Community Outreach Specialist - Aurora - Family Guidance Centers, Inc

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. (FGC), a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare organization, treats and prevents substance use disorder, as well as an array of other related problems. Since 1969, FGC’s comprehensive programming has educated and guided individuals toward their full potential as productive members within their own families and our society. Family Guidance Centers, Inc seeks to support the behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities through our commitment to innovation, accountability, and compassionate care to facilitate positive, lasting change.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct outreach to people who use drugs, people experiencing homelessness, and communities throughout Will County to educate on overdose prevention and distribute overdose prevention supplies.
• Describe FGC programs, services and eligibility requirements in laymen’s terms to people struggling with opioid and alcohol addiction and those at risk of overdosing, as well as family members or friends of people struggling with addiction, informing and assisting them to gain immediate access to treatment.
• Develop and direct prospective referrals to FGC and other treatment providers, as appropriate and in accordance with patients’ needs and wishes.
• Develop referral relationships with shelter partners, homeless outreach teams, local task forces, hospital social workers, faith-based and local community organizations, and other community based organizations as appropriate, serving as their liaison to accessing treatment services offered by FGC.
• Complete daily activity logs to accurately record outreach efforts, client interactions, and services provided.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (7:30a - 4:00p)

Start Date: Last week of August

Work Location: 751 Aurora Ave., Aurora 

Starting Pay Rate: $20.00

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is a Drug Free Environment (including THC and/or CBD).

DCFS clearance required.

Family Guidance Centers, Inc. is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity , pregnancy, gender, protected veterans status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

Education and/or Experience:  High School Diploma or equivalent. Associates Degree preferred. Experience in behavioral health, community health outreach, substance use harm reduction, withdrawal management programs, medication-assisted treatment, and/or community relations required. Certification as a Recovery Support Specialist or education as a Community Health Worker preferred. Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred.

Preferred but not required: possess a valid driver's license, insurance, and personal vehicle

In the course of regular program operations, FGC outreach staff may be asked to utilize their own vehicles to transport themselves to and from outreach locations. In these cases, it is helpful but not necessary for staff to have access to their own vehicle. Candidates will never be disqualified from a position because they do not have a license, insurance, or personal vehicle. Programs will work with each staff member individually to ensure that they are able to travel to and from work locations safely and effectively. 

Family Guidance Centers Inc. offers opportunities for individuals with an interest in behavioral health. Our organization provides a comprehensive benefit package for full time employment that includes:

• Health Insurance
• Dental 
• Vision
• Life Insurance,
• EAP 
• 401k pension plan
• Vacation, sick and personal days with paid holidays off are included in our paid time off compensation package