South Cook County Outreach Coordinator

Women, trans, gender non-conforming and queer folks, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Live4Lali is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate by race, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability in its procedures and policies.

 

Substance use disorder has become a devastating epidemic with more than 288 Americans dying every day from an accidental drug overdose. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 3,261 opioid overdose fatalities in 2022 – more than twice the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents and more than twice the number of homicides. EMS responses to 21,922 opioid overdoses in 2022. The increase in the number of fatalities is attributed to the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl. Since 2013, synthetic opioid deaths in Illinois have increased 3,341%.

 

Live4Lali has been serving suburban Chicagoland for nearly fifteen years providing critical prevention, education, treatment access, support programs, community solutions-building initiatives, harm reduction, and overdose prevention services to decrease the devastating toll of the opioid epidemic.

 

Live4Lali’s mission is to reduce stigma and prevent substance use disorder among individuals, families, and communities, and minimize the overall health, legal and social harms associated with substance use.

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The South Cook County Outreach Coordinator will co-coordinate the Harm Reduction Outreach and Overdose Prevention Program alongside the current Outreach Program Manager. As the IDHS listed naloxone provider for the South Cook County suburbs, the South Cook County Outreach Coordinator will also take calls from community members and arrange for training for individuals without transportation if needed.

 

Under the direct supervision of the Cook County Program Manager, the South Cook County Outreach Coordinator will be part of the Live4Lali team, engaged in the following activities:

  • Identify areas of greatest need within Southern Cook County, and distribute Naloxone both on the street and within existing services;
  • Assist with stocking, ordering and maintaining harm reduction inventory;
  • Accurately log and report data collected during outreach;
  • Provide on the spot training in harm reduction and overdose response and distribute naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication across the counties;
  • Provide education on overdose prevention and harm reduction techniques;
  • Identify rehabs, shelters, supportive housing, sober living and other facilities and educate on the need to scale up access to naloxone and other safety practices, providing training where needed;
  • Provide transportation for individuals requiring treatment, recovery, or wrap-around services;
  • Provide increased and enhanced training to impacted persons, and the general public on first aid practices, naloxone distribution, and harm reduction practices;
  • Identify and develop safety plans with peers who are at increased risk of overdose;
  • Collect, input, and coordinate data;
  • Must have an understanding of, and ability to maintain, HIPAA compliance and participant confidentiality at all times.
  • Provide open office hours for community drop in.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

The South Cook County Outreach Coordinator will preferably be a person with at least 2 years in recovery/remission from substance use disorder. Bilingual in Spanish a plus. They will also have a minimum of two years’ relevant work or lived experience in substance use disorder, mental health, public health or social work, and will demonstrate the following minimum requirements:

  • Direct service delivery experience in the community social services sector with a demonstrated working knowledge of community-based programs and community support systems;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Proficiency in technology, including but not limited to Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Office Suite;
  • Demonstrated attention to detail and strong organizational skills;
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of safer drug use, addictions, safer sex, sex work, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, etc.;
  • Demonstrated knowledge of social justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and health care;
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to harm reduction principles and practices;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are actively using substances and living with significant health challenges;
  • Experience managing hostile interactions, utilizing non-violent communication and diffusing techniques;
  • Ability to problem solve with creativity, flexibility and assertiveness in dealing with complex issues;
  • Ability to work as part of a team, to prioritize and handle multiple tasks, and to work independently in a high-pressure environment. CPR and Basic first aid certified preferred.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the importance and role of people who use drugs in the development, delivery, and evaluation of services intended to benefit them;
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills required to work effectively with co-workers, clients, community, and other service providers;
  • Strong working knowledge of local health and social services;
  • Must have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and reliable inter-suburban vehicle;
  • Feel comfortable driving 10-40 miles per day to serve the population as needed;
  • Must comply with all Live4Lali policies and procedures, including, but not limited to the Risk Management Guidelines.

 

The South Cook County Outreach Coordinator position is based primarily out of our Cook County office but will travel to multiple nearby locations, occasionally coming to our Arlington Heights office. This is a full-time position with compensation equating to $42,000 per year.  The exact hours for this role are still changing as our programs expand, but as it revolves around street and mobile outreach, the hours are not a standard 9 to 5. Days and times are open to some negotiation for the right candidate. Involvement in the criminal justice system is not an automatic disqualifier.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should email a (1) cover letter and (2) resume with (3) two references to [email protected]. Please use the subject line “South Cook County Outreach Coordinator.” Only electronic submissions will be accepted.