Certified Peer Navigator (2nd shift)

Title: Certified Peer Navigator (2nd Shift)
Unit: Behavioral Health
Reports to: Behavioral Health Field Supervisor
Status: Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt
Salary: $35.72 per hour (approximately $65,000 annually)
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Days/Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 12:00pm to 8:00pm

Organization Overview:
The Fortune Society, Inc. (Fortune) has been working for almost 60 years in service to our mission: to support successful reentry from incarceration and promote alternatives to incarceration, thus strengthening the fabric of our communities. The organization has evolved into one of the nations preeminent reentry and justice-informed service organizations, providing formerly incarcerated people with the skills and wrap-around services needed to break the cycle of crime and incarceration and to build productive lives in their communities.

Fortune has grown steadily over the years to an agency with over $100 million in annual budget with approximately 600 staff. We anticipate that we will keep growing, both in size and depth of service. Fortune has a dual mission: both advocacy and service. The advocacy portion of our mission focuses on building a more just criminal legal system and reducing the barriers to reentry into society. The service side of Fortune has evolved to encompass a broad range of programs that started with employment and education and now includes a robust array of services, among them: alternatives to incarceration, supervised release, court advocacy, discharge planning within correctional facilities, licensed outpatient substance use and mental health treatment, a housing continuum ranging from emergency and transitional through permanent congregate and scattered site housing, assistance in obtaining benefits, a care management unit, HIV services, a food and nutrition program, an arts program, lifetime aftercare, policy and advocacy through our David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy, and research through our Center for Research, Inquiry and Social Justice. Each service we provide is informed by the needs of the population we serve. Fortune currently serves approximately 20,000 people a year. Our program models are recognized, both nationally and internationally, for their quality and innovation. We have locations in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens.

Position Summary:
The Fortune Society, in partnership with Community Healthcare Network (CHN), will provide court and community-based, person-centered, voluntary support for individuals with unmet needs who are released back to the community following arraignment at Brooklyn Criminal Court on Schermerhorn, or from other Brooklyn court parts as requested by court stakeholders. This program will operate from Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM to accommodate both the heaviest court day parts and the after-hours periods when there are fewer resources available in the Brooklyn court area. The programs structure will require in-court collaboration between Fortunes court advocates, peer navigators, and court stakeholders, as well as a direct connection to the clinical professionals on the mobile medical unit (MMU), which will be operated by CHN. The Care Manager II will be an integral part of this initiative. This position will engage participants in initial screenings and assessments, identify medical, behavioral, and social determinants of health needs, make internal and external referrals, and follow-up on service engagement. The position also includes supervision of 1 – 2 peers. This position is 100% on site (no remote days) and is a growth position for the right candidate.

Master's Grads:
This is an excellent opportunity for new MSW graduates looking to enter the social services field and potentially move into Fortunes outpatient Treatment Service clinic or Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS) programs once licensure is received.

Core Competencies

Mission and Fit:
Embodies Fortunes mission, and will be an effective member of the team in furthering it. The candidate should exhibit compassion and understanding for our participants (wherever they are in their re-entry process) and embrace Fortunes core value that none of us should be measured against the worst things we have done.

Adaptability:
The ideal candidate will have proficiency in multitasking and thinking outside of the box as this position requires rapid needs analysis and immediate service connectivity.

Knowledge and Skills:
The ideal candidate will have a strong working knowledge of New York State Health Home Care Management policies and procedures and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment to assist with service connectivity for individuals with varied, and often competing, immediate needs. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the workings of Court Arraignment parts and be able to communicate effectively with legal entities.

Supervisory Support:
The ideal candidate will support on-site peer team members, offering guidance on next steps for participants as needed and ensuring documentation is completed appropriately and within the established timeframe.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Serve as a liaison between the participants, court stakeholders, and the CHN clinicians, working with the peers and MMU staff to ensure a seamless transition of care for individuals being seen on the unit;

- Manage complex cases, particularly in areas like psychiatric or substance use disorders, requiring more advanced problem-solving skills (HH+);

- Offer supportive services such as peer services, medication assistance/linkages to healthcare, housing screenings, and assistance with the HRA 2010e Supportive Housing Application;

- Check insurance status and, if needed, connect individuals to the NY State of Health Marketplace for additional assistance;

- Obtain baseline demographic information on or before the individuals arrive at the MMU and provide a real-time assessment of level of need in coordination with the onsite clinical staff;

- Supervise, mentor, and advise peer team members on appropriate next steps for the individuals being assessed; ensure all peer activity is accurately documented in a timely manner;

- Complete preliminary mental health assessments on-site and coordinate with Field Supervisor and/or MMU clinical team to determine the appropriate immediate level of care required;

- When appropriate, complete a detailed needs assessment to identify whether the individual requires additional supportive services such as medication assistance/linkage to ongoing healthcare, connections to detox or other rehabilitative services, food pantry assistance, or housing screenings, and ensure those connections/referrals are made;

- Ensure all relevant consent forms are completed and that follow-up appointments are provided to the individual prior to leaving the MMU;

- Ensure all services are delivered within the scope of best practices and document all relevant information in the appropriate computer systems accurately and in real time;

- Whenever possible, work in conjunction with the individual and peer, identify potential barriers to care and strategies for overcoming those barriers;

- Attend and participate in all necessary MMU meetings and associated trainings;

- Engage in his/her own ongoing professional development;

- May require occasional travel to our other sites across NYC for program oversight, partner meetings, trainings, etc.;

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

- Bachelors degree preferred, however candidates with a high school diploma or GED with at least 2 years of relevant experience in healthcare, social work, or mental health field will be considered. Candidates with strong college internship or field experience will also be considered;

- Ability to demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills through verbal and written correspondence;

- Ability to work independently with off-site supervision required;

- Proficiency in MS 365, working knowledge of MAPP, ePaces, PSYCKES a plus;

- Bilingual in Spanish a plus;

- Ability to perform additional responsibilities as needed.

We seek talented, dedicated individuals from all walks of life who possess a strong commitment to Fortunes mission. Relevant personal experience is a plus.

Physical Demands:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The responsibilities and requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensing, experience and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

The Fortune Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of conviction history, race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.