Community Outreach Specialist

CLEAR (Community and Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery) is a grant-funded initiative of the Federal COSSUP Program (Comprehensive Opioid and Stimulant Use Program). Liberation Programs operates the Fairfield County arm of the Statewide CLEAR Initiative, serving vulnerable adults and their families struggling with substance use and identified by law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals, and other community partners in Norwalk, Bridgeport, Greenwich, and Stamford.

Contracted by DMHAS to deliver the CLEAR Project, Liberation Programs works across jurisdictions to connect those most at risk of overdose with appropriate supports and services.

The Family Outreach Specialist provides dedicated, trauma-informed support and case management to family members of individuals at risk of or recovering from overdose. The position offers family engagement, grief and crisis support, and care coordination using a harm reduction and culturally responsive lens. The Specialist supports family members by facilitating access to treatment, education, housing, and other wraparound resources and collaborates with school systems to implement trauma-informed strategies for youth affected by parental or caregiver substance use.

This role works closely with Outreach Specialists, the CLEAR Social Worker, and the Hospital Liaison/Systems Integration Manager to ensure that family voices and needs are centered in the overall care plan.

The position is grant-funded and limited to the term of the award.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide case management, grief support, and trauma-informed care to family members of individuals identified through CLEAR.
• Engage families through non-judgmental communication using motivational interviewing techniques.
• Accompany Outreach Specialists during coordinated Overdose Response Follow-Up Visits.
• Coordinate and participate in community outreach and events that provide education, recovery resources, harm reduction supplies, and overdose prevention tools.
• Partner with schools through the Handle with Care initiative to ensure trauma-informed responses are implemented for children impacted by substance use at home.
• Support families in accessing education-related services (e.g., attending IEP meetings), children's health care, and developmental services.
• Document consistently in Cordata and maintain shared care planning across the CLEAR team.
• Assist families in navigating services including detox/treatment, housing, primary and mental health care, benefits enrollment, and legal support.
• Provide direct support such as transportation assistance, appointment coordination, and referrals to sober support, education, and employment programs.
• Maintain strong communication with the CLEAR Site Lead and Social Worker to ensure seamless service integration.
• Monitor incoming referrals via Cordata and respond promptly to new family support cases.
• Participate in training, data entry, and reporting activities as required by DPH and DMHAS.
• Maintain professional boundaries and adhere to harm reduction values and cultural humility.

Skills / Experience Required

• At least one year of experience working with individuals impacted by substance use disorder (SUD) or Serious Mental Illness (SMI), or equivalent lived experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to harm reduction principles and trauma-informed care.
• Excellent communication and motivational interview skills.
• Strong knowledge of community resources and recovery-oriented systems of care.
• Cultural responsiveness, with the ability to work respectfully with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds. Bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Experience providing case management, system navigation, and family-centered support.
• Familiarity with recovery pathways, including medication-assisted treatment, 12-step, and non-traditional models.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and contribute to collaborative care planning.
• Valid CT driver's license and comfort driving outreach van.
• I am willing to attend events and assist with overdose response outreach.
• Commitment to serving families in a manner that promotes dignity, autonomy, and emotional safety.

What We Offer

• Competition Compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonuses
• 401K
• FSA
• HSA
• Employee Assistance Program