Engagement / Outreach Case Manager

The Outreach & Engagement Case Manager connects youth ages 18-24 experiencing homelessness to permanent housing and supportive resources. This position provides face-to-face triage services in shelters, at Daybreak, in community settings, and through street outreach to engage unsheltered youth . The Case Manager also participates in the rotation of supervising Daybreak's Drop-In Center, where many unhoused youth seek support, guidance, and connection to resources.

Beyond direct client support, this position plays a critical role in representing Daybreak across the Miami Valley through outreach and community engagement. The Case Manager builds trusting relationships with high-risk or hard-to-reach youth, develops individualized service plans, and collaborates with service providers to connect clients to housing, employment, healthcare, and personal development opportunities. The role requires strong communication skills, cultural competence, persistence, and a passion for helping young people move from homelessness to stability and independence.

Essential duties and responsibilities :

• Conduct street outreach to identify and engage unsheltered youth (ages 18-24) in encampments, public spaces, and community locations, linking them to shelter, housing, and supportive services.
• Provide face-to-face triage and crisis intervention in shelters, the Drop-In Center, and community settings to address immediate needs and connect youth to Daybreak's programs (shelter, employment, behavioral health, and housing).
• Participate in the rotation of supervising Daybreak's Drop-In Center, ensuring a safe, supportive space for literally homeless and street-homeless youth.
• Build trusting, therapeutic relationships with youth and utilize evidence-based practices (Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Harm Reduction) to support engagement and progress toward stability.
• Complete intakes, Coordinated Entry assessments, Housing Needs Assessments, and HMIS documentation accurately and within required timelines.
• Assess housing needs, strengths, and barriers; assist youth with housing search, landlord advocacy, and resolving issues such as credit, debt, rental history, or documentation.
• Collaborate with Daybreak teams (housing, employment, clinical, case management) and external partners (PATH program, Goodwill, Homeless Solutions Policy Board, Five Rivers Samaritan Clinic, Children Services, schools, treatment providers, etc.) to connect youth to resources.
• Support youth in applying for benefits and entitlements (Medicaid, SNAP, SSI / SSDI, SOAR, POE, FDA, etc.) to improve access to housing and stability.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential client records in CareLogic and HMIS, documenting progress notes, service provision, and client outcomes.
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, case reviews, and engagement team meetings to ensure coordinated services and effective housing placements.
• Provide respectful, person-centered services to youth with complex needs, including those experiencing chronic homelessness, mental health challenges, and co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Represent Daybreak at community outreach events, presentations, and collaborative initiatives to strengthen referral networks and awareness of youth services.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, contributing to program development, grant reporting, and continuous improvement of outreach and engagement strategies.

Assume an advocacy and leadership role which exemplifies the belief in the potential of the client, where applicable.

Ensures all duties set by agency's guidelines and programs policies and procedures are completed on time and as assigned.

Find opportunities for enhancement of the existing structure and processes between the adult shelters and Daybreak. Collaborate with the St. Vincent De Paul Shelters staff to identify and referral of youth in need of assistance. Establishing an effective communication system between Daybreak, Homeful and the adult shelters.

Meet weekly and / or as assigned with Program Manager for supervision to discuss program development and implementation, Daybreak's policies and procedures, collaboration with the adult CoC, client's progress and participates in other meetings as assigned.

Notifies supervisors of potential or real emergencies including criminal activities, high risk behavior, mental health emergencies, health emergencies or other activities that impact safety, security, and public relations, where applicable.

Models professional behavior and actively contribute in a positive manner and demonstrates constructive positive problem-solving strategies and openness to others' opinions.

Refrains from engaging in dual-relationships or any other ethical boundary with clients to ensure and protect client's rights and consults with supervisor when there might be a risk of these situations, where applicable.

Refrains from engaging in negative or counterproductive behaviors and attitudes and strives to keep the well-being of co-workers and clients at the forefront.

Demonstrates appreciation, understanding and trust in the work of his / her colleagues.

Work cooperatively with other departments to meet the needs of the clients and work in conjunction to present awareness in the community of Daybreak programs.

Utilizes the therapeutic milieu and evidence-based practices like the Trauma Informed Care model in managing youth behaviors, conflict resolution and crisis de-escalation in coordination with the Engagement team and the Clinical team, as needed.

Attends training / agency meetings, as scheduled. Responsible for completing all required training courses needed to comply with Daybreak policy. Maintains appropriate in-service training hours by attending conferences, workshops and training that are relevant to the job description and assignment tasks.

Adheres to and upholds agency's Mission, Core Values, attendance policies and procedures and maintain and contribute to positive customer relations-both internally and externally (clients, staff, vendors, donors.)

Attends All-Staff meetings each year

Drive Daybreak vehicles, when necessary, where applicable.

It is the policy of Daybreak to ensure that the facility is in compliance with all license requirements and that all employees are fit for duty. Once a conditional offer of employment has been given, Daybreak requires that all prospective employees sign a background check release form and pass pre-employment testing before a start date may be given.

Background Check

Daybreak is required by State of Ohio law to perform a criminal background check, which includes fingerprinting, of eligible applicants. In addition to the fingerprints, Daybreak requires the following additional background checks.

National Sex Offender Registry

Pre-employment Testing

The following pre-employment tests will be conducted at Daybreak's expense. Tests include :

Should the pre-employment reviews indicate that the prospective employee does not meet the employment requirements, Daybreak has the option of either not hiring the person or postponing employment until the condition prohibiting employment has been removed.

If the background or pre-employment checks contain information that the applicant has committed, been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense, unless the charge was a minor misdemeanor not involving violence or a sexual offense at least 5 years old, or if the applicant refuses to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check, the conditional offer of employment will be withdrawn immediately.

Pursuant to SB 38 (child-serving agency), if it is determined that the applicant has committed one of the disqualifying events listed on the attached Ohio Revised Code Disqualifier sheet may prevent employment at Daybreak.