Community Access was founded in 1974 to provide housing and support for people being discharged from psychiatric institutions. Today, we are one of the leading providers of supportive and affordable housing in New York City, and the originators of an integrated housing model which has become a best practice nationally: affordable housing where families live alongside people living with mental health concerns. Our staff work daily to support thousands of New Yorkers through supportive and affordable housing, peer-driven residential crisis support programs, training, advocacy, supported education, mobile treatment and other healing-focused services.
Program/Department Description
The Residential Crisis Support program, or “The Respite,” is a residential mental health crisis, alternative-to-hospitalization program offering short-term Peer-led care in a friendly and supportive home-like environment.
Guests are provided with the opportunity to learn and practice recovery and relapse prevention skills to support their current mental health crisis and to provide more effective tools to cope with future crises and avoid hospital-based care.
Recovery-oriented services are provided 24-hours a day and include peer support, self-advocacy education and self-help training while supporting guests to maintain their established daily activities such as visiting with friends, attending a doctor or other appointments or going to work or school.
Guests are encouraged to participate in the operations of the residence, including working together to prepare communal meals.
The maximum length of stay is 28 days.
Community Access’s OMH licensed Intensive Crisis Residence (ICR) is inspired by the Soteria model and is designed as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for people going through an acute psychiatric crisis and who would benefit from a respite period in a stabilizing, home-like environment with 24-hour peer support and treatment services.
The Soteria ICR will work with guests for up to 28 days to help them develop awareness and skills that will allow them to return to the community with an increased ability to manage their mental health concerns.
The ICR will follow a Soteria model which emphasizes shared running of a home-like environment, positive expectations of recovery, validation of subjective experiences, the concept of “being with” a person, providing 1:1 support, 24 hours a day, and self-determination.
Services are completely voluntary, and guests are encouraged to maintain their daily responsibilities and activities in the community during their stay including work, school, family care, recreation, and wellness appointments.
The program works with guests throughout their stay on discharge planning focused on safety and wellness, and provides post-discharge follow up health resource navigation support.
Position Overview
The Peer Health Navigator’s primary focus is connecting Respite or ICR guests to community resources that can help support them as they move through the crisis and return to their lives in the community. This is a key part of successful discharge planning as it will help guests forge and sustain connections to a variety of professional and community-based supports. These peer navigation services would continue for 90 days after discharge to ensure successful crisis resolution and stability upon their return to the community.
Key Performance Indicators
All guests are offered Peer Health Navigation Services.
All progress notes will be entered into AWARDS within 48 hours of meetings.
Job Qualifications
Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access.
New York State Peer Certification, required (or attained within the first year of employment).
High School Diploma or equivalent, required. Bachelors Degree, preferred.
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
Strong analytical ability.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Be creative and flexible.
Ability to utilize various computer programs including Microsoft Word, Excel, and cloud-based data management platforms like an electronic health record and HR systems.
Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs [http://www.communityaccess.org/jobs].
Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.
Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as
having a personal experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org [http://www.communityaccess.org/]
