Ft Housing Follow-Up Support Case Worker

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Good Shepherd Ministries provides food, shelter, clothing, medical care, housing services, and pre-and-post addiction treatment services for people struggling with poverty and homelessness.

In its work, Good Shepherd Ministries strives to promote and protect human dignity. Services are offered in a spirit of compassion, trust, acceptance, and respect.

Services are provided free of charge and without distinction to anyone in need. Services are available 365 days a year.

We are currently accepting applications for a term contract full-time Housing Follow-up Support Case Worker position for 40 hours per week.

Reporting to the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program, the Housing Follow-up Support Case Worker enhances the dignity and quality of life of Good Shepherd’s clients by helping individuals and households exiting homelessness to work towards continued housing stability. These tailored, in-person supports meet the unique strengths and needs of each household while assisting their transition from shelter or outdoors into permanent, safe homes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide non-judgmental, trauma-informed and anti-oppressive services rooted in harm reduction and Housing First approaches
• Deliver services in person, including travelling to meet with people in their housing units, accompanying people to other service providers and conducting services after hours and on weekends when necessary
• Referrals are to be assigned by the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program, designate or the Coordinated Access team. To proceed with the assigned referrals in a timely manner through collaborative consultation according to the provided Transfer Process Guidelines.
• Participate in all meetings and case conferencing processes with housing follow-up support providers (i.e., monthly case conference meetings) established by the Coordinated Access team, as required
• Provide client-directed, goal-oriented service planning that fosters developing independence, integrates appropriate referrals to community supports and/or long-term case management and embeds comprehensive discharge processes
• Provide services and strategies to stabilize housing for people at risk of homelessness, including landlord mediation, support with navigating the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), arrears repayment and re-housing
• Compile, maintain and provide program statistics and submitting activity data and program outcomes, as required
• Assist clients during the resettlement process and provide support, direction and encouragement.
• Provide comprehensive housing follow-up support services for clients moving to independent living.
• Facilitate connections to community, social, cultural, and recreational activities, including accompanying clients to those activities if necessary.
• Provide case management/counselling services to housed clients focusing on assisting clients in maintaining long-term accommodation
• Assist clients with ‘Life Skills’ development. To create supports and foster positive relationships to help clients develop daily living skills.
• Generate opportunities for clients to develop problem-solving, conflict resolution, and budgeting skills.
• Assist clients with job searches, providing referral to employment agencies, developing interview skills and preparation of resumes.
• Provide eviction prevention services, including regular check-in with clients and, if necessary, with landlords, to ensure rent is paid and to identify if landlord mediation is needed.
• Provide outreach services to clients, including providing information on drug/alcohol recovery, referrals to appropriate services, crisis intervention, and eviction prevention.
• Proactively assess and follow up on client needs.
• Conduct regular home visits that focus on goals and specific activities/outcomes that can move clients toward independence where appropriate, to refer clients to community/intensive case management services, local substance abuse services, medical and psychiatric care, intensive stabilization units, etc.
• Attend case conferences, other discussions and meetings as directed.
• Participate in City committees and working groups, if or as required
• Follow the guidelines of the City of Toronto’s strategic direction as it relates to housing and case management.
• Be familiar with the relevant statutory and voluntary services available to our client group to effectively advise and assist clients in their legal right to fair housing and other entitlements.
• Maintain the confidentiality and ethical standards of Good Shepherd Ministries at all times.
• Perform any other related tasks that may from time to time be assigned by the Manager, Housing Follow-up Support Program or designate.

Requirements

• Must have: Degree in Social Work or equivalent educational and work experience.
• Must have: Solid experience in social work and counselling/ case management/ crisis intervention/ program development to provide responsive and client-centred case management services that meet each person’s unique needs and/or complex challenges.
• A thorough understanding of homelessness, poverty, health and related issues.
• Knowledgeable of the Residential Tenancies Act, the Housing Services Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
• Excellent written communication skills to produce routine memoranda, correspondence.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills to maintain teamwork and work professionally with clients, visitors, and colleagues

Thank you to everyone who applies. However, only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $29.88-$30.60 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP match

Application question(s):

• Are you knowledgeable of the Residential Tenancies Act, the Housing Services Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Work Location: In person