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.
The Supportive Counseling Family Stabilization Program (SCG) provides supportive, clinical, and low-threshold case management services to 100 persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and their families. The primary goal is to provide support, stability, and reduce stressors, to ensure that our clients have access to and successfully maintain their connection to primary health care. The program’s core services include: 1.) weekly support groups to assist clients with developing ways of coping, reducing stress, building social and peer support, and relationship skills; 2.) individual supportive counseling on topics such as; HIV disclosure to partners and family members, harm reduction skills building, and treatment adherence; 3) family counseling on topics that include improving communication, developing and strengthening relationships, and increasing safer sex practices; and 4) low-threshold case management services to assist clients in reducing barriers to care, to coordinate care with other providers, and to access support services for immigrant clients. The main goal of SCF is to ensure that clients access and maintain connection with HIV primary care and necessary supportive services. To ensure that our clients reach their service plan goals our Counselors and Client Advocate/Peer Educator are available to accompany clients to their primary care and other service appointments.
Position: Counselor
Reports To: Program Manager
Location: 19 Winthrop Street, Brooklyn, NY 11225
What the Counselor Does:
- Persuade referred clients to schedule initial appointment with Counselor.
- Review all documentation establishing clients’ eligibility for program.
- Assist clients in completing all CAMBA intake applications and forms.
- Create and maintain client files and make file copies.
- Conduct initial assessment of clients and/or clients’ families.
- Consult with others both inside and outside of CAMBA to determine causes of client problems and effect solutions.
- With clients’ and/or client families’ agreement, arrange for medical, psychiatric, educational and other tests and examinations that may disclose causes of client difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
- Assist clients’ and their families’ to alter their attitudes and behaviors that cause or aggravate problems.
- Assist clients in attaining their goals by identifying and locating community resources for clients and by making referrals to appropriate services both within and outside CAMBA.
- Follow-up with clients and with referral organizations regarding client contact and progress with referral organization.
- Lead group counseling sessions to assist individuals to identify and understand the impact of risky lifestyle behaviors and issues related to HIV, sexual health, behaviors, and practices.
- Monitor clients’ progress toward their goals (dates achieved) via regularly scheduled telephone contact and/or face-to-face home and office visits, and document via progress notes.
- Periodically reassess clients and update services plans and goals to reflect current status.
- Provide all required information for weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
- Follow-up with clients for a period of time after successful completion of their primary goals to assure client stability.
- Recommend closing of cases in which clients 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 area).
- Conduct Quality Assurance of client’s charts.
- Input client data and client progress information into automated database.
- May, in collaboration with clients, prepare initial service plans, including short-term and long-term client goals.
- May act as client liaison/client advocate with outside organizations regarding such matters as education, healthcare, housing, legal issues, etc.
- May reach out and market the program to the community in order to recruit clients.
Minimum Education/Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A., B.S.W.) in social work, psychology, or a related field and three years of applicable experience and/or equivalent experience.
- Bilingual Spanish required
Other Requirements:
- Knowledge about, understanding of, and ability to work closely with, persons with HIV/AIDS and related issues.
- Highly motivated and works collaboratively in a team environment.
- Ability to work with people from many different racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Experience with HIV prevention and counseling is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability in group facilitation and individual counseling is strongly preferred.
- Understanding of issues impacting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families.
Compensation: $44,000-$46,000 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.