Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as an essential member of the JCOD Care Management team and supports justice-involved individuals transitioning from incarceration into stable community living. Through a housing-first, trauma-informed, and person-centered approach, the CHW engages participants in supportive services that promote health, housing stability, successful reentry, community integration, and long-term self-sufficiency.

The CHW functions as a trusted liaison between participants, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, housing resources, benefits systems, and community-based organizations. This position provides direct participant engagement, care coordination support, health promotion, advocacy, resource linkage, and field-based case management activities aligned with SCHARP’s supportive services model and departmental performance standards. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

Participant Engagement & Reentry Support 

• Conduct outreach, engagement, and participant enrollment activities for individuals returning to the community following incarceration.
• Establish therapeutic and professional helping relationships that promote trust, participant empowerment, and sustained engagement.
• Complete intake activities and assist participants with understanding program expectations and available supportive services.
• Support participant transition planning and continuity of care following release.

Care Management & Service Coordination 

• Collaborate with Care Managers and interdisciplinary teams to implement individualized care plans and participant-driven goals.
• Support participant navigation across healthcare, behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and public benefits systems.
• Coordinate referrals and follow-up for medical, mental health, substance use treatment, and specialty services.
• Monitor participant progress and identify barriers to engagement, service access, and retention.

Health Promotion & Wellness Support 

• Provide health education and coaching that supports participants’ ability to manage health conditions and make informed lifestyle decisions.
• Promote preventive healthcare utilization including primary care appointments, medication adherence, and wellness practices.
• Utilize motivational interviewing and strengths-based engagement strategies to support participant self-management and behavior change.
• Support participants in addressing social determinants of health impacting stability and well-being.

Housing Stability & Community Reintegration 

• Assist participants in securing and maintaining stable housing placements.
• Conduct home visits and community-based visits to assess participant adjustment, environmental concerns, and supportive service needs.
• Support life skills development including budgeting, transportation planning, appointment management, and independent living skills.
• Collaborate with housing and property management partners to address barriers impacting tenancy success.

Documentation, Compliance & Quality Assurance 

• Maintain timely, accurate, and complete participant documentation in agency-designated systems.
• Complete case notes, participant contacts, care coordination activities, and required program documentation within established timelines.
• Participate in chart audits, quality assurance reviews, and program reporting requirements.
• Maintain compliance with confidentiality standards, HIPAA requirements, and agency policies.

Team Collaboration & Program Participation 

• Participate in case conferencing, interdisciplinary team meetings, supervision, and training activities.
• Collaborate with internal departments and external community partners to strengthen participant outcomes.
• Contribute to program performance goals related to participant engagement, retention, housing stability, and service utilization.
• Support departmental initiatives and continuous quality improvement efforts.

Qualifications 

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or related field preferred.
• Community Health Worker certification preferred (or ability to obtain within required timeframe).
• Minimum one (1) year of experience working with reentry populations, homelessness services, supportive housing, healthcare navigation, behavioral health, or community-based services preferred.
• Experience conducting field-based outreach and participant engagement strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, Housing First principles, motivational interviewing, and care coordination practices preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong participant engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work effectively with justice-involved and high-acuity populations.
• Understanding of community resources, public benefits systems, and care navigation practices.
• Effective documentation, organization, and time management skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries while providing compassionate support.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.