At TASC (Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities) our mission is to build a healthier, safer, more just society. Since 1976, we have been guided by the belief that every individual holds the potential for positive change. We advocate, support, and most importantly, empower people to break barriers, find recovery, and reshape their destinies. Through the use of SPECIALIZED CASE MANAGEMENT™, we create a world where recovery, justice and empathy lead to thriving communities. Our foundation is anchored at the intersection of behavioral health and the criminal legal system. Today TASC also operates at the forefront of transformative solutions. We are a social impact organization that embodies a future where health, safety and justice is synonymous with hope. We are TASC!

We are currently looking for full-time – Care Coordinator
Starting at $44,000 – $47,000 contingent upon experience, education, etc.

POSITION SUMMARY:

TASC is seeking a passionate and results-driven Community Outreach Coordinator to promote a public awareness campaign in Cook County, on the South Side of Chicago. The Community Outreach Coordinator will play a crucial role in building awareness about adulterants in the drug supply, and work closely with partners such as the Chicago Department of Public Health, The South Side Heroin Opioid Task Force and other community organizations. This position will help inform our work with a public relations firm and disseminate information and collateral material to people who use drugs (PWUD) on the South Side of Chicago, and offer strategies to build awareness to street level drug suppliers as well. This public awareness campaign is aimed at educating people about adulterants in the drug supply, harm reduction initiatives, and connections to resources - in an effort to enhance awareness and ultimately reduce overdoses and the health related risks associated with using street drugs.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong communication skills, a deep understanding of the challenges faced by individuals who use drugs, and a commitment to empowering underserved communities. Additionally, the Community Outreach Coordinator should feel comfortable approaching and building rapport with people in active addiction, or who are or could be experimenting with street drugs, who are on the streets of Chicago, and with speaking to groups of people and doing presentations for partner organizations, criminal legal system stakeholders, and other community groups and individuals.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• With guidance from the VP of Strategic Partnerships, attend community functions and build community
• outreach maps that ensure information is reaching people who are impacted by the opioid/overdose epidemic.
• Provide direct outreach to people who are (or may be) actively using substances in the community to inform them of recent drug testing results in their local community and support services available to them on the South Side of Chicago and beyond.
• Organize and facilitate at least 2-3 community listening sessions or focus groups per quarter.
• Plan events to engage local community leaders, organizations, and residents to discuss available Harm
• Reduction efforts and Drug Testing supported by community partners.
• Organize workshops or training sessions for local organizations, leaders, and advocates to deepen understanding of adulterants in the drug supply, and the associated risks of overdose and collateral health problems related to those adulterants.
• Attend community and partner events as needed to educate people on the importance of Harm
• Reduction efforts and organizations that provide Harm Reduction supplies and Drug Testing.
• Coordinate informational sessions, workshops, and presentations to raise awareness of opioid overdose reversal medications and safer use supplies in Cook County and the South Side of Chicago.
• Collaborate with Harm Reduction organizations in Chicago to ensure that supplies and information reach a broad audience on the South Side.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications to ensure collateral materials are clear and understandable to PWUD and other local stakeholders.
• Attend all CDPH and South Side Heroin Opioid Task Force meetings as they relate to drug testing results,
• overdose mapping, and response.
• Collaborate with the Communications Team to enhance the digital outreach strategy and develop marketing materials for the public awareness campaign.
• Directly engage and collaborate with partner organizations that perform drug testing and provide harm reduction supplies and support.
• Contribute key insights and recommendations to the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Community Relations, ensuring alignment with community needs and stakeholder priorities.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key community partners, including behavioral health providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), health systems, and other community organizations.
• Attend all required agency and professional development training.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive map or list of key community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders.
• Identify and categorize stakeholders (advocates, local government, law enforcement or carceral staff, legal professionals, community leaders, service providers, etc.) based on their influence, interests, and potential for collaboration.
• Create a schedule for initial meetings, calls, and community events with key local organizations and leaders, as well as hyper-local businesses such as barbershops and churches.
• Develop detailed reports on outreach activities, including the number of meetings held, organizations engaged, and key outcomes. Use this data to refine outreach strategies and track progress toward relationship-building goals.
• Assist in the design and implementation of a client/partner survey to determine outreach impact.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent and relevant work experience.

• Familiarity with people who use drugs, ability to build rapport with people who are on the street and comfort with engaging unknown individuals who are or may be involved in the sale or use of street drugs.

• Familiarity and comfort with presenting to large groups of people with different backgrounds and beliefs.

• Experience with community organizing is a plus.

• Experience with coordinating events and outreach.

• Experience with relationship building and establishing and maintaining partnerships.

• Commitment to racial justice and building an infrastructure to support lasting policy change.

• Demonstrates cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse staff, clients, and community.

Our benefits package includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance and Flexible Spending

• Paid Leave - STD/LTD

• Paid Time Off/Sick Time/ Floating Holiday

• Tuition Reimbursement

• 403 B (retirement plan)

If you are interested in this position, please visit the TASC website at www.tasc.org and apply online.

TASC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free workplace. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or military status or any other protected status in accordance with federal and state law.