Community Health Advocate_ 5212

BronxWorks helps individuals and families improve their economic and social well-being. From toddlers to seniors, we feed, shelter, teach, and support our neighbors to build a stronger community. In all aspects of our work, we strive for the highest ethical and performance standards and are guided by the belief that people are to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of their present situation or past experiences.

The Community Mental Health Ambassador (CMHA) will work with BronxWorks staff on the Mental Health Outreach for MotherS (MOMS) program. MOMS is a stress management program to help female-identifying caregivers living in shelter. The CMHA will be trained in the MOMS model. Some key responsibilities of the CMHA include:

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in onboarding and ongoing training in the MOMS Partnership model with Elevate Policy Lab and the other BronxWorks MOMS team members. Apply knowledge gained through training consistently throughout course delivery to maintain fidelity to the model.
• Co-facilitate weekly MOMS Stress Management Course – an evidence-based group mental health intervention – alongside BronxWorks shelter social workers. The course is delivered in English or Spanish to female-identifying caregivers residing in BronxWorks Family Shelters. On average, course cohorts include 10-12 participants and multiple cohorts run simultaneously.
• Collaborate with all BronxWorks Family Shelter social services staff to identify and recruit potential program participants for the MOMS Stress Management Course.
• Meet with potential program participants from BronxWorks family shelters and refer them to be screened for eligibility with a shelter social worker. If found eligible, hold one-on-one engagement sessions to enroll participants and prepare them for course participation.
• Maintain consistent communication with 24-40 program participants actively engaged in the MOMS Stress Management Course to support their course attendance, homework completion, and overall engagement in the program
• Aid program participants in identifying their individual and family goals beyond obtaining permanent housing such as education, employment, and childcare. Collaborate with the BronxWorks Family Shelter social services staff to support participants’ progress towards identified goals.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients and team members.
• Maintain clarity around shelter policies and procedures, to best advise program participants in getting their needs met.
• Maintain familiarity of community resources and events to effectively provide referrals to program participants supportive of their goals.
• Document all interactions with, or on behalf of, clients.
• Contribute ideas for enhancing and expanding services provided to clients and families through the MOMS Partnership program.
• Actively participate in bi-weekly supervision with your direct supervisor to support successful engagement in the program, manage complex client needs, and maximize efficiency in program delivery.
• Perform additional duties as assigned including administrative programmatic tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Education or higher preferred.
• Personal experiences with homelessness, particularly experience residing in a family shelter in New York City. Personal experiences navigating NYC public benefits systems are also relevant.
• Two or more years of work experience in a related field preferred.
• Interest in Mental Health service delivery preferred.
• Proficiency in modern business communications including personal computers, cell phones, electronic mail, voicemail, facsimile, and copier equipment.
• Strong preference will be given to candidates who are proficient in Spanish or French.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to use a computer for prolonged periods.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, or sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to bend and retrieve objects and/or documents.
• Ability to travel in the boroughs of New York City and its adjacent counties via public transportation.
• Ability to travel for a minimum of 1 mile within a reasonable amount of time and in all types of weather, including inclement weather, if required to conduct home visits and/or field work.

BronxWorks is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We consider qualified applicants without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants with disabilities and other legally protected needs. To request an accommodation during the application process, please contact hrbenefits@bronxworks.org