Health Center Social Worker

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

Reporting to the Director of Mental Health, the Health Center Social Worker, who is CASAC-certified, is responsible for providing psychosocial services, including crisis intervention, risk/psychosocial assessments, connecting youth to resources in the community, and short-term supportive counseling to a diverse youth homeless population and community patients. The Health Center Social Worker will also lead the continued integration of mental health, primary care, and substance use services for clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center and residing in our crisis shelter.

The Health Center Social Worker should have a focus and understanding of trauma-informed care and working with clients who have experienced significant trauma. The Health Center Social Worker will participate in interdisciplinary case conferences, work with primary care providers, and assist with program development to ensure high-quality delivery of services.

The Health Center Social Worker provides psychosocial services using a variety of interventions, including evidence-based models such as TF-CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing, to young adults aged 16-21 residing in a 120-bed RHY shelter and aftercare services, as well as community clients utilizing our Federally Qualified Health Center.

As this is a new position, the Health Center Social Worker must be comfortable in a rapidly changing environment where processes and protocols are being developed and refined as the program operates. Flexibility, excellent communication, and problem-solving abilities are critical to successfully fulfilling the requirements of this position. This position includes opportunities to be trained and certified in evidence-based practices (EBPs) and continuing education credit opportunities through the InUnity Behavioral Health Coalition, of which CHNY is a member.

It also provides individual and group supervision by an LCSW to pursue LCSW licensure.
GRANT END DATE: 08/31/2026

(Responsibilities to include, but not limited to the following)

• Provide initial evaluations utilizing assessment tools such as the PHQ-9 and CRAAFT.
• Provide individual, group counseling, and psychoeducation, with a specialization in substance use, to youth experiencing homelessness and community clients to address mental health and psychosocial needs. This includes short-term crisis intervention, advocacy, and follow-up for the designated caseload.
• Collaborating with our Health Center, AHT, legal, and residential teams to provide wrap-around services for youth.
• Complete psychosocial assessments (e.g., screening for mental health and substance use concerns and mental status) for higher-needs residents. Identify current mental health, social, and emotional needs, make initial recommendations, make…