SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WORKER

Collegeview - Acquired Brain Injury - ABI

Two (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Part-Time Position - Medication Support

Saturday-Sunday 3:00pm-11:00pm - Every Other Weekend 

Compensation: $24.54 hour

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 

The role of the Supportive Housing Worker is crucial for supporting tenants in maintaining their housing, developing independent living skills, and pursuing personal recovery and wellness.

About the Team

We require a Supportive Housing Worker to work as a team member of our Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Supportive Housing program at Collegeview. Collegeview is located at the Collegeview Apartment site in the Yonge St. /College St. area of downtown Toronto. This program provides rent-geared-to-income accommodation and supports to adults living with ABI requiring various levels of physical, cognitive, and behavioral support. Tenants reside in their own apartments and share a communal kitchen with other tenants. The goal of the program is to assist tenants with activities of daily living (ADL’s & IADL’s) and other individual goals so that they can maintain their housing and lead productive lives within the community. The Collegeview team supports the program every day, 24hrs 7 days a week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Medication Support

The Supportive Housing Worker ensures the safe, accurate, and consistent use of medication. Assisting tenants enrolled in the medication program with medication management. This includes selecting and procuring medication; storing medications in the office area; delivering; and administering medications and monitoring the effects of medications on the service users. In addition the SHW communicates regularly with the Pharmacy and supporting medical staff as required, including medical appt. bookings and follow up.

• Housing Maintenance 

The Supportive Housing Worker assists tenants (in collaboration with other team members) in maintaining their housing by guiding tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and managing their living space. They may also help tenants understand their tenancy rights and responsibilities, including rent payment and adherence to building rules and regulations. Tenants are also supported with submitting documentation such as annual rent reviews and tenant service request forms. In addition, the supportive housing worker collaborates with other members of the team to support pest control measures and preparation for treatment. By offering support in housing-related matters, the worker helps ensure that tenants can sustain their housing stability and maintenance of a healthy living space. 

• Independent Living Skills 

The Supportive Housing Worker helps tenants develop and enhance their independent living skills. This may involve teaching practical skills such as budgeting, cooking, and shopping in the community for items needed. The worker can also guide managing household chores, personal hygiene, and time management. Through skill-building activities, the worker empowers tenants to become more self-sufficient and confident in their ability to live independently.

• Support Meal Program

Supportive Housing Workers are responsible for supporting the meal program and menu planning, taking into consideration dietary needs/restrictions. The supportive housing worker also supports weekly online and (depending on need) in-person grocery shopping.

•  Individualized Support Planning

 The Supportive Housing Worker engages in person-centered planning with tenants to identify their unique needs and aspirations. Together, they develop individualized support plans that outline specific goals, strategies, and timelines. The worker regularly reviews and revises these plans in collaboration with the tenant to ensure they remain relevant and supportive of their evolving needs.

• Crisis Intervention and Advocacy

 In times of crisis or challenging situations, the Supportive Housing Worker provides immediate support and intervention. This may involve de-escalation techniques, connecting tenants with appropriate emergency services, or advocating on their behalf to resolve issues. The worker ensures that tenants feel heard, supported, and safe within their housing environment.

• Community Support/Coordination of Services/Social Engagement

 Depending on the level of need/complexity of the tenant, Supportive Housing Workers support tenants on community outings and medical appointments. Tenants are also supported with accessing information and resources in the community such as day programs or other programs of choice. The need for social engagement and development of social networks is important. In collaboration with other team members, the Supportive Housing Worker supports to plan and facilitate activities and events onsite. The Supportive Housing Worker liaises/coordinates services with internal and external stakeholders to ensure needs are met. 

The Successful Candidates Require:

• A minimum of a Community College Diploma in a field relevant to the target population.  Higher level post-secondary education will be considered an asset.
• A minimum of 2 years direct or transferable experience suitable to working effectively with people with ABI in a community-based setting. 
• An understanding of medication processes is preferable.
• Knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served. 
• Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings. 
• Good crisis management and dispute resolution skills. 
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written). 
• Ability to multi-task.
• Well-developed computer skills (Word, E-mail, Internet). 
• Proven skills and/or understanding of how to manage challenging behaviors (Current CPI certification is preferable). 
• Demonstrated understanding of ABI symptoms and strategies. 
• Ability to develop crisis safety plans and goal plans with clients. 
• Ability to provide individual activities of daily living and other instrumental activities of daily living (i.e. cooking, cleaning, laundry).
• Experience working with people with mental health and/or addiction issues is an asset.

Application Details:

Please forward a cover letter and your current resume on or before September 18th, 2024 by 4:00 pm with the reference Job Posting EX293

Cota's Values & Commitment

Cota's core values of Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, 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 recognising 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 7rights 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.

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.