Social Worker – Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST)
We are a dynamic community-based health centre promoting social justice and health equity in the Regent Park neighbourhood and Downtown East area of Toronto. We operate out of several locations and provide a wide variety of services including: primary health care, chiropody, physiotherapy, health promotion, social work, community health, immigrant and refugee services, harm reduction and homeless programs, Pathways to Education, infant and child development programs, parenting programs, youth outreach and employment services
Position Summary:
The Social Worker – Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) provides intensive, flexible, low threshold case management and outreach services to marginalized and vulnerable community members living with severe and persistent mental health and substance use issues, who are also experiencing homelessness, precarious housing and other complex physical health issues and situations.
You will be part of a specialized outreach team in the downtown east, comprised of harm reduction and community health workers, dedicated to building relationships with individuals experiencing multiple systemic barriers. The team will focus on engagement through outreach strategies and low threshold case management in order to build relationships with marginalized community members, including individuals who may be reluctant to receive service, who may experience barriers and stigma, and who may be identified as being at risk of, or actively engaged in victimizing other members of the community. You will also work as part of an inter-disciplinary team in a collaborative, integrated and flexible model of care.
This is a Full Time Contract Position, until December 31, 2024, 35 hours per week
Hourly Range: $37.36 to $ 45.01, plus opportunity to participate in a pension plan
This is a bargaining unit position within OPSEU Local 5115.
Salary
Hours
Application Deadline
Responsibilities and Tasks Include:
Outreach and Engagement:
- In collaboration with harm reduction team, conduct street-based outreach and outreach to community settings
- Provide harm reduction supplies, overdose prevention support and information on outreach and work in collaboration with the harm reduction team to design programs and outreach strategies
- Engage in relationship building and assess client support and service needs through collaborative discussion and rapport building
Case Management:
- Develop and maintain low barrier intake system for COAST referrals in collaboration with harm reduction coordinator;
- Work in collaboration with clients to explore and identify service needs and goals;
- Develop collaborative plan for support
- Provide intensive, low threshold case management supports that are flexible in nature, utilizing a variety of techniques and approaches that are strengths-based, client centred, culturally sensitive and appropriate to issues as identified by client;
- Attend and arrange case conferences and meetings with appropriate partners and community supports;
- Facilitate referrals for internal or external services, engaging in accompaniments where appropriate;
- Provide appropriate advocacy services as directed by the client.
Program Development and Small Group Work:
- Assist in informing ongoing program development, reporting and evaluation processes for COAST in collaboration with harm reduction coordinator and COAST team;
- Contribute to the overall goals of the Centre by working with other staff in designing and implementing programs and services as appropriate;
- Develop and assist in developing program(s) to meet needs identified by clients and/or the community by assessing needs, creating and structuring a program, expanding or linking with existing programs both onsite and in the community;
- Develop and implement small group work where appropriate;
- Conduct and complete small group or program evaluation.
Liaising/Networking with Community Groups and Organizations:
- Establish and maintain positive links with organizations and groups in the community;
- Engage with key stakeholder groups and participate at key tables, such as Downtown East FOCUS, representing the work of COAST and RPCHC in these settings;
- Work with community groups and organizations to identify service gaps and needs in the community;
- Network, liaise and jointly advocate with organizations and community groups addressing issues identified by clients and/or the community.
Preparing Documentation:
- Ensure appropriate documentation including assessment notes, progress notes and correspondence are completed and maintained within the safeguard of confidentiality, including obtaining required consents to disclosure;
- Complete and provide statistical data as required.
Qualifications and Skills required:
- Minimum of 4-5 years full-time experience doing similar work with similar populations;
- MSW trained or equivalent education in health/social services;
- Registered member in good standing of the OCSWSSW;
- Minimum 3 years demonstrated case management experience and strong counselling skills;
- Experience working in low threshold models and settings and providing low threshold case management services
- Excellent understanding of and commitment to harm reduction practices and principles;
- Experience engaging in street outreach;
- Awareness of and sensitive to the physical and mental health issues of disenfranchised and marginalized populations;
- Understanding of impacts of systemic oppression on marginalized individuals and communities;
- Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed practice;
- Extensive experience with crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution
- Proficiency in the use of computers and Electronic Health Records;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills;
- Experience in group work, program development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation considered assets;
- Understanding of and commitment to anti-oppression and anti-racism principles;
- Excellent teamwork skills including inter-professional teams
- Knowledge of the Regent Park area and issues affecting the downtown east
- Must have up to date vaccination for the protection of clients and staff
Regent Park CHC is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. Applications are encouraged from qualified individuals who are Indigenous people, members of racialized communities, individuals of diverse sexual orientation and gender identification, persons with disabilities and others protected under the Human Rights Code as well as individuals with lived experience in the Regent Park community.
To protect the health and well-being of our clients and employees, Regent Park Community Health Centre has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy that requires that new employees have an up to date, Health Canada approved, COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with valid medical or human rights-based exemptions will be considered for appropriate accommodation within the policy.
Apply For This Position
Please submit your resume and cover letter by
August 11, 2024
No phone calls, please. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. RPCHC is committed to developing an inclusive, selection process and work environment. If contacted, please advise the hiring manager if you require any accommodation during the interview process.