Mental Health Counselor, Supportive Housing

AFRICAN AMERICAN PLANNING COMMISSION INC • New York, NY

1d • $53,035 - $53,035

About The Position

Mental Health Counselor – Edwin’s Place The African American Planning Commission; Inc. (AAPCI) is a New York City-based nonprofit organization committed to reducing homelessness and addressing the related issues of domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, mental illness, substance abuse, shortage of affordable housing, and unemployment in the communities in which we live and serve. To be successful in this, we are building a team of professionals to service individuals and families with complex and chronic care needs to ensure they receive the right care, in the right setting and at the right time. Join us if you are passionate about making a difference and impacting the lives of those less fortunate, helping your local communities, and building skills and experience that can last a lifetime. We are completely committed to building and maintaining a great organizational culture that involves active employees – people looking to give back to inspire creativity in others, and to motivate and empower one another. Reporting Relationships: Case Manager/Harm Reduction Specialist report to the Assistant Program Director. Position Summary: The Case Manager/Mental Health Counselor counsel residents of the supportive housing program with an emphasis on prevention. Nature and Scope: The Case Manager/Mental Health Counselor works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health. Specific duties may vary by area assigned. The Case Manager/Mental Health Counselor develops collaborative relationships with other disciplines to assure effective client care.

Requirements

• Degree Requirement: Master’s degree in a related field (social work, mental health counseling, psychology, sociology etc.) with at least 2-3 years’ experience in a residential setting.
• Familiarity with NYC Supportive Housing; mental health, substance use, HIV/AIDS, or any other related field.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills with a focus on providing excellent client services
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a diverse community of residents, program staff and external partners.
• Ability to exercise good judgement and apply problem solving skills.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team oriented and outcomes focused environment.
• Ability to monitor and manage variety of tasks assigned
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift to 5 pounds at times
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities

Responsibilities

• Being a part of the Intake/screening/Assessment team to determine whether client is suitable for independent living and appropriate to be housed in the housing program.
• Provides clients with individual and group counseling in substance abuse, mental health or cooccurring issues, and co-leads specific resident population groups depending on assigned area.
• Use a Person-Centered approach to help clients set goals, identify interests, and address concerns.
• Get to know clients and their psychosocial history to provide strategic interventions and services.
• Provides education/information to adults and families and modifies treatments as necessary in response to client's progress.
• Develops and implements treatment plans based on clinical experience and knowledge.
• Use psycho-educational techniques to help clients understand and adhere to mediation regimens, as well as advocate with their providers.
• Participates in appropriate educational activities and department meetings.
• Conducts assessments and psychological evaluations.
• Directs adult clients and/or families to appropriate community agencies and resources for financial assistance, counseling, rehabilitation, auxiliary care, or to aid in location of, e.g., medical supplies, adaptive devices.
• Prepares, writes, and maintains all required progress notes, reports, and group notes.
• Keeps all electronic records as required.
• Coordinates phone and triage activities.
• Regularly coordinate care with all collateral contacts, including but not limited to family, providers, ACS and APS, Schools, etc.
• For family clients, maintain a strengths-based perspective to engage all members of the family to help improve family functioning.
• Conduct visits in the client's unit to ensure compliance with lease and program rules.
• Enlist the support of property management as appropriate for wellness checks.
• Conducts and maintains Monthly Progress Notes/Treatment Reports.
• Lead/Co-Lead monthly tenant meetings.
• Provide group activities and services including educational and recreational activities.
• Develops and maintains contacts with various community agencies to gather information on available resources, to relay appropriate client information, and to improve services provided.
• Help clients to understand and proactively address diagnoses (medical, psychiatric, substance abuse, etc.).
• Performs other related duties as may be requested by immediate supervisor.

Benefits

• Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental & Vision
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Annual Paid Time Off (23 days)
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Retirement Benefits Plan (403B)
• You may also get your college student debt forgiven tax free on Federal Direct Loans created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF, if you work full-time and after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a Qualifying Repayment Plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees