Outreach and Engagement Specialist-Direct Rep Payee - Yonkers, NY

The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) is a community-based not-for-profit committed to recovery-focused mental health services through advocacy, community education and direct services.  We are recognized as the leader in Westchester in providing person-centered services that involve collaborating with each individual to achieve his or her goals.   

MHA facilitates recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaborative work. Our highly trained staff utilize evidence-based practices throughout our comprehensive array of trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services.  

Through our robust services, as well as our advocacy programs and community events, MHA is able to meet the needs of thousands of adults, children and families each year, helping them live independent lives in the community.

Join our Team! We have an exciting new opportunity for an “Outreach and Engagement Specialist-Direct Rep Payee” in our Yonkers Clinic located in Yonkers, NY.

SUMMARY of DUTIES
Outreach and engagement services are essential services offered to individuals in need of immediate assistance. Individuals can be seen by an outreach specialist in the community or at any of MHA’s offices who will assess their needs and immediately respond to them in order to connect them to or re-engage them successfully with services. Outreach and engagement services can be made accessed for adults, children or families.

Outreach and engagement specialists help identify and break down barriers to services, which may include, but not be limited to, referral assistance, help with insurance benefits and coverage, application processes and filing, and transportation. Outreach and engagement services are intended to engage and/or assess individuals potentially in need of mental health services. Outreach and engagement services are not crisis services. However, the specialist will provide services such as socialization, recreation, light meals, and provision of information about mental health and social services.

Service includes off-site, community-based assessment and screening services. These services can be provided at forensic sites, a mental health site, client’s home, other residential settings, including homeless shelters, and the streets. The Specialist will support recovery by providing services that reflect our deeply held values that include the recognition of individual rights of self-determination, choice, shared decision-making and collaboration. Additionally, the outreach and engagement specialist pairs selected individuals receiving representative payee services from MHA with a peer who can walk them through the mechanics of managing their own income. The goal of this program is increased self-sufficiency and “graduation” from the rep payee services. If and when needed, DCMH’s Recipient Affairs Specialist will provide technical assistance around the administration of this program.

SPECIFIC DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES
The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will employ the principles of Peer Support and have experience providing interventions to individuals with behavioral health conditions to fulfill the following:

1.   Connect individuals with appropriate services, respect rights of self-determination and choice.
2.   Work collaboratively, identify community services that support recovery and help establish connections to those services.
3.   Conduct outreach presentations and recruitment at community forums/ events, schools, local churches, collaborative partner organizations and facilities, and street outreach.
4.   Document client interactions in electronic health record to maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures.
5.   Facilitate, manage and maintain responsibilities associated with being a Rep-Payee for clients assigned.
6.   Collaborate with internal cross-functional teams to share best practices, highlight bright spots and keep staff connected with key initiatives and activities.
7.   Follow the established agency/program policies & procedures.
8.   Maintain appropriate professional standards.
9.   Participate in agency training programs.
10.   Other designated or related duties.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS
1.   Experience providing direct service and intervention to individuals with behavioral health needs such as substance abuse and/or mental health challenges.
2.   Knowledge of the common challenges associated with homelessness, substance use, mental health conditions.
3.   Working familiarity with community resources, including entitlement programs, medical, legal services, housing, food pantry, and behavioral health treatment and rehabilitation services.
4.   Understand the impact of culture on behavioral health conditions and be able to effectively engage clients in culturally sensitive manner.
5.   Must be able to perform duties in an independent and efficient manner.
6.   Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system.
7.   Expected to practice in a recovery oriented, person–centered manner.

QUALIFICATIONS
1.   The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will have training in Peer Support services – certification as a Peer Support Counselor or Certified Recovery Peer Advocate is strongly preferred.
2.   The Outreach and Engagement Specialist will have at least two years of experience working in this field.
3.   Basic Computer knowledge and ability to document in an electronic health record is required.
4.   Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
5.   Must have a valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier.
6.   Must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification.
7.   Must be cleared NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.
8.   Must be cleared by the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs Staff Exclusion List (SEL) and the New York State Medicaid Exclusion List.
9.   Must be cleared by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
10.   Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

MHA of Westchester is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion and values the ways in which we are different. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other characteristic protected by the applicable law.

To apply, please send your cover letter and résumé by e-mail to employment@mhawestchester.org with “Outreach and Engagement Specialist” as the subject line of the e-mail. Thank you.