119 - Client Advocate

Department Overview

The Bronx Healthy Start program works to ensure that expecting and postpartum moms and babies up to the age of two are healthy, safe, and thriving. Healthy Start uses case management as the core service connecting mothers and their families to free and confidential screening and referral to medical services, voluntary home visitation and resources. The goal of the program is to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. As a federally funded program, Healthy Start also seeks to preserve continuity of care and reduce disparities for women, children, and families.

Job Summary

The Healthy Start Client Advocate, Community Health Worker (CHW), offers family‑centered and strength‑based services to empower families to meet their needs during the Healthy Start encounter. The role requires establishing trusting, respectful relationships with families while maintaining boundaries, providing supportive services, and maintaining accurate, complete documentation of family encounters. This data‑driven program requires data entry, strong organizational skills, consistent deadline management, and good stress‑management/self‑care skills. The CHW works as a team player, can make decisions independently with minimal supervision, and follows established policies.

Responsibilities

• Outreach to identify (case finding) women of childbearing age—pregnant and parenting infants/toddlers up to 18 months, as well as fathers/father figures/partners residing in the targeted project communities, who need case‑management intervention services.
• Assist clients and their families with navigating and accessing community services.
• Provide informal counseling on health issues related to diagnostic screenings (e.g., breast cancer, women’s health services, dental hygiene, glaucoma tests, hypertension, diabetes, annual physicals, immunizations, diet and exercise).
• Assist clients with applying for social services including Medicaid, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), housing, day care, early intervention services, etc.
• Actively promote and arrange family planning services.
• Inform clients on risk and prevention issues such as prenatal substance abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence.
• Complete comprehensive care‑coordination needs assessments and care‑coordination plans for enrolled clients requiring case‑management intervention.
• Utilize the electronic data system to enroll, refer, and case‑manage participants and effectively manage caseload.
• Maintain updated client records with appropriate forms and pertinent information.
• Ensure families receive needed health and social support services through appropriate referral linkages and follow‑up tracking.
• Conduct home visits and provide client advocacy at scheduled appointments whenever necessary.
• Relate to clients from multicultural backgrounds, varied ages, and diverse socio‑economic circumstances.
• Maintain ongoing dialogue with maternal/child health and social support service providers in the targeted service areas to strengthen professional linkages and reduce barriers to service access.
• Coordinate and implement maternal/child health educational workshops for enrolled clients.
• Coordinate procurement of community‑relevant maternal/child health education materials (pamphlets, videos, etc.).
• Submit a monthly narrative report and statistical data summary to the CHW Supervisor, and participate in bi‑weekly case review/supervision.
• Participate in regular reflective supervision, case reviews, staff meetings, and staff development trainings.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a closely related field; or high school diploma or equivalent with at least two years of prior experience working at a human services or healthcare agency.
• Experience: At least one year of administrative experience, preferably in a healthcare setting; several years of experience working with and/or providing services to children and families.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in routine administrative practices; competence using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; proficiency with HRIS systems (e.g., Paycom) strongly preferred; willingness and ability to learn new software and technology.
• Interpersonal Skills: Ability to communicate clearly, calmly, and effectively with all staff levels and the public; professionalism, sound judgment, and ability to maintain positive working relationships.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to think clearly and make sound decisions under pressure; ability to interpret and follow guidelines established by organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Language Skills: Fluent in English, both verbally and in writing; bilingual English‑Spanish skills are a plus but not required.
• Mathematical Skills: Proficient in basic arithmetic functions, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and averages.
• Physical Demands: Ability to lift up to 5 pounds regularly and up to 25 pounds occasionally; ability to sit and/or stand for extended periods.