Ars Staff Community Involvement
Our Mission in Action
At ARS, our staff are not just administrators or coordinators—we are community connectors. Whether you work in workforce development, outreach, communications, or program support, every team member plays a meaningful role in improving the lives of the people we serve. This page is your practical guide to getting involved, making warm referrals, and helping clients access the full spectrum of resources available to them.
Four Things Every ARS Staff Member Is
Community Connectors
We meet people where they are and build bridges to the resources they need.
Education
First
We inform, guide, and navigate—not diagnose or treat. Our role is to educate and refer.
Culturally Responsive
We honor the cultural backgrounds of all clients, especially immigrant and API communities.
Whole-Person Support
We address housing, wellness, and employment barriers that affect long-term stability.
1 Community Outreach & Education Activities
ARS staff are encouraged to participate in—and help lead—non-clinical community education activities. These create trust, reduce stigma, and serve as the welcoming front door to all ARS services.
What Staff Can Do:
- Host or co-facilitate public wellness workshops and community forums in your service area (San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, Inland Empire).
- Deliver culturally tailored presentations on mental health awareness, substance use prevention, and stigma reduction—in community languages such as Korean, Tagalog, Mandarin, or Spanish where possible.
- Conduct tabling events at health fairs, community centers, libraries, schools, churches, and local nonprofit gatherings.
- Share harm reduction information in a non-clinical, educational format—focusing on safety, awareness, and community resources rather than clinical intervention.
- Lead or assist with mental wellness skill-building sessions covering stress management, resilience-building, and self-care strategies.
- Collaborate with the Communications team to create multilingual outreach materials and social media content that inform the community of available services.
2 Employment & Workforce Support for Clients
ARS’s core mission is workforce development. Staff can directly support clients—whether they are job seekers, individuals in recovery, or people facing employment barriers—through the following activities.
Direct Employment Support:
- Provide individualized job readiness coaching, including resume preparation, interview skills, and professional communication.
- Help clients identify employment pathway options aligned with their skills, recovery stage, and personal goals.
- Connect clients to ARS’s employer network and advocate for recovery-friendly, disability-inclusive hiring practices.
- Offer benefits and financial coaching to help clients sustain employment without losing critical stability supports (e.g., navigating Medi-Cal, housing assistance, and other benefits while working).
- Support clients transitioning from wellness programming into vocational readiness by translating life skills and community experiences into professional competencies.
Supporting Specific Populations:
Individuals in Recovery
Recovery-supportive employment coaching, addressing gaps in work history, and connecting with partner agencies offering peer support services.
Immigrant Communities
Language-accessible career navigation, credential recognition support, and culturally responsive outreach across API and immigrant populations.
Individuals with Disabilities
Customized employment plans, accommodation education for clients and employers, and connection to disability-inclusive job placement programs
3 Referring Clients to Partner Clinics & Licensed Providers
One of the most important things ARS staff can do is recognize when a client needs clinical support that goes beyond our scope, and make a warm, supportive referral to a trusted partner. This is called a “warm handoff” and is a core part of how we serve our community.
When to Consider a Referral:
- A client expresses symptoms of mental health distress (e.g., persistent sadness, anxiety, mood instability, or difficulty functioning).
- A client discloses substance use concerns and is open to or seeking support beyond educational programming.
- A client needs a formal clinical assessment, diagnosis, or ongoing therapy — services that ARS does not provide directly.
- A client requires Medi-Cal-funded behavioral health services, psychiatric medication management, or counseling.
- A client is experiencing a housing or family crisis that requires social work or licensed case management intervention.
- A client has physical health concerns that need attention at a community health clinic or FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center).
How to Make a Warm Handoff — Step by Step
Step 1 Build Trust First
Before suggesting a referral, ensure the client feels heard and respected. Acknowledge their situation with empathy and without judgment. Ask: “Would it be okay if I shared some resources that might help you with that?”
Step 2 Identify the Right Resource
Based on the client’s need, identify the most appropriate partner clinic, FQHC, county agency, or behavioral health provider. Refer to ARS’s current Partner Resource Directory (available from your supervisor or the program office) for an up-to-date list of vetted partners.
Step 3 Make the Introduction (Don’t Just Hand Over a Flyer)
When possible, make a direct introduction—call the partner clinic together with the client, or send a warm email introduction with the client’s consent. Provide the client with the partner’s contact information, location, hours, and languages spoken. Confirm that the client has transportation or help them problem-solve access barriers (transit, telehealth options, etc.).
Step 4 Document and Follow Up
Log the referral in the client’s case notes according to ARS documentation protocols. Check in with the client at their next contact to confirm they were able to connect with the referred provider. If the client faced barriers, assist them in troubleshooting and try an alternative resource.
Types of Partner Clinics & Services We Refer To:
| Partner Type | Services They Provide | When to Refer |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Behavioral Health Providers | Individual therapy, counseling, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. | Client expresses need for ongoing mental health treatment or counseling. |
| FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) | Primary care, dental, mental health, and substance use services—often on a sliding-scale or Medi-Cal basis. | Client lacks insurance or needs integrated health care at low or no cost. |
| LA County Dept. of Mental Health (DMH) | Crisis intervention, case management, outpatient mental health services. | Client is in acute mental health crisis or needs county-funded services. |
| Substance Use Treatment Programs (Certified SUD Providers) | Detox, residential, outpatient, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs. | Client discloses substance use disorder and is open to or seeking formal treatment. |
| Peer Support Organizations | Lived-experience mentorship, recovery coaching, and mutual aid. | Client benefits from peer connection and recovery community support. |
| Housing & Social Services Agencies | Emergency shelter, transitional housing, CalWORKs, and utility assistance. | Client is experiencing housing instability that is a barrier to employment or wellness. |
4 Other Ways ARS Staff Can Help Clients
Beyond direct service delivery and referrals, there are many ways that all ARS team members—regardless of role—can contribute to better client outcomes and a stronger community.
Holistic Client Support
- Help clients navigate benefits, housing, and legal aid resources by connecting them to information and partner organizations.
- Assist clients in accessing transportation resources, telehealth options, or childcare support so they can attend appointments or programs.
- Offer emotional encouragement and celebrate client milestones—from completing a workshop to landing a job interview.
- Share information about public health programs, vaccination clinics, and preventive care resources during outreach events.
Community & Organizational Involvement
- Volunteer at ARS-hosted or partner community events outside of regular program hours to expand our reach.
- Share your own cultural knowledge and lived experience to inform culturally appropriate outreach materials and programming.
- Participate in cross-team collaboration to ensure seamless service coordination between workforce, wellness, and outreach programs.
- Contribute ideas for new community partnerships, events, or resources that could benefit our clients.
Employer Partnership Engagement
- Educate partner employers about recovery-friendly and disability-inclusive workplace practices.
- Build relationships with local businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits to expand the ARS job placement network.
- Coordinate with employers to create internship, apprenticeship, or transitional employment opportunities for ARS clients.
- Identify and document employer success stories to promote recovery-supportive employment throughout the region.
Staff Self-Care & Professional Growth
- Participate in ARS professional development trainings to stay current on trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and culturally responsive service delivery.
- Practice personal wellness strategies modeled in our client programming—we lead by example.
- Use peer consultation and supervisory support when navigating challenging client situations.
- Engage in continuous learning about the communities we serve, including language access, immigration issues, and mental health stigma.
5 Know Your Role: Scope of Practice Guidance
Understanding the boundaries of our role is essential for compliance, client safety, and organizational integrity. ARS operates as a non-clinical education and navigation organization under California DHCS guidelines.
✓ ARS Staff DO
- Provide education about mental health, wellness, and substance use
- Conduct community outreach, workshops, and health fairs
- Help clients navigate available community resources
- Make warm referrals to licensed providers and partner clinics
- Offer job readiness coaching and employment support
- Deliver harm reduction education (non-clinical)
- Provide benefits navigation and financial coaching information
- Document referrals and follow up on client connections
✗ ARS Staff DO NOT
- Provide clinical diagnosis or psychiatric assessment
- Offer therapy, counseling, or clinical treatmentProvide clinical diagnosis or psychiatric assessment
- Bill Medi-Cal or insurance for clinical services
- Market or advertise clinical or therapeutic services
- Prescribe or recommend medications
- Make clinical determinations about a client’s mental health
- Provide legal or immigration advice
- Act beyond your job description without supervisor approval
6 Get Started: Resources for You
Ready to connect with ARS? Here’s how to get started:
01
Visit www.arsworkability.org to explore our programs, services, and upcoming community events available in your area.
02
03
Attend a free community workshop, health fair, or wellness event near you—offered throughout the San Gabriel Valley, Los Angeles County, and the Inland Empire.
04
Ask about job readiness programs, career coaching, or employment support services available to you at no cost.
05
Let us connect you to a trusted partner clinic, housing resource, or community service through our warm referral network—we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Questions? We’re Here to Help.
Contact your Program Manager or the ARS Program Office for guidance on referrals, community involvement opportunities, or any questions about your scope of practice.