Outreach Worker

at Bridgeville Senior Citizens Center Inc in Bridgeville, Delaware, United States

Job Description

The primary focus of this position is to assess and reassess eligibility for homebound meals according to CHEER criteria and to conduct active outreach to identify isolated, withdrawn elderly individuals in need of services. The Outreach Worker is the Center's primary representative to homebound recipients and is responsible for presenting the Center in a positive light.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Receive referrals from the Center staff and other agencies for clients in need of service. Conduct a preliminary telephone interview with the referral agent and the client and schedule a telephone call three (3) working days after the referral.
2. Conduct an over-the-phone assessment for eligibility to receive homebound meals, based on CHEER criteria.
3. Assess any condition that needs such as social, financial, general support, medical, or nutritional, and channel those needs by means of referrals to appropriate services. Follow up on referrals.
4. Homebound reassessments are completed over the phone every six months.
5. Encourage those clients not eligible, when practical, to participate in the congregate program by attending the Center.
6. Conduct Nutritional Screening, semi-annual, within the first quarter of CHEER's Fiscal year (Oct., Nov., and Dec.) on all clients, or on an as-needed basis.
7. Conducts donation pledging during assessment and/or reassessment. Track client donations in respect to pledges.
8. Communicate any changes in diet or client active/inactive status to the Executive Director and Food Service Manager, as appropriate.
9. Attend Outreach Council meetings and training sessions as required.
10. Maintain accurate, up-to-date records on all clients' contacts, changes in status, and/or referrals made.
11. Maintain current listings of agencies, services, organizations, and medical services available in order to make appropriate referrals.
12. Conduct active outreach to locate clients in need of services by making appearances, contacts through monthly Newsletters, flyers, or letters, through telephone calls, or other methods. Responsible for increasing the number of clients served and services provided.
13. Accurately completes and submits required statistical and evaluation programs and activity reports for all participants relative to assigned Outreach duties in accordance with the timeline established by the Executive Director and the CHEER Nutrition Program Director.
14. Keep the Executive Director and the Board of Directors informed of the entire Center’s outreach operational activities and programs through monthly summary reports and open verbal communication.
15. Responsible for the timely delivery of homebound meals on a daily basis to eligible participants.
16. Responsible for maintaining the assigned Center vehicle, including, but not limited to, (1) accurate mileage sheets, (2) maintaining a safe driving record, (3) cleaning inside and outside of the Center vehicle on an as-needed basis, (4) notifying the Executive Director immediately of any maintenance issues by completing the maintenance sheet and,(5) refueling vehicle as needed, utilizing the Centers gasoline credit card.
17. Contributes to team effort by performing other duties, as assigned or required by the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors

This role's primary contacts are with Center staff, homebound clients, clients' family members, and service providers.