Outreach and Support Specialist

The Outreach and Support Specialist is responsible for expanding community awareness of abuse in later life, strengthening partnerships throughout Suffolk County, and providing trauma-informed case management and supportive services to individuals experiencing abuse, with a focus on adults age 50 and older. This position develops and delivers prevention education, facilitates community-building programming, and connects survivors to resources that promote safety, independence, and well-being.

• Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention and case management to survivors of abuse age 50+.
• Complete assessments and intakes and develop individualized service plans based on needs.
• Provide advocacy, safety planning, referrals, and follow-up.
• Assist clients in navigating housing, healthcare, legal, financial, and public benefit supports.
• Maintain a database of resources to support older adults experiencing abuse.
• Coordinate internal and external referrals.
• Maintain accurate client records.

• Develop relationships with healthcare providers, libraries, senior centers, faith communities, law enforcement, and community organizations to promote awareness and access to support services.
• Coordinate and host outreach events.
• Deliver presentations and facilitate educational programming for community members and partner organizations.

• Assist with strengthening our Coordinated Community Response (CCR) team and participate in other collaborative professional groups.
• Network with community partner agencies and develop new partnerships to provide warm handoffs to services.

• Maintain Agency database.
• Prepare grant reports and assist with grant compliance.
• Collect and report program data.
• Participate in activities necessary to meet grant deliverables and performance measures.
• Assist in implementation of Abuse in Later Life program goals and evaluation activities.
• Other duties as assigned**

• Reports to: Assistant Shelter Director-Case Manager Supervisor with guidance from Director of Prevention Programming

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field strongly preferred. Two to five years experience in client services, community outreach, advocacy, or a related field experience will be considered.
• Demonstrate trauma-informed practices, empathy, patience and cultural sensitivity.
• Knowledge of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, human trafficking, elder abuse, and related victim services, or the ability and willingness to develop expertise in these areas.
• Experience developing and facilitating educational workshops, presentations, or group programs for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrates confidence in public speaking, strong interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with community organizations.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and electronic client data systems.
• Comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to abuse, aging, and victimization with clients, community partners, and the public.
• Comfortable providing support and services to older adult survivors in a trauma-informed and respectful manner.
• Bilingual English/Spanish strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required
• Ability to transport and set up outreach materials and equipment weighing up to approximately 30 pounds for community events.

• Ability to transport outreach materials weighing up to approximately 30 pounds.
• Ability to travel throughout Suffolk County.
• Ability to set up outreach displays and event materials.
• Ability to sit, stand, and present for extended periods.
• Ability to speak comfortably within the community and to partner agencies.

Every effort has been made to make agency job descriptions as complete as possible. However, it does not state or imply that these are the only duties required for this position or the sole responsibilities for which this employee will be accountable. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, is a logical assignment to the position, or is within the scope of generally accepted business practices for an employee with this specific job title. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The Retreat Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

THE RETREAT, INC. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, military status, veteran status, age, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, gender identity, religion, genetic predisposition, familial status, ancestry, prior arrest or conviction record or any other protected category under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The agency values and is committed to providing compassionate, empathic and culturally aware services to all clients/members. Interactions are approached with these values in mind, and it is expected that clients/members will be treated with compassion, respect and sensitivity during the provision of holistic, inclusive and welcoming services.