Life Coach for the Community-based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, Hartford, CT

COMPENSATION: $55,000 ($26.44/hour)

AGENCY DESCRIPTION :

One of the oldest organizations of its kind in the country, Community Partners in Action (CPA) was founded nearly 150 years ago to champion criminal justice reform and advocate for preserving the dignity of those in and out of prison. Through our programs that include reentry and housing, youth initiatives, a nationally recognized Prison Arts Program, and holistic alternatives to incarceration, we provide long-term impact that positively transforms individuals and society at large. Annually serving nearly 5,000 individuals throughout Connecticut, our work is possible due to partnerships with and support from individuals, government, private funders, organizations, and businesses.

CPA launched our BEDI ( B elonging, E quity, D iversity, and I nclusion) Journey in June 2020. Led by a task force that includes board members, our executive leadership team, program managers and staff who act as BEDI Ambassadors from each of our programs, WE ARE COMMITTED to building and maintaining an inclusive, equitable workplace and COMPELLED to have a constructive impact on criminal justice reform in CT that ends racial inequities and ensures the humanity and dignity of those interacting with the system. Read more about our BEDI journey at Our Commitment to Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - CPA (cpa-ct.org)

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

Over the past 10 years, the City of Hartford has averaged a homicide rate of about 19.5 per 100,000 population, nearly four times the national average and more than six times greater than the statewide homicide rate. Like many cities, Hartford has experienced increasing rates of community gun violence since 2020. The City of Hartford applied for, and was awarded, a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to expand its community-based violence intervention and prevention initiative (CVIPI) approach and fund additional multi-disciplinary, data-informed violence intervention strategies focused on those at the very highest risk for immediate involvement in gun violence. Hartford's CVIPI expansion program will apply outreach, services, and intensive case management to the communities in greatest need. As part of the CVIPI grant, the City of Hartford contracted with Community Partners in Action to hire and develop Life Coaches to support high-risk individuals with repeat violent offenses and illegal firearms charges by providing participants with intensive case management and linking them with credible messengers (persons with lived experience in the justice system) who will provide additional support.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

The Life Coach will be part of a grant-funded community-based violence intervention and prevention initiative. The Life Coach will support justice involved Hartford residents to prevent repeat offenses and to influence risk factors to reduce gun violence in the City of Hartford. The Life Coach will be assigned to work with men ages 25 to 40 from the City of Hartford, who have been identified as high risk of being involved in gun violence and have had extensive criminal justice involvement. Expectations of the Life Coach include the development of a trusting relationship with the participants through significant time (e.g., daily contact) spent assessing their risk factors and guiding them through new strategies to build personal success. The Life Coach will connect participants to services, supports and opportunities in the community. The Life Coach will work with the participants to cease the violence and strengthen successful reintegration with informed and improved decision-making.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree or a combination of 6 years of education and experience in social services, criminal justice, or related field that provides experience in any of the following: Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT), administering of assessments and/or performing case management functions. Knowledge of criminal justice and court systems and the ability to interact with people of diverse backgrounds. Strong emotional intelligence, written and verbal communication, interpersonal and decision-making skills. Ability to multi-task and knowledge of cognitive-behavioral approaches are critical. Demonstrates trauma informed approaches and cultural responsiveness, models pro-social behavior. Must be computer literate, have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation. Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred. A candidate in recovery for at least five years and/or formerly incarcerated is desirable. If formerly incarcerated, the individual must have completed parole and/or probation and have no criminal justice involvement for at least three years. Some evenings required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES:

1. Commit to the mission and goals of the Community-based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI).
2. Actively participate in monthly CVIPI Working Group meetings and quarterly Planning & Implementation Team meetings, as required.
3. Contact each referred participant within 24 hours of assignment to schedule an in-person meeting. The in-person meeting must be scheduled within 48 hours of assignment. The initial focus will be to build a positive, trusting relationship with the participant.
4. Engage and enroll participants in the intensive case management program.
5. Conduct participant risk/needs assessments using motivational enhancement strategies.
6. Utilize the outputs of the assessments to formulate participants' Individual Service Plans (ISPs).
7. Facilitate/coordinate and follow up on any necessary referrals to community partners.
8. Collaborate with the CVIPI Credible Messengers for interventions with program participants.
9. Document intensive case management efforts, update individual case files, and make all required entries into data management system.
10. Utilize an incentive-based model rewarding participants for their achievements and milestones based on their individual service plans and support their continued engagement.
11. Maintain consistent contact with each participant (daily basis).
12. Communicate and coordinate with identified Parole and Probation Officers to ensure there is a cohesive plan for each participant who is under their supervision and referred to this program.
13. Develop and maintain a strong network of community providers that can assist program participants.
14. Participate in community groups, committees and meetings.
15. Educate, advocate, and promote social justice and social change on behalf of all participants.
16. Submit program reports as prescribed.
17. Function as a team-player assisting with all program participants and staff.
18. Serve as a role model to participants and staff modeling pro-social behaviors.
19. Establish and maintain professional boundaries with participants and community providers.
20. Other duties as required for smooth operation of the program.

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An Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Affirmative Action