Housing Program Director, LMSW

Introduction/Program Description: The mission of Housing Plus is to provide community-based

housing and comprehensive services to women and gender expansive people, including people

with children, to support them in overcoming poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma and

the effects of incarceration, in order to build lives of stability, and to define and realize goals for

themselves and their families. Since our beginning in 2002, Housing Plus has worked to address

the lack of housing and services for women who have historically been underserved and

marginalized, especially women impacted by the criminal legal system.

HousingPlus leads Justice Works, a consortium of four

organizations currently providing 59 units (to be increased to 140 in the near future) of

transitional housing and supportive services to women and transgender and gender

nonconforming (TGNC) individuals who are justice-involved. Justice Works uniquely emphasizes

investing in people through building community and connecting to resources to thrive and heal.

SHEROJustice Works helps participants successfully resolve their open court cases, provides

needed support services, and supports moves from transitional housing into stable permanent

housing in the community. We collaborate with a diverse group of referring agencies to identify

women and TGNC people with criminal legal history, particularly identifying those whose

homelessness or unstable housing situations increase their likelihood of incarceration.

In addition to providing administrative oversight of Justice Works, HousingPlus operates

Liberty House, providing 22 of the project’s transitional housing units, two of which are for

families. By Fall 2022, Liberty House will increase to 49 units, with five being for families. The

Liberty House model is a flexible, low threshold, gender responsive approach, committed to

housing first, trauma-informed care and harm reduction. The units are currently in East New

York, but the single units will be moved to Harlem this year.

Purpose of Position: The Program Director is responsible for daily administrative and clinical

oversight of Liberty House, including staff supervision, collaboration with partners,

communication with participants and other stakeholders, data collection and reporting, and

budget management. With assistance of the Director of Social Services the Program Director

will lead the team a full range of programmatic services that includes recreational, and housing

focused activities. The Liberty House Program Director reports to the Senior Director of Justice

Works

Responsibilities:

• Manage the admirative daily functioning of the program, which includes direct supervision of one Peer Navigator, and a Senior Residential Aide.
• Manage collaborations with the on-site mental health nurse practitioner, Director of Social Services, volunteers, and other on-site services brought in.
• Receive referrals from Justice Works intake team. Review materials and respond in the required timeframe. Review and accept emergency placements as required.
• Participate in intake/admission meetings of new participants.
• Ensure the team develops an integrated service plan with each participant that supports and facilitates stability.
• Design program and activities schedule for residents, including House/Community Meetings.
• Ensure quality service provision including the utilization of evidenced based practices for person centered services.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Ensure all incident reporting and follow up is done thoroughly and in a timely manner.
• Conduct regular team meetings and hold case conferences when needed and as required.
• Participate in the overall security and maintenance of the program, assuring a safe and healthy environment, according to HP and other regulatory guidelines.
• With direction from the Senior Director of Justice Works, help assure adherence to contract budgets and provide support with completion of contract renewals as needed.
• Coordinate staff orientation and provide coaching and training, including implementation of in-service training to staff, as needed.
• Actively participate in Justice Works meetings with partners, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Establish liaisons with appropriate community agencies to maintain linkages for services required by program residents to include medical, behavioral health, and others as required.
• Represent the agency at meetings, conferences, and public hearings to gain and share information relevant to the program’s operation.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• LMSW/LCSW, LMHC, or other relevant graduate degree is required.
• 4+ years managing transitional or supportive housing required.
• Experience working with people with significant trauma is required; experience working
• directly with women who are formerly incarcerated is strongly preferred.
• Strong clinical skills and management/supervisory experience required.
• Meaningful commitment to housing first, harm reduction, and trauma-informed care.
• High level of self-awareness and ability to give and receive feedback well.
• Excellent judgement and ability to handle crises effectively.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office; knowledge of AWARDS a plus.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred.
• People directly impacted by the criminal legal system highly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Commuter Benefits
• 403(b) Retirement Plan and Matching Program
• Supplemental Insurance
• Access to discounted entertainment benefits