Employment
Mental Health Social Worker/ Recovery Specialist
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The HOPE (Homeless Outreach People Empowerment) Project is a Full Service Partnership. Funding for this project is provided, in-part, by the Mental Health Service Act (Prop 63). The HOPE Project outreaches to and engages homeless individuals and families in Southern and Eastern Alameda County. With the MHSA funding, an additional 40 adults, who have psychiatric disabilities, will receive intensive case management, psychiatric services, and housing. The HOPE Project has an in-house Psychiatric team who can diagnosis, prescribe medication, and help with medication management and education. The HOPE Project supportive housing services are voluntary, intensive (caseloads of 8-12 people), and will provide 24/7 crisis access to participants. The HOPE Project is committed to “doing whatever it takes” and utilizing the creativity of an integrated service team.
*** This position fulfills requirements for students who are receiving the Prop. 63 stipend.
*** Clinical Supervision Provided
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
- MSW degree from an accredited university OR CAADAC Certificate and Bachelors degree in social work or related field required.
- Must possess 1 year of field experience working with people who have psychiatric disabilities, individuals with a dual diagnosis and/or the homeless population.
- Experience conducting street outreach a plus.
- Must have a working knowledge of Psychiatric Disorders. Knowledge and ability to implement the following evidence-based models; Harm Reduction, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, and Motivational Interviewing.
- Ability to build supportive and respectful working relationships with individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities.
- Proven ability to work independently, as well as, an effective member of a team.
- A working knowledge of Alameda County resources including benefits, mental health providers, drug and alcohol programs, shelters, etc.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Understanding and practice of culturally sensitive components of direct service delivery through open dialogs and self-exploration with diverse group.
- Ability to effectively intervene in crisis situations using de-escalation techniques.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including some weekends and evenings.
- Bilingual a plus.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES/ RESPONSIBILITES
- Provide direct crisis counseling and problem identification. Work with team to connect participants with ongoing mental health services including mental health evaluation, medication monitoring, consultation and clinical case management for participants with psychiatric disabilities.
- Provide individual counseling and facilitate psycho-educational, support, social and WRAP groups.
- Provide Substance Recovery and Harm Reduction groups as well as individual counseling to participants in permanent supportive housing through the HOPE Full Service Partnership.
- Utilize motivational interviewing techniques to explore participants’ substance abuse, encourage reduction and/or provide support to clients moving towards abstinence.
- Identify, engage, and outreach to possible supportive housing candidates. Provide initial intakes and on-going case management services as participants’ progress from streets to stable housing. Assist in the assessment and referral process to supportive housing and psychiatric services.
- As a service coordinator, maintain a case load of 8-12 participants. Provide wrap around case management services to individuals who have been diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities residing in permanent supportive housing.
- Assist HOPE participants with establishing goals and strategies for increasing self-sufficiency. Assist participants with accessing public benefits (i.e. General Assistance, Food Stamps, and SSI). Provide referrals to appropriate community agencies.
- Outreach to and develop professional relationships with other agencies.
- Responsible for gathering and compiling client/service/outreach data.
- Provide 24-hour on-call crisis intervention coverage on a rotating basis.
- Assist HOPE Program Manager and as needed.
To Apply for this position contact : Kara Carnahan at kcarnahan@tricityhomeless.org
or by calling (510) 742-3904 ext. 208
Tri-City Homeless Coalition (TCHC), an equal opportunity employer, is a community based organization founded 1988. Services include support services to families as well as adults without children. Emergency shelter, meals, public assistance and housing advocacy, information and referral, employment counseling and general assistance.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace.