HousingFirstisanalternativetoasystemofemergencyshelter/transitionalhousingprogressions.
Ratherthanmovinghomelessindividualsthroughdifferent"levels"ofhousing,HousingFirstmoves
thehomelessindividualorhouseholdimmediatelyfromthestreetsorhomelesssheltersintotheir
ownapartments.Clientswilllikelypresentwithcomplexandcompoundinghealth-relatedconcerns.
Typicaldemographicswillhave a seriousmentalillnessthatisoftenaccompaniedbysubstanceabuse,
historyofinvolvementinthecriminaljusticesystemandchronicphysicalillness.Amulti-disciplinary
andteamprovidesaservicethatisbasedonintensivecasemanagementandassertiveoutreach.
Requirements
Responsibilities
Provideinvivofollow-upsupport,assistance,andbasicskilltrainingtohigh-riskadultmen,womenandfamiliesinordertoestablishandmaintainanindependentandstablelivingthe situationwithinthecommunitythattheyhavebeenrecentlyhousedin.
Assistclientsinaminimum12-monthtimeframefromintaketograduationwiththe goaloflongtermhousingsustainability
Brokerclientwithexistingcommunityservicesincluding,identificationacquisition,medicalattention,legalresources,andincomeassistance.
Implementharmreductionstrategies.Clientsdonothavetobecleanandsobertoengageintheprogram.
Workanintensivecaseloadof12clientsperone-workerratio(caseloadsize)
Documentingallobjectiveinteractionswithclients,whetherbyphoneorface-to-face,onHIFIS.
Ensurethatallassessmentsandreportsarecompletedinatimelymannerbeforethe15thof
everymonth
ReportdirectlytoTeamLeaderandorExecutiveDirectorforclarificationandmajordecision
making
Keepstrackofallexpensereportingincludingkmtrackinganddirectclientcostsaswellas
clientutilityarrearsandbillsandhandinonaconsistentbasis
Responsiblefordevelopingprofessionaltimemanagementwhileworkinginthecommunity
Withrespecttoclient/landlorddisagreementwillsupportbothclientandlandlordobjectively
withnobiastowardeitherone
Musthave a personalmotorvehicleandvaliddriverslicensetotransportclientstoandfrom
servicesinthecommunity
Qualifications
- Demonstratesknowledge/familiaritywithrelatedresourcessuchasmentalhealthsystems,medicalsystemandrelatedagencies,incomesupportsystemandrelatedagenciesandaddictionsupportorganizations.
- Willingtoworkmainlyinthecommunityandindependently.
- Demonstratessuitabilitytoworkwithdisadvantagedandchallengingadultsindiverseenvironments.
- Demonstratesabilitytocommunicateeffectivelybothverballyandinwriting.
- Demonstratesphysical/mentalabilitytoperformthedutiesofthejob.
- Demonstratesabilitytodealwithotherseffectively
- DemonstratesabilitytooperaterelatedItEquipment.
- Demonstratesabilitytoorganizeworkandtimemanagementskills
- Demonstratesabilitytounderstandandmaintainclient/workerboundaries.
- B.A./B.S.W./B.Edorequivalent;or3-5yearsminimumofrelevantexperience.
- EnthusiasmforbeingpartofthesolutiontoendhomelessnessinFredericton.
- Passionforworkingwithmarginalizedindividuals;excitedaboutbeingacatalystofchangeinpeopleslives.
- Musthavetheabilitytoempathizewiththoseexperiencingsignificantbarriersintheirlives.Asignificantunderstandingoftheissuesofpovertyisessential.
- Understandingofandpassionforhousingfirstprogramsandpolicies.
- Abletoshowademonstratedcommitmenttotheagencysmissionandvalues,policiesand guidelines.
Benefits
A competitive Salary, a portion of mileage to be covered. Benefits will be provided after 3 months of employment.
Responsibilities -Actively engage individuals in the community setting; Assist individuals in securing appropriate accommodation, obtaining household items, and organizing the move into the housing unit; -Support individuals to understand and fulfill tenant rights and responsibilities; -Develop and maintain positive relationships with private and commercial landlords; Conduct initial and quarterly psychosocial assessments (including assessments of mental illness, response to treatment, drug and alcohol use, community functioning); -Develop and implement individualized service plans, in collaboration with the individual, based on the psychosocial assessment which may include WRAP, relapse prevention, and behavioural symptom management techniques; -Develop professional relationships with clients and maintain a caseload of 15-20 -Conduct regular "face-to-face" and home visits; -Ensure that individuals are linked to health and addiction and mental health services; Assist individuals with obtaining employment, and/or establishing benefits, and/or educational opportunities; Assist individuals with maintaining medication and treatment regimens including accompanying individuals to appointments with health, addiction and mental health, and other care providers; -Utilize a harm reduction, client-focused, and strengths-based model of care; Provide ongoing case management services that will ensure successfully permanent housing, decrease social isolation, and prevent relapse risk; -Respond to urgent requests for assistance from individuals or landlords -Participate in all meetings with collaborative agencies, and other community meetings as directed; -Maintain current case notes and other documentation in client case files; -Compile statistics for monthly reports; and Qualifications -University degree or college diploma in Social Science or in Family or Human Services, with emphasis on mental health and addiction with work experience in this field; -Experience with and/or lived experience with marginalized populations with the ability to empathize with a wide variety of challenging experiences in a caring, non-judgmental manner -Familiarity with the Recovery Model of Care and Trauma-Informed Care Ability to work independently, interdependently and cooperatively in a busy multidisciplinary situation -Ability to manage priorities and able to meet deadlines with excellent organizational skills -Bilingual is an asset (We encourage applications from French-speaking candidates) -Excellent interpersonal/communication/listening skills with motivational interviewing skills -Ability to meet the physical challenges required by the job (i.e. may be required to work alone with limited resources, provide outreach by walking around town in a variety of weather conditions, assist clients with moving, etc.) -A car and a valid driver's license is required as client transportation may be required. The successful candidate would have to provide proof that s/he has a valid driver's license upon being hired. -All successful candidates will undergo a criminal history clearance and security clearance -Basic CPR/First Aid/ ASIST are assets