Full Time
Who We Are: CAMBA is a community of staff, volunteers, clients, donors, neighbors and partners who work together to build an inclusive New York City, where all children and adults have access to the resources and supports they need to thrive. We take a comprehensive approach by offering more than 160 integrated programs in: Education & Youth Development, Family Support, Job Training & Employment Support Services, Health, Housing, and Legal Services. We reach more than 65,000 individuals and families each year at our 90 locations, including 10,000 youth. CAMBA serves a diverse cross section of New Yorkers from new mothers in Brownsville to job seekers in the Rockaways. More than half of our clients are immigrants and refugees from around the globe. Over 85% of our families are in living in poverty, reflecting the challenges faced by nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers today.
CAMBA GARDENS Phase I is a 209 unit supportive/affordable housing development located in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. CAMBA Housing Ventures (CHV), the housing development subsidiary of CAMBA, developed these units. 146 of these units are set aside for formerly homeless individuals and families. 117 units are for Population I individuals, chronically homeless single adults who suffer from Serious and Persistent Mental Illness or who have a co-occurring Mental Illness and Chemical Addiction (MICA). 15 units are for Population III individuals, chronically homeless single adults who have a substance abuse disorder that is the barrier to independent living and who also have a disabling clinical condition. 14 units are for Population V chronically homeless families, in which the head of household suffers from a substance abuse disorder, a disabling medical condition or HIV/AIDS. CAMBA provides on-site case management and supportive services in addition to 24/7 security.
Position: Case Worker; Substance Abuse/MICA Specialist
Reports To: Program Manager
Location: 690-738 Albany Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11203
What the Case Worker; Substance Abuse/MICA Specialist Does:
- Review all documentation establishing tenants’ eligibility for program and make file copies.
- Create and maintain tenant files.
- Conduct initial intake and assessment of tenants and tenants’ families’ needs and periodic re-assessments.
- In collaboration with tenants, prepare initial and periodic revisions of independent living plans including short-term and long-term tenant goals.
- Assist tenants in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources for tenants and by making referrals to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
- Work with tenants to break through barriers to tenant goals and to assist tenants in advocating for themselves and in moving toward self-sufficiency.
- Recommend and implement strategies to persuade tenants to participate more fully in this process.
- Monitor tenants’ progress toward their goals via regularly scheduled telephone contact and/or face-to-face visits, and document via progress notes.
- Participate in case conferences.
- Follow-up with tenants and with referral organizations regarding tenant contact and progress with referral organization.
- Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
- May recommend closing of cases in which tenants have: (a) achieved primary goals and have maintained stability for a period of months; or, (b) have not demonstrated a willingness to participate in the process (lost-to-service); or, (c) have become ineligible for services (e.g. moved out of building).
- May act as tenant liaison/tenant advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
- May schedule appointments for tenant with referral organizations.
- May escort tenants to appointments (educational, medical, social service, etc.)
- May assist tenants in completing applications for benefits and entitlements, and may process applications on tenants’ behalf.
- May follow-up with tenants for a period of time after successful completion of their primary goals to assure tenant stability.
- May evaluate actual living conditions of tenants through home visits.
- May prepare marketing materials for the program.
Minimum Education/Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree (e. g., B.A., B.S.W.) and experience working with the Seriously and Persistently Mentally Ill (SPMI) population, and/or equivalent experience.
Other Requirements:
- Flexible hours may be needed occasionally to provide shift coverage until 8 pm.
- Must sign NYC DOH/MH attestation stating that candidate has not been the subject of a founded child abuse report.
Compensation: -$40,000-$45,000 annually-
Status: –Full-time (35 hours per week)-
Benefits: CAMBA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental insurance, 403(b) retirement plan with employer match, paid time off (vacation, personal, and sick time), and paid holidays.