Community/Behavioral Health Outreach Coordinator
Organization Overview
American Indian Health Service of Chicago, Inc. (AIHSC) is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) dedicated to providing comprehensive primary care, behavioral health services, case management, and community health education to the Native American community and other underserved populations of Chicago. Our mission is to improve the health and wellness of our community through accessible, high-quality, and culturally appropriate health care services.
We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those with ties to Native American communities.
Position Overview
The Outreach Coordinator will support the Behavioral Health team by increasing awareness of available services; providing information and linkage to Behavioral Health services; developing educational and outreach materials; coordinating prevention activities; and strengthening relationships with community members. This role supports clinical staff by helping community members understand available services and connect to appropriate care, while allowing clinical staff to focus on direct patient care. The Outreach Coordinator does not schedule Behavioral Health appointments or make clinical referrals.
The Outreach Coordinator will also facilitate or co-facilitate non-clinical psycho-educational, wellness, and culturally based support groups that promote prevention, resilience, healing, and community connection. AIHSC seeks a dependable, mission-driven professional who is interested in a long-term role and committed to building sustained, trusting relationships with community members, patients, partners, and colleagues.
Scope of Services
The Outreach Coordinator may provide non-clinical psycho-education, wellness support, culturally based support groups, community-resource information, prevention education, and linkage to care. This position does not provide psychotherapy, clinical counseling, diagnosis, clinical assessment, or independent crisis intervention. When an individual has urgent behavioral health, safety, or crisis needs, the Outreach Coordinator will immediately notify and connect the individual with an appropriately qualified Behavioral Health clinician, supervisor, crisis service, emergency service, or other designated resource in accordance with AIHSC policy.
Essential Responsibilities
Community Outreach
· Represent the Behavioral Health Department at community events, health fairs, powwows, schools, partner agencies, and outreach activities.
· Build trusting relationships with community members through consistent presence and engagement.
· Provide education regarding behavioral health, Substance Use Recovery Services (SURS), crisis resources, suicide prevention, and available community support.
· Conduct outreach activities designed to reduce stigma surrounding behavioral health services.
· Promote behavioral-health groups, workshops, and community events.
· Conduct outreach to individuals who may benefit from behavioral-health services and provide information and linkage to appropriate care.
Groups, Prevention, and Community Programming
· Facilitate or co-facilitate non-clinical psycho-educational groups focused on wellness, stress management, coping skills, resiliency, healthy relationships, parenting, substance-use prevention, and life skills.
· Coordinate with the Cultural Committee to support culturally responsive groups that promote healing, cultural identity, community connectedness, and traditional wellness practices.
· Assist Behavioral Health clinicians with community-based workshops, educational presentations, and prevention programming.
· Monitor and document group attendance through sign-in sheets, preregistration records, or other approved tracking methods.
Educational Materials and Community Awareness
· Assist with the development and distribution of culturally responsive flyers, brochures, and educational handouts.
· Coordinate dissemination of outreach and prevention materials throughout the community.
· Collaborate with the Behavioral Health team to identify educational topics based on emerging community needs and trends.
· Maintain outreach supplies, educational resources, and promotional materials.
Collaboration, Documentation, and Quality Support
· Attend Behavioral Health team meetings and assist with planning outreach, prevention, group, and community-engagement activities.
· Collaborate with Behavioral Health clinicians, community partners, the Cultural Committee, and other AIHSC departments to support coordinated services.
· Document outreach contacts, group attendance, community events, educational materials distributed, linkage-to-care activities, and outcomes in approved tracking tools, databases, and/or the EHR, as applicable.
· Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in accordance with AIHSC policies, HIPAA requirements, and grant or program reporting requirements.
· Assist with data collection, program evaluation, and reporting activities related to outreach, prevention, and community engagement.
Education and Experience
· Associate degree required in human services, behavioral health, social services, public health, community health, education, or a related field.
· An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience in behavioral health, community outreach, peer support, social services, prevention, or community engagement may be considered.
· Experience providing community outreach, behavioral-health support, social services, community education, peer support, or related services is preferred.
· Experience facilitating educational groups, support groups, or community workshops is preferred.
· Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native communities, urban Indian health programs, culturally diverse populations, or underserved communities is preferred.
· Knowledge of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and community-centered practices is preferred.
Required Qualifications
· Strong organizational skills and the ability to coordinate multiple community activities.
· Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and public-speaking skills.
· Ability to build and maintain trusting, respectful, culturally responsive relationships with community members, patients, partners, and staff.
· Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary Behavioral Health team.
· Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, organizational policies, and professional boundaries.
· Ability to use basic computer applications, email, electronic tracking tools, and/or the EHR as required for documentation and reporting.
· Valid Illinois driver's license required.
· Reliable transportation required for community outreach, off-site events, and approved work-related travel.
· Occasional evening and weekend hours are required based on scheduled groups, community events, outreach needs, and special projects.
Preferred Credentials and Training
The following credentials and training are preferred:
· Certified Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS).
· Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.
· Peer-support certification.
· Mental Health First Aid certification.
· Current CPR/BLS certification.
· Suicide-prevention training.
Desired Characteristics
· Strong relationship builder who naturally engages with community members.
· Compassionate, approachable, and culturally responsive.
· Self-motivated with the ability to work independently.
· Organized, dependable, and flexible.
· Comfortable facilitating groups and speaking before diverse audiences.
· Passionate about prevention, wellness, and increasing access to behavioral-health services.
· Committed to long-term community engagement and trust-building.
Work Flexibility Statement
This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Outreach Coordinator. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or skills required for the position. Duties and responsibilities may be added, modified, or reassigned by management as needed and consistent with the employee's qualifications, scope of work, and the operational needs of AIHSC. The employee must remain flexible and able to perform other duties as assigned.
Contact Information
To apply or ask questions about this position, please submit your resume to Sharon H. at [email protected].
For questions, please call Sharon H. at 773-883-9100.
Pay: $23.00 - $32.00 per hour
Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
