Social Work Practitioner

Position Summary
The Formerly Incarcerated Transition Wellness Program FIT is a partnership between UNC Family Medicine the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction DAC (which administers the state prison system) Federally Qualified Health Centers County Departments of Health communitybased organizations and local reentry councils. The FIT Program coordinates with existing state and local resources to assist people coming out of incarceration with connections to essential medical services. The program hinges on Community Health Workers (CHWs) who connect eligible clients with chronic disease mental illness and/or substance use disorder to appropriate health care services. FIT CHWs also help clients put together comprehensive reentry plans working with local reentry partners and community resources. Similar programs have been successful in other parts of the U.S. and have decreased rates of hospitalization emergency room use and even recidivism. We have additional support from a national group that encourages the use of this model the Transitions Clinic Network. The Formerly Incarcerated Transition Wellness Program FIT is seeking a Benefits Counselor to serve formerly incarcerated clients with serious mental illness. The Benefits Counselor will manage and facilitate the application process for resources including but not limited to: SNAP Medicaid Supplemental Security Income SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance SSDI . The Benefit Counselor will ensure clients have access to necessary financial assistance as part of the FIT Wellness Program. The ideal candidate will have a profound understanding of mental health issues and the challenges faced by formerly incarcerated individuals along with a passion for advocacy and community service. In addition the ideal candidate will have strong communication skills the ability to navigate complex government programs and a commitment to helping formerly incarcerated individuals achieve financial security.

Required Qualifications Competencies And Experience
The ideal candidate must have the following qualifications: Experience facilitating managing and counseling individuals with a variety of benefit applications. Strong engagement and rapportbuilding capabilities. Strong commitment to clientcentered care working with culturally diverse populations LGBTQ individuals and an array of formerly incarcerated people including those who have committed a sex offense. Experience with client assessment treatment planning conducting interviews/investigations advising/counseling clients and participating in health promotion and health education activities. A Valid NC drivers license and access to reliable transportation.

Preferred Qualifications Competencies And Experience
SSI / SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery SOAR certified and direct experience with individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses particularly within justiceinvolved populations. Experience working with community based organizations specifically mental health and substance use treatment programs. Familiarity with interventions for cooccurring disorders. Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team collaboratively practicing with peer support workers primary care providers and other health care professionals. Ability to navigate complex cases and balance multiple priorities in a fastpaced environment. Experience living or working in Wake County North Carolina.

Work Schedule
Monday Friday 8am 5pm