Housing Advocate- Re-entry

Organization Summary

Hands Across Long Island, Inc. (HALI) is a non-profit, peer-run mental health agency providing advocacy and support to people experiencing trauma, mental health, and co-occurring life challenges. HALI provides a collaborative, flexible, and supportive work environment, along with a competitive benefits package.

Position Summary

This is a unique opportunity to join the Supported Housing team. The Housing Advocate- Re-entry directly supports tenants living at HALI’s Supported Housing Re-entry sites by working with individuals re-entering the community from incarceration. This position reports to the Director of Supported Housing.
Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Job Responsibilities:

· Work with individuals re-entering the community from incarceration.

· Maintain a case load of a minimum of 10 tenants. Visit tenants four times a month and inspect apartment regularly based on regulations and standards for safety.

· Manage and update tenant files both paper and EHR, including maintaining documentation of all encounters with tenant.

· Work with community care coordinators, collaterals, other providers, family, and friends.

· Work with Parole Officers to assist Tenant in maintaining safety in the community.

· Review lease with tenant and provide explanation as needed; assist tenant or advocate for tenant in interacting with landlord.

· Meet with tenants to provide peer support and to assist in identifying and linking up with services, programs and recreation in the community.

· Assist and teach tenant about upkeep of living space (i.e., cleaning, light maintenance) and other basic living skills.

· In conjunction with the tenant, develop and maintain a personalized community services directory, safety plan and goal plan..

· Use tools/frameworks such as Trauma Informed Peer Support, Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Recovery Coaching, and Motivational Interviewing in support of HALI service recipients.

· Promote overall agency vision of recovery, peer support, empowerment, and social justice.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

· Training in/understanding of Trauma-Responsive Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Harm Reduction approach

· Working toward NYS Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) or CPS-P; OR Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or CRPA-P; OR Certified Youth Peer Advocate (YPA) or YPA-P

· At least one year’s relevant work experience in the field of mental health, recovery, housing, or peer support

· Familiarity with community services, Parole and Probation, Mental Health Court, benefits/entitlements

· Clean and valid driver’s license. Frequent travel is required and a HALI vehicle is provided.

Preferred:

· Bachelor’s degree, ideally in related social services field

· Self-identification as current or former user of mental health or co-occurring services who can relate to others now using those services.

· Self-identification as former person with history of incarceration

Work Location: Central Islip, NY with local travel to housing sites

Work Hours/Schedule: Full time, 35 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4:00pm with occasional on-call coverage

Pay: $50,000- $55,000 yearly

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Term Life/AD&D/Disability, Whole Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Pet Insurance, Identity Theft, 403(b) with Matching, Paid Time Off (PTO)

At HALI, we are committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and embraces inclusivity in all aspects of our operations. We firmly believe that diversity enriches our Agency’s culture, fuels innovation, and leads to employee and participant empowerment. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to all employees, participants, and the community.

Hands Across Long Island is an equal opportunity employer, where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications, in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Application Question(s):

• Do you possess or are you working towards a NYS Certified Peer Specialist (CPS)?
• Do you possess or are you working towards a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA)?
• Do you possess or are you working towards a Certified Youth Peer Advocate (YPA)?

Experience:

• mental health, recovery, housing, or peer support: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Central Islip, NY 11722 (Required)

Work Location: In person