Housing First for Youth Case Manager

INTRODUCTION

The Refuge is a Christian not-for-profit community called to show Jesus Christ’s love and kindness to the youth of our community through practical and compassionate means of intervention and prevention. While we offer programs that meet basic needs (food and clothing), our real purpose is to create a community where youth experiencing homelessness can come to be loved, nurtured, encouraged, be safe and find a place to belong... a community in which youth can encounter Christ and find healing.

The Housing First for Youth (HF4Y) Program of The Refuge uses a HF4Y approach to work with youth who qualify for the program. Housing First is an evidence based housing philosophy documented in the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s “At Home/Chez Soi” project. It uses the key components of immediate access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements, client choice and self-determination, recovery oriented, individualized and client driven supports, and social and community integration. The Refuge’s HF4Y Program seeks to model these five components.

The Refuge is currently seeking to fill the position of Housing First for Youth Case Manager. The HF4Y Case Manager will work with youth using the HF4Y approach to house youth and keep them housed.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• The HF4Y Case Manager position requires clear leadership qualities with a strong self initiative, willingness to accept accountability, to work with little guidance, to project an image of professionalism, to be an example to others and to be supportive of the whole team.
• Should have appropriate educational experiences either by formal training or by informal life experiences. Ideally the position requires a person with a degree or diploma in Social Services, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology, or has prior working and/or life experience.
• Trauma Informed Care training/experience is an asset.
• A level of creativity is required to generate new ideas, proposals and procedures.
• Possess knowledge and have core competencies in the history of homelessness.
• Understand the poverty impact on life, affordable housing, mental health, health, addictions and treatment, harm reduction, housing and tenancy legislation and income and support benefits.
• Has a working knowledge of corrections, domestic violence, FASD, children services, brain injuries and medication.
• Has practical knowledge of Motivational Interviewing and active listening, the stages of change, teaching and modeling behaviour.
• Understands the need to respect privacy and confidentiality.
• Is compassionate, patient and a practitioner of good self and soul care.
• Has a high level of integrity and trust.
• Must possess a valid diver's license (G2 or G) and have regular access to a vehicle (mileage provided)

DUTIES:

• Conduct Intensive Case Management to a caseload of up to 7 high acuity youth.
• Perform intake assessments for HF4Y program candidates using the TAY-VI-SPDAT and the VI-SPDAT tools.
• Perform quarterly assessments for HF4Y participants using the SPDAT tool.
• Assist program participants in housing search and procurement.
• Collaborate with the program participant in the formulation of a comprehensive service plan that aligns with a HF4Y philosophy that is reviewed and modified with the program participant on a regular basis.
• Perform weekly and ongoing home visits with program participants.
• Provide outreach, case-management, counseling, advocacy and other needed services to clients.
• Maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete program documentation (including case notes, statistics, letters, acuity ratings, etc). HIFIS training/experience is an asset.
• Assist program participants to manage their money to ensure housing stability.
• Coordinate/monitor referrals to mainstream community services.
• Educate, inform and advocate for program participants regarding benefits and entitlements (OW, ODSP, etc.).
• Work with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency team to provide desired social and clinical services to program participants.
• Participate in case conferencing as needed, understanding youth choice and self-determination as the leading part of advocacy.
• Ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory standards.
• Assist program participants towards self-sufficient living.
• Other related work as assigned.