Transitional Housing Expansion (THX) Program Worker - 1 year mat leave coverage contract

The THX Program provides outreach support to women and gender diverse people who are currently experiencing or who have experience gender-based violence who may also be experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

Description

For 50 years Nellie’s has been providing shelter and support for marginalized women and their children in the Greater Toronto Area. We operate programs and services for women and their children who had or are experiencing violence, poverty, and homelessness. Nellie’s works to lessen homelessness for women and their children whether the cause is family violence, mental health, or any other reason that results in dealing with the impact from trauma.

Nellie’s operates Community Support and Outreach programs that provide aftercare support and follow-up services to women and their children after they leave the shelter, as well as transitional housing support for women living in the community who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

The THX Program Worker works directly with these individuals and families, providing client-centered case management support. Case management includes providing support with housing, income, mental health, substance use, legal, immigration, employment, education, and referrals to community supports. Support will be provided from a harm reduction and trauma-informed perspective. The THX Program Worker will be responsible for providing crisis intervention, advocacy support, accompanying clients to appointments, collaborating with community agencies, and developing safety and transition plans. The THX Program Worker will support individuals and families in the community who can be located anywhere in the City of Toronto.

Nellie’s is committed to the development of an agency that reflects the women it serves. This position is open to all women*. Woman* signifies anyone who self-identifies as female, femme and/or woman. This includes transwomen, cisgender women, non-binary people who identify as femme or female presenting. Applications from equity-seeking groups are strongly encouraged.

JOB SUMMARY/DESCRIPTION

Case Management

• Provide one-on-one case management support, including providing support with housing, income, mental health, substance use, legal, immigration, employment, education, and referrals to community supports.
• Work with clients to create and implement safety plans and transitional support plans that are client-centered and based on their individual needs.
• Support clients to apply for subsidized housing and special priority for people experiencing domestic violence or human trafficking.
• Support clients to look for private market housing and access rent supplement programs.
• Support clients to coordinate moving, including accessing financial support and referrals to the Furniture Bank and Shelter Movers.
• Support clients to apply for income supports, including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Employment Insurance, child tax benefit, CPP, and OAS.
• Provide support with mental health and substance use challenges from a harm reduction and trauma-informed perspective.
• Support clients to access food banks and other programs that assist with food security.
• Support clients to secure legal assistance and prepare for court proceedings.
• Support clients with immigration by connecting them to community supports.
• Support clients to access parenting resources and childcare programs.
• Support and accompany clients to appointments and services when appropriate.
• Attend case management meetings and case conferences with internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with community agencies to support client needs.

Crisis Intervention

• Provide crisis intervention and support clients with the development of skills to deal with crises.
• Provide overdose prevention education and information for safe drug use.

Community Networking and Partnership

• Attend FOCUS Toronto Situation Table meetings.
• Provide housing help at community agencies as outreach to connect with women and gender diverse people.
• Coordinate and collaborate with the THSP and THX teams.
• Research, develop, and facilitate workshops for clients in the community.
• Source and maintain opportunities for collaborative partnerships.
• Keep current of trends and community resources.

Other

• Identify and participate in community committees that address systemic issues.
• Submit monthly statistical data as required.
• On-going updating of the Excel Spreadsheet.
• Create and submit quarterly work plans.
• Other duties as required.

Requirements

• Completion of a College diploma or a University degree in Social Work/Social Services.
• 1 to 3 years' experience working in housing and providing client-centered care focused on issues of trauma.
• 1 to 3 years' case management experience in the community mental health and harm reduction sector.
• Experience and training in working from an anti-racism/anti-oppression framework.
• Knowledge of the impact of systemic oppression on women and gender diverse individuals.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in providing services to clients with substance use.
• A certificate in trauma counselling would be an asset.
• Knowledge of immigration and housing systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products and other computer software.

Hours: 35 hrs/week

Salary: $54,135 annually

Nellie’s is committed to the development of an agency that reflects the women it serves. Applications from Aboriginal Women, Women of Colour, Lesbians, Bisexual Women, Transgendered Women, and Women with Disabilities are strongly encouraged.

Nellie’s is a unionized workplace with the Workers United Canada Council.