Consumer Advocate, Safe Options Support (SOS), Staten Island

ABOUT US: - We believe that everyone deserves a home!

Breaking Ground operates nearly 4,000 units of housing across New York City, along with housing in upstate New York and Connecticut. Supportive housing - affordable housing paired with services designed to help people maintain their homes for the long-term - is widely recognized as a proven and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness.

But we didn't stop at providing housing. Breaking Ground's programs and services help people experiencing street homelessness - especially those who have been on the streets the longest - to come indoors. Through our Street to Home outreach program and transitional housing resources, we help people get, and stay, on the path to a permanent home.

The Safe Options Support (SOS) program addresses the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness on the streets and in public transit locations by offering direct linkages to services that address their immediate needs and providing support during the transition from street homelessness to stable housing .

The project relies on consistent cross-system collaboration for data sharing, care plan coordinator, and accessing community-based resources.

Reporting to the Clinical Coordinator, Safe Options Support, the Consumer Advocate, Safe Options Support (SOS), works with people experiencing street homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Staten Island with the objective of engaging individuals to connect them to appropriate social and medical services and, ultimately, to help improve their overall health and wellbeing and secure appropriate housing solutions.

The Consumer Advocate, Safe Options Support, builds a relationship with clients utilizing motivational interviewing to encourage clients to work towards self-identified housing, health, and other goals. The Consumer Advocate spends most of the shift in the field either in an automobile and/or on foot conducting street outreach, accompanying clients to appointments, and following up on service referrals. The Consumer Advocate conducts assessments, engages clients in self-directed service planning, and enters all required data into required databases.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage with identified persons currently experiencing homelessness and living with chronic medical conditions in Staten Island

• Draw on lived experience of homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues to build rapport with clients and develop appropriate service connections

• Conduct required assessments

• Attend clinical supervision and training

• Maintain record keeping in compliance with agency standards as well as those of City and State agencies

• Collaborate with Parks Department, NYPD, DSNY, MTA, and other agencies

• Accompany clients to appointments and follow up on service referrals

• Perform other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent required

• Minimum 2 years of related experience

• Lived experience with homelessness, mental illness, substance use, and/or immigration issues, and willingness to appropriately use lived experience as a tool for building client rapport and developing service connection preferred

• Knowledge of local benefit agencies (e.g., Public Assistance) and familiarity with substance use, mental health, immigration, and employment resources

• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite programs including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams

• Valid NY, NJ, or CT driver’s license with a good driving record, as defined by Breaking Ground, is required

• Bilingual preferred

EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled