Life Skills Specialists - Cortelyou Supported Housing

Position: Life Skills Specialist

Program/Department: Cortelyou Supportive Housing

Work Location: Cortelyou Road, Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY

Hours: Full Time - 35 hour per week - evenings and weekends as required

Rate: $45,000- $52,000 annualized

Reports to: Assistant Program Director

1921 Cortelyou is a 46 unit supportive housing program located in Flatbush Brooklyn. The Program specially services young adults 18-25 years old with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness and have a chronic history of being unhoused. Most of the young adults living at 1921 Cortelyou are members of the LGBTQ community. The Program offers a safe environment and supportive services to help our young adults to move towards long term stability. This Program is under the NY/NY 15 population C agreement and funding is being provided through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for cultivating a safe and affirming living environment for formerly homeless, young adults, many living with a significant mental illness, and identifying as part of the LQBTQIA community.

• Provide consistent, high quality program service delivery to all clients populations in accordance with funder and regulatory requirements; best practices; BCS policies and Core Values; and Code of Conduct for Custodians of People with Special Needs. Serve as a role model to all stakeholders.

• Work directly with residents to enhance their daily living skills (i.e. includes but not limited to budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking meals independently, apartment organization/maintenance, entitlement support, personal hygiene, safely accessing public transportation, scheduling and attending appointments on time, etc.)

• Facilitate groups weekly to assist residents with acclimating to an independent living environment (i.e. medication management, substance abuse education, anger management, budgeting, employment preparation, cooking skills group, discount shopping/couponing, game night, etc.)

• Work in collaboration with case managers to aid consumers with achieving all goals identified in their Individualized Service Plan

• Facilitate individual session as applicable (i.e., ADL skills development, stress management, etc.) and document all sessions in progress notes within 24 hours

• Provide case management coverage in the event of program vaccines to preserve the quality of care of all residents

• Escort clients to appointments as needed (i.e. medical, psychiatric, Social Security Administration, Public Assistance, and Emergency Room, etc.)

• Refer and connect program residents to community resources to enhance their overall health and social support networks (i.e. youth social clubs, physical fitness centers, farmers market, etc.)

• Encouraged tenants to participate in recreational events in the community to increase consumer socialization skills

• Work with the social service team to ensure residents provide all necessary documentation to recertify apartment units and collaborate with property management to navigate all tenant apartment needs and repairs

• Participate in the facilitation other safety skills training

• Aid with coordinating resident move-ins and move-outs

• Attend all meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, and case conferences as assigned and required

• Provide support to community residents and church social programs

• Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications Required:

• BSW or BA in human services related field required, MSW preferred , experience with homeless, at-risk, or system involved LGBTQIA youth, experience serving youth living in supportive housing.

• Proven experience in clinical program implementation with either young adults, formerly homeless, or LGBTQIA community preferred.

• Must have strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong organizational, time-management, and technical skills to help young people make progress toward their goals

• Must have a propensity and willingness to learn, persevere, and think outside the box.

• The relational qualities of a successful specialist include:

• Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, youth development lens;

• Ability to relate to young people, engage them in conversation, and provide support and encouragement;

• Ability to form collaborative, working relationships with parents/families, school and agency staff;

• Consistent and reliable;

• Values and promotes diversity;

• Carries a belief that change is possible;

• Able to maintain healthy boundaries;

• Able to remain calm during moments of tension and stress.

TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

• Ability to troubleshoot, advocate, and navigate obstacles where there is not always a clear-cut pathway;

• Open to learning how to use and interpret data to inform decision-making.

• Ability to collaborate in team settings and build relationships with external partners;

• Ability to use trauma-informed techniques;

• Knowledgeable about community resources and services

• Must undergo pre-employment screenings such as the Criminal Background Check required by OMH

• Position requires direct face-to face-contact with consumers and the general public on an ongoing basis.

Members of the LGBTQIA community are strongly encouraged to apply

BCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities