Mental Health Advocate

Position : Mental Health Advocate

Report to : Mental Health Lead

Hours : 32-40 hours per week (confirmed at time of hire within following schedule)

Schedule : Monday-Thursday 7 : 30am-5 : 00pm; Friday 7 : 30am-2 : 30pm

FSLA Status : Non-Exempt

Location : Onsite

Join a small and social justice-oriented team environment! Rose Haven has provided over 25 years of compassionate service as the only day shelter for women, children and gender-diverse individuals in Portland.

Our holistic approach includes meeting essential needs such as food, clothing, showers, laundry, and safety while bolstering long term empowerment through emotional support, wellness activities, and connection to resources and community.

We offer low-barrier services in a brand new trauma-informed space to guests who trust us and value their relationships with our community of staff, interns and volunteers.

The Mental Health Advocate plays a vital role at Rose Haven and will join a team providing accessible mental health support to our guests, including crisis intervention, safety planning, one-on-one emotional support, support groups, and connection to longer-term mental healthcare resources for guests.

Rose Haven is already a trusted resource center for our guests, and the Mental Health team aims to remove barriers faced by guests when accessing care offsite and help bridge gaps to existing systems of mental health care.

Direct Guest Care :

• Provide onsite intervention for adults experiencing mental health and / or substance use crises
• Conduct mental health risk assessments related to PTSD, suicidal ideation, interpersonal / sexual trauma, substance use / self-medication, dissociation, etc.
• Develop short-term person-centered stabilization / safety plans
• Provide 1 : 1 emotional support as follow-up to stabilization / safety planning or via scheduled meetings to process life events such as a death, housing loss, trauma, etc.
• Facilitate connection to resources (identify goals and barriers to care; secure or navigate insurance; refer to longer-term community mental health / substance treatment providers)
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community resources and providers to facilitate appropriate referral services
• Consult with staff team and community providers regarding guest mental health and substance use / recovery issues (with necessary releases)
• Maintain accurate daily documentation of guest interactions
• Utilize verbal de-escalation skills to resolve heightened emotional situations or triage as needed

Support Groups :

Facilitate and / or co-facilitate support groups on themes such as : peer support, recovery support, mental health support, moving into housing, interpersonal violence / sexual violence survivor support, LGBTQ+ support

Training :

Coordinate and / or facilitate occasional training for staff and volunteers related to mental health, substance use, de-escalation, trauma informed care, etc.

Other :

• Participate in staff meetings and trainings
• Support organizational special events, including guest events during service hours, approximately 3 evening events for supporters, and annual fundraiser on Mother’s Day
• Other duties as assigned

You’re best suited to be in this role if you have :

• A Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or a mental health related field (required)
• 2 years experience providing crisis intervention and emotional support to adults with mental health and / or substance use issues (paid or unpaid)
• Ability to conduct a mental health risk assessment or safety plan
• Previous experience working with vulnerable, marginalized and / or unhoused populations
• Are adaptable and thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, flexible environment
• Ability to be on your feet frequently throughout the day
• Identities and / or lived experience reflects the diversity of the people we serve. (Candidates with lived experience related to being a person of color, LGBTQ2IA+, having a disability, experiencing housing insecurity, or being part of a marginalized community are encouraged to apply.)

We expect all team members to

• Support the mission, values and community agreements of Rose Haven
• Set and hold professional boundaries and agency policies compassionately
• Demonstrate cultural humility towards diversity of the human experience including race, religion, ethnicity, mental and physical abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, education and cultural heritage
• Show strong interpersonal and decision-making skills
• Work effectively in a team-based environment and support a collaborative service model
• Offer attention to detail and accuracy related to documentation, reporting, and record keeping
• Demonstrate initiative, dependability, flexibility and strong organizational skills
• Be a clear and effective communicator (verbally and in writing)
• Have functional knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace

Compensation and Benefits :

Hourly rate of $24

Rose Haven offers 100% employer-covered medical, vision, alternative care, and dental benefits, as well as two buy-up plan options.

After 90 days of employment, a 3% matching 401k option is available. Rose Haven recognizes 10 paid holidays and 1 floating holiday, and has a practice of closing for 2 one-week periods during the year for staff wellness (with pay).

Vacation and sick time begin accruing immediately, and vacation accrual increases with longevity. A professional development stipend is available to all staff.

Additional Compensation of $1.00 per hour for :

• Fluency in a language particularly valued by Rose Haven (Spanish, Chinese, Russian or American Sign Language)
• Adding value to a culturally responsive organization by identifying with a historically marginalized ethnicity / race

Work Space Accessibility :

Rose Haven operates services on the main floor. Entrances vary from 0-3 stairs, with one staircase between the main floor and basement (where guest supplies are stored).

Noise level in the building often fluctuates with direct service delivery. Lifting of 0-30 pounds and moving supplies or furniture may occasionally be requested.

Parking pass provided.