Substance Abuse Counselor

Company Description

Background

Since 1976, St. Joseph Center has been meeting the needs of low-income and homeless individuals and families in Venice, Santa Monica, Mar Vista, and surrounding communities.  The Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization that assists people without regard for religious affiliation or lack thereof through comprehensive case management and integrated social service programs.  The Center enjoys broad-based community support as well as a sponsored relationship with its founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.  St. Joseph Center serves approximately 6,000 individuals annually.

Brief Description of Principal Activities

Multifaceted intervention, prevention, and education services are carried out at four sites on the Westside of Los Angeles.  St. Joseph Center’s integrated programs provide clients with concentrated and coordinated access to services according to the nature of their needs.

St. Joseph Center (SJC) is a nonprofit organization and is the leading housing and supportive services provider on the Westside of Los Angeles.  For nearly five decades, our mission has been to end homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles.  We work at the intersection of housing, economic mobility and social justice. We provide comprehensive housing services, outreach, food assistance, mental health support, and workforce development to over 15,000 low-income individuals, youth, and families each year.

We understand that homelessness, housing insecurity and poverty in Los Angeles are unique, largely shaped by the critical housing shortage.  That’s why we take a holistic approach to supporting Angelenos in need, prioritizing Housing First while recognizing that housing alone is not enough to support individuals and families on their path to build a sustainable and productive future.

We are looking for people who, like us, believe in the inherent worth of every individual.  And understand that homelessness and poverty are often a result of circumstances, not a reflection of character. We are on a bold mission to end poverty and homelessness in our generation and are deeply committed to finding long-term solutions to shape a future for Los Angeles that works for all.

At St. Joseph Center we are committed to creating a culture where innovation flourishes, diversity strengthens us, and our strong SJC community contributes to our shared mission.

Job Description

Job Summary

The Substance Abuse Counselor works as a team of the multi-disciplinary homeless street outreach team, in collaboration with social service professionals, ensuring the delivery of quality care in accordance to the rules and regulations established by the Los Angeles Department of Health Services for contracted agencies, as well as adhering to the mission of St. Joseph Center.  The E6 MDT Substance Abuse Counselor will use the “whatever it takes” approach to help people experiencing homelessness get connected to substance abuse resources, and supportive services, in order to obtain permanent housing.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Substance Abuse Counselor’s key areas of responsibility include: 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Implement case management service plan goals emphasizing coordinated strategies for addressing substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, and any other risk factors that could impede client’s functioning.
• Provide ongoing assessment of client progress in attaining goals.
• Utilize a harm reduction model when working with clients.
• Link clients to appropriate bridge/interim housing programs and assist them in completing required paperwork in order to enroll them in permanent housing programs.

Essential Duties:

• Provide ongoing case management services that will decrease social isolation and prevent relapse risks; provide linkage and brokerage to any mental health, substance abuse, and meaningful community activities.
• Provide crisis management, case management, and other related substance abuse/mental health services to clients on the streets, in service venues, in housing placements, or other locations as appropriate.
• Respond to urgent requests for assistance from clients as needed.
• Perform daily follow-ups and wellness checks on existing clients and on all new referrals.
• Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies and other community meetings as directed.
• Conducts 1:1 consistent with harm reduction principles to fa