Founded in 1974, Community Access continues to uphold and operate as a pioneer of supportive housing and social services in NYC for people with mental health concerns. We proudly lead advocacy efforts that rally our community to promote human rights, social justice, and economic opportunities for all. We are built upon the simple truth that people are experts in their own lives. Our programs are spread across 25 locations and include over 1200 units of supportive housing in three boroughs, the Howie the Harp Advocacy Center, Peer-driven Crisis Respite Center, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and the Intensive Mobile Team (IMT). 

Program Description

Community Access’s OMH licensed Intensive Crisis Residence (ICR) is inspired by the Soteria model and is designed as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for people going through an acute psychiatric crisis and who would benefit from a respite period in a stabilizing, home-like environment with 24-hour peer support and treatment services. The Soteria ICR will work with guests for up to 28 days to help them develop awareness and skills that will allow them to return to the community with an increased ability to manage their mental health concerns. The ICR will follow a Soteria model which emphasizes shared running of a home-like environment, positive expectations of recovery, validation of subjective experiences, the concept of “being with” a person, providing 1:1 support, 24 hours a day, and self-determination. Services are completely voluntary, and guests are encouraged to maintain their daily responsibilities and activities in the community during their stay including work, school, family care, recreation, and wellness appointments. The program works with guests throughout their stay on discharge planning focused on safety and wellness, and provides post-discharge follow up health resource navigation support. 

Position Overview

The Peer Respite Worker develops mentoring and supportive relationships with ICR guests, promoting connection and hope, and utilizing the stabilizing routines of the home-like environment to deescalate crisis and promote recovery-oriented practices. The Peer Respite Worker engages guests in individual and group-based peer support services to identify and develop crisis-management skills, addressing questions and fears, while building self-advocacy and systems-navigation skills. The Peer Respite Workers collaborate with the full ICR team to promote a welcoming, home-like atmosphere, and conduct group activities that foster connection, mutual understanding, and wellness. 

Key Performance Indicators

• Assigned guests will have at least one progress note per day demonstrating appropriate, service goal-driven peer support. 
• All progress notes are written and entered into AWARDS within 48 hours of the meeting.
• Service Plans for assigned guests completed within 24 hours of admission.

Job Qualifications

• Have an understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the philosophy and mission of Community Access
• Have lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately and respectfully.
• Ability to be mindfully present and have a respect for, and a high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including empathic listening, responding.
• Commitment to recovery orientated practice and the ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
• Resourceful and knowledgeable of community resource and services.
• Graduate of core peer specialist training program and willingness to participate in/successful completion of all required training, with ability to integrate skills, knowledge and approach into work with guests
• Acquisition of NYS Peer Certification, at least at Provisional level within 90days of hire (preferably attained) with a commitment to achieve permanent certification within one year of hire.
• Desirable to have work experience in a behavioral health or related setting, preferably using the recovery model.
• Minimum of high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
• Bilingual Spanish-speaking, preferred. Ability to speak other relevant languages is a strong asset.
• Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to set priorities and manage multiple and competing tasks.
• Be creative and flexible, show initiative, and be responsible for follow through
• Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
• Ability to walk up several flights of stairs.
• Ability to work in the field (using public transportation).
• Computer proficiency in Windows operating systems and programs, such as MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as comfort with learning new electronic systems.
• Available to work evening, night, weekends and cover holidays as assigned

Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidates should apply on www.communityaccess.org/jobs.

Community Access is an Equal Opportunity Employer. M/F/D/V.

Women, People of Color and Members of the LGBT community are strongly encouraged to apply.

We are dedicated to a workforce where at least 51% of our employees identify as having a personal 

experience using mental health services. www.communityaccess.org