Community Support Counselor

Position Title: Community Support Counselor

Department: Supportive Housing & Community Support Services

Reports to: Supportive Housing & Community Support Services Manager

Essential Functions:

  • Provide case management to adults with mental health conditions living in Laurel House apartments and/or in apartments in the community owned and managed by other landlords.
  • Enhance the independent living skills of program participants to promote their personal well-being, self-sufficiency and integration in the community.
  • Integrate community support with other community-based supportive social services provided by Laurel House Resource Center staff such as Supported Employment, Supported Education, Thinking Well (cognitive remediation), and psychosocial skill building workshops.

Scope:

Provide individualized support and services to assist program participants in developing strengths, skills, and contacts with community resources. Demonstrate empathy, respect and consideration for the dignity and self-esteem of all participants, while providing skills training and support to promote independence and optimize quality of life.

Job Criteria

Position Responsibilities
  • Provide case management and/or assist in skill building to 15-20 individuals with mental health conditions and some of those with co-occurring disorders such as substance use disorder.
  • Develop an individualized Recovery Plan with each apartment tenant or community support client, directed at restoring participant functioning and achieving greater self-sufficiency in community activities and engagement in their local communities.
  • Provide independent living skills counseling, coaching, and assistance to participants in Laurel House’s Community Support programs in the following areas:
    • money management, budgeting, bill paying, banking;
    • benefits and related reporting requirements;
    • self-care and proactive scheduling and follow-through for medical appointments;
    • communication and coordination with treatment providers as needed;
    • learning basic responsibilities for upkeep of apartment or other living environment;
    • tenant interrelations and rights and responsibilities of community living;
    • promotion of self-advocacy and development of social skills (goal setting, problem solving, communication, etc.).
  • Create meaningful recovery plans; update and maintain records for program participants, including vital statistics with current contact information, service plans, reassessments, progress notes, and all other records and reports required by program funding sources, in both hard copy and electronic versions as required.
  • Provide outreach, support, and continuity of service in apartments and in the community.
  • Able to work in a community-based treatment program to provide rehabilitative community support, crisis intervention when needed, group and individual skill building and psychoeducation in the community and at Laurel House Resource Center and apartments.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and engage with program participants and other individuals with mental health conditions, co-occurring disorders and/or a history of homelessness.
  • Ability to advocate on behalf of individuals with mental health conditions and to empower them to exercise choice in pursuit of their goals for recovery.
  • Complies with policies, procedures and applicable regulatory guidelines such as HIPAA.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently and as a member of the team.
  • Degree in social work, mental health counseling, or human services preferred. MSW, LMSW or LCSW, a plus.
  • 1-2 years working in social services in the field of mental health.
  • Good oral and written communication skills.
  • Proficient in basic computer and telecommunication applications (e.g., email, text, Internet, Word, Excel, data entry).
  • Availability to work 1 evening per week Monday – Thursday (11:00 am – 7:00 pm) and Fridays are a six hour day (late coverage ends at 5:00). 1 day per week is work from home, as assigned on team coverage schedule,
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and have and maintain a safe driving record.

To apply for this position please send your cover letter and resume to coverlettersandresumes@laurelhouse.net

Laurel House, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that helps individuals and families achieve and sustain mental health to lead fulfilling lives in the community. Our core purpose is social inclusion, early intervention and recovery. Laurel House is an equal opportunity employer. Laurel House and www.rtor.org, a free service of Laurel House connecting families to expert mental health treatment, are committed to the advancement of social justice and racial equity, and to making mental health services accessible to all.