Safe Haven Residential Counselor; Mental Health Services

Provide support to and engage Safe Haven residents in a welcoming and comfortable setting, designed as a safe, low-demand alternative to the streets or shelters for people with significant histories of homelessness and psychiatric conditions, sometimes with substance misuse. Meet residents’ needs for privacy and safety and gradually encourage their participation in working on their self-defined needs for income/benefits, finding permanent housing, addressing health issues, and building social support.

Together with staff and residents, fosters a place of mutual respect, support, caring and collaboration; where safety, health, and learning are paramount and attaining permanent housing is the goal.

• Creates and maintains a culture of safety and welcome for residents of a Safe Haven transitional housing program.
• Maintains low demand, no/low barrier philosophy and culture within Safe Haven.
• Develops and enhances trusting relationships with residents. Skillfully and gently engage residents to learn from them about the barriers they’ve faced to their goals.
• Encourages collaboration, mutual support, respect, and social interaction between residents.
• Encourages and helps residents to assess their needs and wants and develop person-centered Individualized Action Plan to address them.
• Consistently offers, but does not require, residents to accept support and treatment services.
• Provides skills training and support to residents.
• Provides transportation to residents, as necessary.
• Assesses residents’ physical and emotional status, and report changes to Program Director.
• Maintains required records for residents, as assigned.
• Refers residents to community-based services for mental health, substance use, healthcare, income/benefits, housing, legal help, peer support, education, and job training.
• Provides support and coaching to clients to help them manage their medications as needed—consistent with their goals and preferences.
• Helps to provide requested/required information to the Department of Mental Health on the process and outcomes of Safe Haven services for residents.
• Helps orient new staff and residents.
• Participates in all mandated training and staff meetings.
• Helps maintain a safe, comfortable, and clean residence at all times. This may include general housekeeping, cooking, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and garbage removal.
• Supports adherence to all regulations and requirements; including Vinfen’s Safe Haven policies and procedures, safe work practices, workers’ compensation, universal precautions, and exposure control.
• Accesses on-call and complete incident documentation, as needed.
• Provides physical intervention and/or first aid in the event of medical emergency. Serves as a reporter to the Disabled Persons Protections Commission, if necessary.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

• Strong commitments to the right and ability of clients to live, work, have meaningful relationships and receive the resources and supports needed in their community
• Skills and competence to establish supportive trusting relationships with residents
• Knowledge of psychiatric rehabilitation values and principles
• Knowledge and use of engagement, empowerment, and advocacy techniques
• Knowledge and use of different communication styles
• Knowledge of participatory planning and consensus building techniques
• Knowledge of trauma informed, person centered and culturally competent services
• Knowledge of community resources available to clients including, but not limited to, medical and psychiatric care and substance use services
• Knowledge of tenant rights, subsidies, and resources available for housing
• Knowledge of safety and risk protocols
• Knowledge of employment services and supports
• Knowledge of psychiatric and medical medications
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques
• Sensitivity to cultural, religious, racial, disability, trauma, and gender issues
• Ability to demonstrate participatory, collaborative, and teaching skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Knowledge of required household management skills

Established in 1977, Vinfen is a nonprofit, health and human services organization and a…