Overview

Summary:

Streetwork Project is the oldest street outreach program for homeless and street-involved youth in New York City. The program has grown from its beginnings in 1984 as a storefront project to encompass both outreach and comprehensive harm reduction services. The core service is long-term, one-on-one counseling, which is offered in a non-judgmental and holistic manner utilizing a harm reduction approach that focuses on building trust, fostering self-esteem, exploring options and choices, and empowering youth to change their high-risk behaviors. The Coordinator Public Benefits will work with clients on accessing emergency and long-term benefits. The core of the benefit assistance will include advocacy for acquiring and navigating cash assistance, food stamp (SNAP), Medicaid and disability-income programs (SSI and WeCARE). The Coordinator Public Benefits will also provide trainings to Streetwork staff and provide technical assistance on individual cases with Case Managers and other staff members.

Responsibilities:

  • Learn and integrate a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, using an anti-oppressive lens, into your work with clients.
  • Provide supportive advice and recommendations to target population.
  • Provide intakes as needed.
  • Carry a small caseload and perform long-term case management.
  • Prepare case records and compile daily statistics.
  • Write up documentation of summaries of medical records for disability benefits applications (SSI).
  • Provide in-house individual crisis intervention and emergency assessments.
  • Advocate for clients in the social service system to obtain benefits; SSI, Public Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP.
  • Coordinate referrals for psychiatric evaluations; work with psychiatrist to assist in creating documentation for client applications for disability benefits.
  • Work in collaboration with the Housing Coordinator, Case Managers, Assistant Directors, and consulting psychiatrist to assist clients in applying for supportive income.
  • Provide strong advocacy and coordination of care and services.
  • Support drop-in daily flow as needed.
  • De-escalate and mediate conflicts on site.
  • Participate in biweekly supervision.

Secondary Job Functions:

  • Support the oversight of daily program activities.
  • Escort youth to appropriate services and provide transportation as part of case planning.
  • Participate at staff trainings, staff meetings, and staff group process workshops.

Interacts with:

  • Streetwork Uptown Site
  • Streetwork Lower East Side
  • Streetwork Overnight Crisis Shelter

Qualifications:

  • Three (3) years’ experience providing services to at-risk youth preferred and/or at least 1 year with Streetwork providing direct service care.
  • Experience with youth and/or homeless population, utilizing harm reduction philosophy preferred
  • High School degree or equivalent relevant experience in direct service care and with at-risk population.

 Required skills:

  • Understanding of harm reduction perspective.
  • Compassionate approach to others and openness to new ideas.
  • Dynamic energy, ability 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.

 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. 

New Requirement: 

Effective October 29, 2021, as a private contractor of The City of New York all Safe Horizon employees, interns and volunteers must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination unless they have been granted a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons. 

Technology Statement: 

Applicants may be responsible for providing the equipment and tools they need to work remotely as required, such as access to a computer, internet service, and phone service. Safe Horizon will discuss potential solutions with candidates and may assist where needed and agreed to in advance.  

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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