NYAPRS Note: NYAPRS was very pleased to suggest and successfully advocate for a $5 million allocation in the state budget to create peer bridger initiatives aimed at supporting adult home residents with mental health conditions to successfully move into supported housing in the NYC area. The project emerged from a NYS class action settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, NYS and NYC disability rights groups and private plaintiffs living with mental health conditions who reside in impacted New York City Adult Homes.
Contracts were awarded to 2 NYC mental health agencies, Baltic Street AEH and Community Access, to hire, train, deploy and supervise upwards of 60 new FT peer bridger positions.
The initiative will provide peer supports during the in-reach, assessment, HRA approval, and moving transition phases, as desired and needed by the residents. The initiative will utilize a range of individualized and group-based peer-informed strategies to promote housing transitions, striving to empower class members through exposure to possibilities, development of self-advocacy skills, promoting informed choice, and enhancing community engagement (per Community Access).
See below for how to apply to these agencies to work in these pioneering initiatives!
Baltic Street AEH Adult Home Peer Bridger Project Job Postings
Regional Supervisor
Salary: $50,000 – $55,000 (Varies upon experience)
Requirements: Minimum of three years’ experience managing/supervising peers; must have a GED or academic High School diploma; college degree in related field preferred; must either have APS certification or obtain it within 3 months of being hired; Must pass a criminal history background check.
Project Manager
Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 (Varies upon experience)
Essential Functions: oversee the effective day-to-day operations of the program sites; provide linkages, referrals and care coordination with other services such as mental health, education, medical, social and financial services; facilitate team meetings on a regular basis; submit accurate and timely administrative reports
Requirements: Minimum of five years’ experience managing/supervising peers; Bachelor’s Degree in related field; Master’s degree preferred; must have a Driver’s license.
Peer Bridger
Salary: $36,000 – $40,000 (Varies upon experience)
Essential Functions: provides one-on-one and/or group support and continued short-term-support services following relocation; complete detailed written record of activities in a timely and accurate manner; teach community adjustment and wellness self-management skills.
Requirements: Have at least one year experience working as a peer; must have a GED or academic High School diploma; college degree in related field preferred; are New York State Certified Peer Specialists – or must be certified within 6 months of hiring.
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume and wage requirements to:
Shana Williams, Director of Human Resources
Baltic Street AEH, Inc
9201 4th Avenue – 5th floor
Brooklyn, New York 11209
swilliams@balticstreet.org
Phone: (718) 833-5929
Fax: (718) 833-5930
Community Access
Peer Advocate
The Peer Advocate works to develop mentoring and supportive relationship with NYC Adult Home Residents, promoting connection and hope in an independent future in Supported Housing. The Peer Advocate engages residents in peer-based services to identify and overcome barriers to housing transition, addressing questions and fears, while building self-advocacy and systems-navigation skills. The job responsibilities of all staff extend to understanding and incorporating certain principles into their work and into their relationships with program participants.
Senior Peer Advocate
The Senior Peer Advocate works to develop mentoring and supportive relationships with NYC Adult Home Residents, promoting connection and hope in the transition to Supported Housing. The Senior Peer Advocate is a team leader who utilizes their lived experience to support the Peer Advocates and Adult Home teams to engage and assist residents in identifying and overcoming barriers to housing transition, addressing questions and fears, and building self-advocacy and systems-navigation skills.
Director of Adult Home Initiative
The Director is responsible for the overall operation of the AHI, working with the Director of Peer Informed Practice and other leadership staff in initiative start-up activities. Key ongoing responsibilities include oversight and supervision of Regional Coordinators, and Peer Advocate teams, development and refinement of policies and procedures advancing the initiative’s objectives, management of budgeting and fiscal resources, coordinating with the AHI partner initiative at Baltic Street, establishing productive and collaborative relationships with pertinent AHI stake holders including: Adult Home and Supported Housing administrators and staff, Care Management Agencies, assessors, HRA , OMH, and Independent Reviewers. The Director ensures full contractual compliance. The job responsibilities of all staff extend to understanding and incorporating certain principles into their work and into their relationships with program participants.
The Regional Coordinator
The Regional Coordinator is responsible for the effective planning and delivery of the AHI peer support and advocacy services, providing supervision and team building to the Peer Advocate teams. The Regional Coordinator collaborates with the AHI Director in the development and implementation of policies, practices, and procedures to advance the initiative’s goals, and assists in the management of fiscal resources and the establishment of productive and positive collaborative relationships with the array of AHI stakeholders and partners including Adult Home operators, Housing Contractors, Care Management Agencies, OMH representatives, Independent Reviewers, and other partner organizations.
Bilingual Spanish-speaking candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs.