Social Worker, Eviction Diversion Initiative

THE ORGANIZATION

The Center for Justice Innovation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing community safety and racial justice. Since 1996, we’ve worked alongside communities, courts, and those most directly affected by the justice system to build stronger, healthier, and more equitable neighborhoods. With a team of over 900 staff and an annual budget of $130 million, the Center carries out its mission through three core strategies:

Backed by decades of on-the-ground experience and nationally recognized expertise, we bring innovative, practical, and lasting solutions to justice systems nationwide. Learn more about our work ovatingjustice.org.

The Center for Justice Innovation seeks a Social Worker for the Eviction Diversion Initiative (EDI) to support tenants and residents experiencing housing instability in Brooklyn Housing Court. EDI operates in Housing Courts across New York City, Long Island and in Upstate New York, working to prevent eviction and mitigate the harm of housing instability by connecting individuals and families to legal, housing, and social service resources while partnering closely with courts and community providers.

The EDI Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical support to tenants facing eviction, with particular attention to individuals experiencing complex trauma, mental health challenges, and other acute challenges related to housing instability. EDI recognizes eviction and housing insecurity as traumatic events and seeks to implement trauma-informed, harm-reduction approaches that promote dignity, health, and long-term housing stability.

Reporting to the Brooklyn EDI Project Manager, the Social Worker will provide short-term clinical interventions, crisis support, and ongoing care coordination, while collaborating closely with Navigators, court partners, and community service providers.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Clinical Support:
  Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based clinical support to tenants facing eviction, housing instability, or displacement;
• Conduct psychosocial and mental health assessments and identify safety concerns, trauma history, and barriers to housing stability;
• Deliver short-term counseling, crisis intervention, emotional support, and stabilization services;
• Support individuals with complex needs (e.g., serious mental health challenges, substance use, histories of incarceration or homelessness) using harm-reduction, person-centered approaches; and
• Develop and implement individualized stabilization and support plans with clients and partners.

• Care Coordination/
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Coordinate referrals to mental health, behavioral health, case management, and social service providers;
• Assist clients in navigating public benefits, health insurance, housing vouchers, and subsidized housing requirements;
• Work with tenants, housing providers, and benefits administrators to support lease compliance, tenancy stabilization, and eviction prevention;
• Collaborate with EDI Navigators, court partners, and service providers to integrate clinical insights into legal and housing strategies; and
• Participate in case conferences, multidisciplinary meetings, and court-based problem-solving efforts; provide trauma-informed guidance to staff as needed.

• Program Support & Administrative Duties:
  Support implementation of trauma-informed policies and practices across Brooklyn EDI operations;
• Assist with development of tools, protocols, and trainings related to trauma-informed care and staff wellness;
• Maintain timely, accurate documentation of assessments, services, referrals, and outcomes in case management systems;
• Support data collection and reporting related to service utilization, housing outcomes, and client well-being;
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality, mandated reporting, and ethical standards; participate in supervision and professional development; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.