Community Access was founded in 1974 to provide housing and support for people being discharged from psychiatric institutions. Today, we are one of the leading providers of supportive and affordable housing in New York City, and the originators of an integrated housing model which has become a best practice nationally: affordable housing where families live alongside people living with mental health concerns. Our staff work daily to support thousands of New Yorkers through supportive and affordable housing, peer-driven residential crisis support programs, training, advocacy, supported education, mobile treatment and other healing-focused services.
Program Description
The Residential Crisis Support program, or “The Respite,” is a residential mental health crisis, alternative-to-hospitalization program offering short-term Peer-led care in a friendly and supportive home-like environment. Guests are provided with the opportunity to learn and practice recovery and relapse prevention skills to support their current mental health crisis and to provide more effective tools to cope with future crises and avoid hospital-based care. Recovery-oriented services are provided 24-hours a day and include peer support, self-advocacy education and self-help training while supporting guests to maintain their established daily activities such as visiting with friends, attending a doctor or other appointments or going to work or school. Guests are encouraged to participate in the operations of the residence, including working together to prepare communal meals. The maximum length of stay is 28 days.
Position Overview
The Assistant Program Director (APD) is responsible for supporting the Program Director in the overall leadership, administration, and day-to-day operation of the RCS. This includes policy and procedure development and implementation, staff recruitment, scheduling, training, supervision and evaluation, management of the physical site, quality assurance and quality improvement activities, internal and external reporting and billing, and 24/7 on-call responsibilities as scheduled.
Key Performance Indicators
All key performance indicators below are expected to be met fully.
- Weekly supervision meetings are conducted and documented for all direct reports.
- Initial and annual evaluations are completed for direct reports on time.
- Screenings are conducted and admission decisions are made and documented within 24 hours of the referral.
- Progress notes, assessments, and service plans are completed on time.
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 – preferred.
- Previous professional experience providing mental health Peer Support – preferred.
- Must possess current NYS licensure as a LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or related licensure
- Minimum of two (2) years management experience working a social service or related setting, with people experiencing mental health concerns, and people struggling with substance use - preferred
- Strong administrative and organizational skills.
- A respect for, and high level of comfort around people experiencing psychiatric crisis.
- Must be fingerprinted and cleared by the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
- Ability to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving and de-escalation skills to assist with creating and maintaining an environment that promotes recovery.
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to utilize various computer programs and cloud-based data management platforms.
- Be creative and flexible.
- Show initiative and be responsible for follow through.
- Ability to maintain confidential information, as related to position.
- Bilingual, preferred.
- Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
- Available to workdays, evenings, overnights, weekends and cover holidays as assigned – required.
- Able to navigate several flights of stairs repeatedly during shift – required.
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
Skills Required
- Commitment to Community Access’s philosophy and mission
- Lived experience with the mental health system and willingness to share personal experience appropriately
- Professional experience providing mental health peer support
- Current New York State licensure as an LMSW, LCSW, LMHC, LMFT, or related license
- At least two years of management experience in a social service or related setting serving people with mental health concerns and substance use challenges
- Strong administrative and organizational skills
- Comfort working with people experiencing psychiatric crises
- Fingerprinting and clearance by the New York State Office of Mental Health
- Critical thinking, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills
- Demonstrated leadership and teamwork abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to use computer programs and cloud-based data management platforms
- Creativity, flexibility, initiative, and reliable follow-through
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Bilingual ability
- Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
- Availability for days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and assigned holidays
- Ability to repeatedly navigate several flights of stairs during a shift
What We Do
Community Access is a New York City nonprofit providing affordable and supportive housing and person-centered social services for people living with mental health concerns, including those affected by homelessness, trauma, discrimination, and substance use. Its programs include education and job training, crisis and wellness services, and advocacy. It advances human rights, social justice, and economic opportunity while helping people build stability and pursue personal goals.
