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Form of workJob Description
Company Overview
Health disparities among New Yorkers are large, persistent and increasing. Public Health Solutions (PHS) exists to change that trajectory and support vulnerable New York City families in achieving optimal health and building pathways to reach their potential. As the largest public health nonprofit serving New York City, we improve health outcomes and help communities thrive by providing services directly to vulnerable low-income families, supporting community-based organizations through our long-standing public-private partnerships, and bridging the gap between healthcare and community services. We focus on a wide range of public health issues including food and nutrition, health insurance, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, tobacco control, and HIV/AIDS. To learn more about our work, please visit healthsolutions.org.
Program Description
PHS’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Centers (SRH Centers) have been selected for a 5-Year grant from the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute (NYSDOH AI) to operate the Young Adult Community Access Programs (YACAP), aimed at delivering sexual health, supportive, and behavioral health services to reduce disparate HIV and STI transmission rates and outcomes among Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming youth.
YACAP models serve adolescents and young adults (AYAs), ages 13 to 29 years, that are at disproportionately impacted by HIV and STIs and would benefit from access to a PrEP prescriber, sexual health services, and referrals to services to reduce social determinants of health (SDOH). Priority populations include AYAs who are BIPOC; LGBTQIA+; women; young men who have sex with men; and individuals experiencing challenges related to social and structural determinants of health (such as runaway/ homeless youth, individuals involved in the street economy/sex trafficking, individuals who use substances, and those who have experienced trauma, physical, mental, or sexual abuse).
Position Summary
We are currently seeking three (3) part-time Community Peer Advocates (CPADs) to act as peer support for individuals in our priority population that are seeking services at our clinic. Candidates should be representative of the priority populations served by the YACAP program, including young adults who identify as BIPOC; LGBTQIA+; women; young men who have sex with men; and/or individuals experiencing challenges related to social and structural determinants of health. The position will be an essential part of the YACAP team and will be based at the PHS SRH Centers.
Specifically, the Community Peer Advocate will:
- Complete orientation and training, including mandatory 2-week training at time of hire.
- Provide presentations and workshops at local public schools and other community-based organizations on topics relevant to priority populations, such as access to healthcare, mental health and substance use services.
- Conduct outreach within the community and within organizations serving priority populations with the goal of connecting these populations to clinical and supportive services at PHS’ SRH Centers.
- Connect priority populations with essential sexual health services such as PEP, PrEP, HIV/STI testing and treatment, and any other services deemed necessary.
- Develop LGBTQIA+ youth and young adult recruitment materials, such as flyers, posters, and social media content with input from Program Manager and PHS communications team.
- Support social worker referral of YACAP participants for external behavioral and mental health care services including participant follow-up.
- Provide on-sight peer support to YACAP participants during clinic visits to ensure that services.
- Complete participant intake and input all participant information into the AIDS Institute Reporting System (AIRS) with oversight from Program Manager.
- Maintain contact with participants to ensure they have continued access to clinic services and/or resources.
- Build rapport with leads of other youth-focused PHS programs to facilitate cross-program enrollment, if necessary.
- Develop and support partnerships with local organizations serving LGBTQIA+ youth and young adult populations.
- Other duties as directed by supervisor.
Qualifications:
- A minimum of a High-School degree or GED is required.
- Candidates should be representative of the priority populations served by the YACAP program, including young adults who identify as BIPOC; LGBTQIA+; women; young men who have sex with men; and/or individuals experiencing challenges related to social and structural determinants of health.
- Interest and/or prior experience in public speaking and providing presentations to priority populations served by the YACAP program.
- Interest or prior experience in issues related to LGBTQIA+ health, adolescent health, sexual health & HIV/STI prevention.
- Attention to detail, as well as excellent time management, organizational, and oral and written communication skills required.
- Abilities to adapt to the needs of diverse audiences and facilitate discussions of sensitive material.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
