Case Support Worker -Access and Connection (Contract)

at  Sistering

Title: Case Support Worker - Access and Connection
Term: March 2024 to November 1, 2024
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Location: 962 Bloor St West and Occasional accompaniments in the community
Supervisor: Program Manager
Sistering is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed. Our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do. We operate on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model. Our programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, on-site Medical Clinic and Spun Studio social enterprise.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Access and Connection Community Support Worker (AC-CSW) works in the Case Support program and provides services aimed at connecting Sistering participants to Case Support and Harm Reduction programs, and to external resources.
The AC-CSW is located in the Drop-in and serves as the first point of contact for individuals looking for supports beyond the scope of the Drop-in team. The role requires a unique ability to provide trauma informed, low barrier, anti-oppressive and harm reduction services while operating in an access, assessment, and connection function. The successful candidate will bring a commitment to advocacy and social justice issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work/social services/human services work or equivalent education and relevant lived experience
• Experience working in programs serving women and trans people with complex intersecting needs including homelessness, mental health issues, addictions and histories of trauma
• Strong understanding of client-centered, trauma-informed and anti-oppression practices
• Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, principles of harm reduction and low barrier service delivery
• Proven ability to provide case support and advocacy to women and trans people from a feminist and anti-oppressive perspective
• Thorough knowledge of and experience with community-based resources and services including housing, legal, income support, health, mental health and settlement
• An understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty and marginalization
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with participants, team members and community partners
• Skilled in crisis intervention, de-escalation, conflict resolution and group facilitation
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and in teams
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize issues within a complex work environment
• Additional languages besides English is an asset
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working with Pirouette an asset

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program:

• Connect with new and existing participants who identify interest in case support services or are identified by other Sistering programs as benefitting from case support services
• Facilitate the connection of new and existing participants to Case support, harm reduction, and external services with a ‘warm transfer’ approach, where possible
• Provide informal counselling and support
• Conduct low barrier and non-invasive intake conversations
• Resolve time limited case support requests ex. phone calls to income support staff, probation officers, referrals to primary care, shelter, immigration + settlement resources, counselling
• Provide resource referral information
• Liaise with hospitals and jails/prisons where service navigation benefits Sistering participants
• Liaise with LHIN funded health and home care agencies where service navigation benefits Sistering participants
• Monitor drop-in log and attend O/N (a.m) and afternoon log once per week, respectively, to facilitate communication

Administration:

• Keep up to date with relevant community referrals, resources and application processes; initiate relevant referrals to external agencies
• Practice effective needs assessments and creative problem solving with participants
• Orient new participants to Sistering programs and how to access
• Work with program staff to establish a safe and supportive environment to all participants
• Identify, intervene and effectively deal with emergency, crisis and conflict situations
• Develop and maintain good team relationship within and across teams
• Maintain accurate case management records and complete statistical and qualitative reporting as required by funder and supervisor
• Complete case notes and required clinical assessments in a timely manner
• Collaborate with service users to identify directions and methods for social change
• Provide advocacy services on behalf of Sistering participants and with other agencies
• Develop and engage in advocacy in order to address systemic issues of homelessness and poverty
• Work on different shifts as required
• Manage complex schedule; keep staff attendance calendar up to date and reflective of location in the community
• Participating in staff meetings, training and development opportunities, agency committees and supervision.
• Supervise students and volunteers
• Support the work of Sistering
• Perform the responsibilities of the position consistent with the policies of Sistering
• Perform the responsibilities of the position within the legislative and regulatory standards set out in the applicable Acts.

Advocacy and Community Building:

• Collaborate with participants to identify directions and methods for social change
• Develop and engage in advocacy in order to address systemic issues of homelessness and poverty