HTH Self Direction Intern

Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Adult Home Initiative, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT).

Program/Department Description: Self-Direction is a new, innovative pilot program designed to empower financial decision-making and recovery for people who experience mental health concerns. Through the program, participants identify wellness goals and how to budget for and purchase resources or services that are needed to reach those goals. Self-Direction assists participants with recovery action planning, budgeting, and managing funds. Each participant receives a budget that does not in any way impact benefits or entitlements. The goal of the program is to empower the recovery, wellness, and independence of individuals enrolled in Medicaid. The program will be monitored and evaluated by the Office of Mental Health to determine if the process of individual budgeting and self-determination in accessing community supports impacts health and wellness, use of Medicaid services, and overall participant satisfaction.

Internship Description:

The Self Direction Internship is an opportunity for an individual to learn and refine skills needed to provide direct support to individuals in the community. Interns will support Self Direction program by participating in informational sessions to teach potential participants about the program, assist participants with research on wellness resources, navigating insurance questions, complete purchases online, and ensure proper receipt collection.

Core Principles

The responsibilities of all interns extend to understanding and incorporating certain principles into their work and into their relationships and interactions with all colleagues. These principles are:

• Program participants’ right to self-determination;
• Respectful communication;
• Services that support recovery and healing consistent with and nurturing each participant’s cultural background, experience, identity, and values.
• Clear professional boundaries to support the limits and possibilities of services.

Internship requirements:

• Must be a current Howie the Harp student.
• Must be in-person (office or field work) for 60% of one’s weekly hours
• Have an understanding, appreciation and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
• Establish and maintain polite, professional and effective working relationships with all employees and external stakeholders during the performance of duties.
• Strong and clear oral and written communication skills.
• Creativity and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.

Area of Instruction

• Work with the Program Director to participate in regular in-person and virtual information sessions where you would assist potential participants in learning more about the program.
• Assists with the Self Direction waitlist and invites to informational sessions
• Work with the Resource Consultants to identify which participants could use additional support
• Support Participants with providing receipts for purchases and other documentation required
• Assist participants with research on resources that will assist them with their Recovery goals
• Assist participants with contacting insurance and other account representatives to understand eligibility and obtain documentation
• Assist participants with purchasing services or items online as needed
• Provide general follow-up contact with participants regarding goal progress
• Attend and participate in supervision, meetings, and training sessions, as required.
• Other tasks, as needed.