Overview

Summary:

Streetwork Project is an innovative outreach-counseling program for homeless youth in Harlem, which utilizes a harm reduction approach. Under this umbrella, Case managers provide comprehensive services to adolescents and young adults impacted by homelessness and involved in street activities (gangs, violence, drug use/sale and survival sex). Services provided by Case manager include assessment, case planning, case facilitation and management, counseling, referrals, outreach, crisis transportation, daily living services (food, shower, respite), triage counseling, recreational activities and support groups. Case Manager coordinates with Safe Horizon supporting programs and local agencies to provide short and long term care necessary to meet the wide range of needs related to homeless adolescents.

Responsibilities:

  • Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients.
  • Intake and assessment for individuals seeking assistance.
  • Triage counseling; Mediation for internal conflicts.
  • Engagement of adolescents into program structure (harm reduction philosophy, rules, mutual respect).
  • Support Drop-in staff in providing youth access to daily living needs (food, clothes, hygiene supplies, space to rest).
  • Provide supportive and crisis intervention counseling utilizing a trauma based intervention ( ARC) for youth with more complex mental health needs and challenges.
  • Collaborate and coordinate with on- site mental health providers to ensure clients access to care.
  • Serve as an advocate and liaison for clients negotiating the shelter system and other social service programs.
  • Enrollment of clients for Public Assistance & Food-stamps.
  • Coordinate with social worker in assessing clients’ eligibility and assist with processing for SSI benefits.
  • Completion of application for Supportive Housing and SSI for youth who are eligible.
  • Complete psychosocial reports on youth for Supportive Housing & SOAR screening tools for SSI.
  • Advocacy on behalf of under 18-year-old clients for Administration for Children’s Services support.
  • Designing and developing curriculum for funder required educational groups.
  • Provide group led facilitation and conducting of educational presentations on HIV/AIDS, risk reduction and other topics related to sub-populations of homeless youth.
  • Street outreach to homeless and street involved young people, as assigned.
  • Escort homeless youth to appropriate services and provide transportation as part of case plan.
  • Preparation of case records, prepare monthly and quarterly statistical reports.
  • Maintain routine administrative responsibilities to include the preparation of correspondence, maintaining files, mail, email, and telephone.
  • Participate at staff trainings, staff meetings and staff group process workshops & clinical case conferencing; Participate in weekly supervision.

Secondary Job Functions:

  • Petty Cash reconciliation.
  • Identification of new resources appropriate for population.
  • Provide wellness and recreational (engagement) activities.
  • Coordinate services with other Streetwork staff and on-site legal, medical, and psychiatric service providers.
  • Manage events in the Drop-In Center, Monitor entrance to the program, oversee concrete support to clients, provide transportation to NYC Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs and/or oversee meal preparation.

Interacts with:

  • All Streetwork program sites and staff.
  • All internal Safe Horizon programs and departments that can comprehensively support the client and case plan.
  • All external agencies and organizations that can provide appropriate services to the client.

Qualifications:

  • Experience working in a social services setting, OR
  • Personal experience with street survival activities (homelessness, gangs, drug economy, sex industry) with three years separation from involvement in these activities. Deep understanding of the relationship between personal experience and professional standards.
  • Experience working with youth who have Co-occurring Disorders.
  • Bachelor’s Degree, creative arts, liberal studies or any field related to working with youth +2 years experience working with youth or High school diploma or equivalent + minimum of 6 years experience working in social service settings with target population.

Desirable:

  • Experience in implementing Evidence Based Interventions in trauma informed care in work with youth.
  • At least 1 year working with the homeless population, youth, or harm reduction.

Knowledge and Skills:

Required:

  • Compassionate approach to others and openness to new ideas.
  • Dynamic energy, able to multi-task and negotiate multiple demands on attention.
  • Non-judgmental approach and ability to empathize with others.
  • Clear and concise verbal and written communication skill, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Genuine interest in working with disenfranchised youth and young adults.

Desirable:

  • Understanding of harm reduction perspective.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Other:

  • Basic understanding of computer and systems for managing case records.

If hired, I agree to abide by all of Safe Horizon’s rules and regulations, and understand that, if employed, my employment may be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at the option of either the company or me. I further understand that no representation, whether oral or written by any representative or agent of the organization, at any time, constitutes a contract of employment.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

Please follow this link to view complete EEO Law and complaint filing information:

https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_files/employers/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf

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