Refugee Health & Wellness Coordinator - #1407746

Why Work for CIRI?

Embark On a Fulfilling Career With CIRI, Where You'll Find More Than Just a Job ' You'll Find Purpose. As Part Of Our Team, You'll Enjoy

• Meaningful Mission: Contribute to an incredible mission of assisting refugees and immigrants in overcoming barriers to become self-sufficient, integrated members of the community.
• Professional Growth: Be part of a diverse and supportive team that encourages your growth and development.
• Community Connection: Establish long-term connections with the community and make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, medical/dental/vision/life/403B plan, 13 paid holidays, 20 days of paid time off per year, and a commitment to work/life balance and self-care.
• Public Interest Loan Forgiveness: Benefit from eligibility for the Public Interest Loan Forgiveness Program.
  
  

This organization participates in E-Verify.

Join the Journey: Empower Lives, Shape Futures at The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI)

Compensation: $44,000 + Benefits (that currently include):

• Medical (Anthem): 3 copay/deductible options; base plan is $40/paycheck
• Vision (Mutual of Omaha): $60 per year; $130 hardware allowance
• Dental (Mutual of Omaha): $500 per year; $1,750 annual benefit
• Life: 1 x Salary to $100K; paid by CIRI
• Voluntary Life: Available to employees and family
• Disability: 60% of earnings; paid by CIRI
• Identity Theft: Optional coverage; paid by employees
  
  

The US has a proud history of providing refuge to those fleeing war and persecution and is the largest resettlement country in the world. The Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants (CIRI) has received and resettled refugees for over fifty years. We are affiliated with the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), one of nine national agencies that administer the refugee resettlement program nationally.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Refugee Health and Wellness Coordinator is responsible for administering CIRI's Preferred Communities program, a 6 month to 1 year program providing critical interventions and intensive case management for refugee and other eligible populations, including those with serious medical and/or psychological conditions, adults and children at risk for an/or survivors of abuse and exploitation, and elderly refugees. Employing specific tools, trauma informed services provided will include, but not be limited to: medical and behavioral health interventions, social adjustment support, assistance with building personal support systems, and navigation of systems of care. The program Counselor will assist specialized medical, behavioral health and other service providers to further develop their capacity to serve refugees and to grow the agency's linkages to healthcare providers, primarily in the greater Bridgeport area.

Client-Focused Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Keep pace with intensive case management and developing needs for up to 33 clients per year.
• Conduct eligibility screenings using trauma-informed techniques.
• Develop client-led individual service plans addressing bio-psycho-social-legal-spiritual wellness and work proactively with clients to achieve stated goals; revisit and adjust plans as needed throughout service period.
• Provide targeted referrals and accompaniment to appropriate providers, including medical and behavioral health, housing, public benefits, educational, parenting support and others.
• Conduct needs assessments and follow up to ensure that beneficiaries are able to address and overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and healing; counsel with clients for stress reduction, overall health wellness and stabilization on an as needed basis.
• Assist clients in applying for and obtaining social service benefits, as well as other services including medical care, mental health care, employment, education, etc.;
• Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact a client's safety and wellness.
  
  

Administrative Duties

• Assist program Manager in growing and sustain a robust network of community referral resources to assist clients.
• Coordinate with internal and external service providers for a coordinated care approach, including active participation in coordinated care meetings with relevant providers;
• Collect client data based on program reporting requirements; write succinct case notes in a timely fashion;
• Write and prepare administrative documentation and monthly and semi-annual reports on time as required;
• Collaborate with Refugee Team to determine content, scheduling and simple evaluation of bi-monthly refugee health promotion groups.
• Participate in calls/meetings with potential partners and funders as needed.
• Participate in regularly scheduled team trainings, CIRI meetings and external partners meetings.
• Other duties as requested.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree with a concentration in a relevant field (social work, anthropology, psychology, international studies, education, sociology, women's studies, public health);
• A minimum of four years' experience providing trauma informed intensive case management services to vulnerable populations, preferably: immigrants, refugees, survivors of human trafficking and/or domestic and/or sexual violence.
• Resilient self- starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to independently prioritize duties and manage time effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Highly skilled at understanding and utilizing appropriate boundaries.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Must have reliable car, valid U.S. driver's license, car registration and auto insurance.
• Ability to have a flexible schedule to accommodate occasional after-hours services, including evenings and weekends.
  
  

Preferred

• Prior knowledge of local (Bridgeport, CT) community social service resources preferred, particularly for immigrant and other vulnerable populations.
• Experience working with client databases.
• Foreign-language skills (Spanish, French, Arabic, Swahili, or Tigrinya) a plus.