aid in successful community living. This position also supports MCO efforts through activities with various public and private agencies, developing processes and agreements to address critical community needs of individuals participating in TCL, and fostering relationships and partnerships to aid in the identification and referral of individuals that meet special needs or high-risk criteria.

This is a full-time hybrid opportunity. The selected candidate must be available to report onsite to the Alliance Office (Morrisville, North Carolina) for business meetings and travel throughout Granville County to serve Alliance members as needed.

Responsibilities

• Complete Assessments
  • Assess an individual’s interest in community inclusion, educating about transitions to community living and other housing options, and services that may be available to them including employment opportunities (IPS-SE), supported housing, and housing preferences.
  • Resolve disparities identified and document resolution of needs for members living in institutionalized settings.
• Engage and Educate Members
  • Apply working knowledge of recovery principles to cultivate belief, hope, and understanding for members who may not believe they can live outside of an institution.
  • Utilize working knowledge of employment and education opportunities to maximize quality of life.
  • Build trust and establish rapport using person-centered dialog to effectively communicate with individuals.
  • Provide face-to-face and field/community-based support to each member as needed.
  • Educate individuals about services covered under the NC Plan for Medical Assistance, Medicaid 1915 b/c waiver, or the State-funded service array.
  • Educate members and families about provider choice, person-centered planning, cultural competence, and available local resources.
  • Explain the benefits and financial aspects of Supported Housing and other community-based integrated settings.
  • Explore and address concerns of individuals who decline or are ambivalent about moving to supported housing despite eligibility.
  • Ensure members receive information and education about choice of services, supports, housing, and community-based resources, including advantages and disadvantages.
• Connect Members to Services and Housing Supports
  • Provide linkage to ongoing peer support services in the Alliance benefit plan.
  • Assist families in linking and advocating for appropriate services.
  • Facilitate and accompany individuals on site visits to permanent housing.
  • Provide education and training on tenancy rights.
  • Identify, problem-solve, and address support needs for members with housing insecurity.
  • Follow members throughout the transition and community living process as needed.
  • Support members to complete housing applications.
• Collaborate with the Alliance Care Team, Community Health and Well-Being, and Alliance Departments
  • Attend all required meetings related to care planning and provider engagement.
  • Notify Care Manager of any new service needs identified during service monitoring.
  • Work with Community Health and Well-Being to maximize member experience and build social capital in the member’s community of choice.
  • Develop in-depth knowledge of various community systems and provide consultation and technical assistance to Alliance clinical departments regarding available resources.
• Engage with Providers and External Stakeholders
  • Collaborate and consult with local stakeholders to enhance and expand available resources.
  • Build partnerships with public and private mental health agencies, DSS, DJJ, and community partners to develop programs and resources that increase family involvement in care delivery.
  • Represent Alliance in System of Care activities to ensure an integrated approach for child and adult service systems.
  • Educate and provide technical assistance to agencies and partners regarding local services, methods for accessing services, the provider network, mental health reform, and System of Care.
• Caseload Maintenance
  • Maintain accurate caseloads and tracking tools to ensure correspondence is mailed to identified individuals within necessary timeframes.
• Maintain Documentation
  • Maintain medical record compliance and quality.
  • Ensure timely documentation of in-reach activities as required by department policy and procedures.
• Compliance
  • Comply with state, organizational, and departmental policies, procedures, processes, and workflows.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Required: High school diploma or GED and a minimum of two years of experience working with individuals with behavioral health needs, as well as at least two years lived experience navigating any of the Mental Health, Public Health, Social Service, and/or Justice systems. Other relevant experience may be considered, including areas of recovery focus.
• Preferred: QP status; bachelor’s degree in human services or a related field; master’s degree in a human service-related field.
• Preferred completion of training and/or documented knowledge of: WRAP; Person-Centered Thinking; WHAM (Whole Health Action Management); Trauma-Informed Care; MH First Aid; IPS-SE; Community Inclusion/Integration; Harm Reduction; Recovery Model.

Skills

• Knowledge of Medicaid basic, enhanced MHSUD, and waiver benefits plans.
• Knowledge of community-specific financial planning resources.
• Knowledge of regulations and statutes specific to 1915(b) and (c) waiver services, including licensure type required for facility-based services, and staffing and supervision requirements (LTS and TBI Care Workers only).
• Knowledge of and skilled in the use of Motivational Interviewing techniques.
• Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills.
• Conflict management and resolution skills.
• High level of diplomacy and discretion to effectively negotiate and resolve issues with minimal assistance.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation, arbitration, and conflict resolution skills to balance the needs of both internal and external customers.
• Ability to understand macro and micro-level planning, maintaining both the big picture and attention to detail.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to organize multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to change the focus of activities to meet changing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability.

Employment for this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background and MVR (Motor Vehicle Registration) check, performed after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to the employee's start date.

Pay

Pay Range: $23.36–$30.36. Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data, and consideration of internal equity.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-Term Disability insurance.
• Generous retirement savings plan.
• Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, and management leave.
• Dress flexibility.