Follow-Up Housing Support Worker
Job No:
EX234
Location:
Toronto, ON
FOLLOW-UP HOUSING SUPPORT WORKER
Streets to Homes Program
One (1) Bargaining Unit, Temporary Full-Time Position
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
About Cota
If you're looking to contribute your expertise at a community-based organization making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of people each year - Cota would love to hear from you!
We provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment that emphasizes employee support, learning opportunities and excellence in our field. We offer flexible hours and employer-paid benefits for some classifications along with other perks and wellness activities.
For 50 years, Cota has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their community. We provide person-centred support to help individuals find inspiration and hope in themselves, so they are better able to pursue meaningful change in their lives.
To find out more about us and our programs/services and employee benefits please visit our website!
Role Overview
Cota's role within this program is to provide intensive follow-up support for individuals that are housed by the city, with extremely high needs (Addictions, ABI, mental health issues), and require up to 5 visits a week in order to stay housed. Our Streets to Homes follow up services are committed to being flexible and responsive to the unique needs and desires of each client.
About the Team
Cota is one of the community partners in the "Streets to Homes" program, with the City of Toronto. This program works with street-involved, homeless individuals and its goal is to end street homelessness within the City of Toronto utilizing the Housing First strategy. The principles behind this strategy involves a focus on housing individuals directly from the street, providing services in a client centred, solution focused manner, greater system coordination of existing services and resources, and providing a range of innovative programs designed to meet specific needs of homeless individuals in accessing housing.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Outreach supports and the development of a trusting relationship between the client and the service provider.
- Searching for clients in unconventional areas.
- One-on-one support to provide a range of practical housing and housing stabilization options.
- Developing a strong relationship with the landlord and stay informed about rental payments.
- Encouraging and accompanying on community integration initiatives.
- Collaborating in the development of an individualized housing plan that respects client's personal preferences and autonomy.
- Support in accessing basic necessities such as food, clothing, and furniture bank.
- Support in accessing case management if needed after discharge.
- Collaborative development of a personalized pre-determined safety plan.
- Collaborative development and implementation of an individualized recovery plan.
- Assistance to achieve/maintain optimum health and wellness.
- Direct follow-up support in all areas, such as:
- education about the nature of mental health challenges.
- support and education to care givers and/or the person's support network, as appropriate.
- development of self-management strategies.
- encouragement, emotional support and motivation.
- development of personal support networks.
- development/maintenance of general life skills.
- support in maintaining housing.
- referring to and accessing other desired/needed community and primary health care services (referrals to primary health care services as may be required).
- Collaboration with external stakeholders and/or partner agencies.
- Independent and team collaborative work.
The Successful Candidate Requires:
- A University Degree or Community College Diploma in a related field.
- Clinical experience and demonstrated ability to engage and connect with people with serious mental health problems and homeless issues.
- Experience in community mental health and in supportive housing settings.
- Experience working with developmentally delayed, homelessness and/or addiction problems is preferable.
- Previous working and/or reporting relationship with external stakeholders and/or partner agencies is an asset.
- Ability to write reports as required by funders.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent knowledge of community resources specific to the homeless and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information.
- Basic competency of a Microsoft environment.
Other Requirements and Working conditions:
- Significant travel within GTA is necessary.
- Searching for clients in unconventional area.
- Must have have access to a vehicle.
Application Details
Please forward a cover letter and your current resume on or before May 7th, 2024 by 4:00 pm with the reference EX234.
Cota's Values & Commitment
Cota's core values of Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Collaboration and Innovation are at centre of who we are and what we do.
As an equal opportunity employer, we remain dedicated to sustaining an experienced workforce that reflects Cota's commitment to recognizing everyone's contributions, respect of everyone's dignity, unique experience and potentials.
Cota will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.
Cota's Diversity Statement
Cota remains respectful of all protected rights in line with the grounds laid out by the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC). Cota is also strongly committed to diversity and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
As part of our hiring process, you may be asked to complete demographic survey. This survey is voluntary and any information provided shall remain anonymous and confidential, only being used for the purpose of workforce reporting.
Cota's Accessibility Statement
Cota is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our entire hiring process as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact the HR Department via email to humanressources@cotainspires.ca
Additional Information:
Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.
Accommodation: Cota is an equal opportunity employer and strives to ensure that its recruitment and selection processes meets the needs of all persons with disabilities. As such, Cota will provide reasonable accommodation for any applicant, as requested during the recruitment process. For any recruitment related accommodation needs and/or requests please contact the HR Department via humanresources@cotainspires.ca
Cota values diversity: We welcome applications by qualified candidates from equity-deserving groups, including people with disabilities, Indigenous and racialized people, and queer, trans and gender non-conforming people.
Scent Free: Cota encourages a scent-free environment. Any staff or visitor attending any of our sites should please refrain from wearing fragrances and other scented personal care products (i.e. perfumes, deodorants, lotions, hairspray, etc.)
We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interests, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you, Cota's HR Department.