Grace Inn is an emergency shelter and transitional house located in Belleville, Ontario, serving as the frontline support for those who identify themselves as experiencing homelessness and coming out of homelessness.
The Case Worker facilitates the path to success for the guests and residents of Grace Inn Shelter and Shiloh House. The Case Worker will work within two separate programs the Systems Navigation program out of the shelter and the case management program out of the transition house. This position maintains strong relationships between community partners and guests/residents to oversees a housing-focused and person-centred approach in the management and creation of action plans. It is a responsibility of this role to create appropriate action plans and link guests/residents to supports that remove identified barriers, reflect an individual’s unique priorities and bridges service gaps. It is essential that the Case Worker accurately case note and communicate pertinent information to the Frontline Team as it is critical to a guest/resident being provided consistent and appropriate support, during all points of programming.
The end goal for the Case Worker is to facilitate the guests/residents in gaining appropriate and adequate life skills to be successful in reaching their goals. This role provides advocacy, workshop facilitation, connection to mental health and/or substance use services, links guests/residents to housing, health and all other supportive services as needed.
The Case Worker fulfills the mission of Grace Inn by maintaining a high level of professionalism, respect and gratitude with all staff, donors, volunteers, community partners and visitors.
TRANSITIONAL HOUSE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CASE WORKER POSITION
· Meet with Shiloh House residents, to develop unique action plans as it related to the success of their participation of the transitional housing program.
· Plan, develop and implement relevant life skills workshops for the residents to participate in weekly to enhance the success.
· Partner with local agencies, businesses and professional to create working relationships, in order to provide enhanced learning opportunities for the residents.
· Facilitate weekly meetings with residents allowing for residents to express personal and program concerns, growth and successes related to their Personal Action Plan.
· Manage resident case load that is flexible to assist individual in immediate needs, as it relates to service barriers and communication comprehension support.
· Accompany residents, when needed, to offsite meetings where appropriate.
· Operating with a person-centred approach, support warm transfers when necessary with externally coordinated community partners.
· Identify and respond to residents’ conflicts and disputes, disruptive behaviour or breach of Participation Agreement in partnership with the Properties Coordinator
· In partnership with Properties Coordinator facilitate End of Agreement meetings to inform and/or support the resident in successful or unsuccessful ending of the resident’s participation agreement.
SHELTER SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CASE WORKER POSITION
· Meet with all guests of the shelter, to assess and develop unique action plans that connect them to appropriate external support services in the community.
· Work alongside guests, to self-identify service gaps and barriers that prevent an individual from securing alternative permanent housing.
· Motivate and empower guests to take initiative and responsibility in the development and progress of the created action plan, where appropriate.
· Take on the position of liaison between Grace Inn and community partners, supporting the communication of service provision on the behalf of the guest and the organization.
· Create and manage a guest case load that is flexible to assist individual in immediate needs, as it relates to service barriers and communication comprehension support.
· Ensure the Frontline Team is aware of any communication that might impact the provision of nightly service and support to a guest.
COMBINED RESPONSIBILITIES
· Maintaining a high level of professionalism, respect and gratitude with all staff, donors, volunteers, community partners and visitors.
· Maintain the confidentiality of all clients, staff, volunteers and agency information
· Be familiar with Coordinated Access and the By Names List structure and actively contribute to the Hastings County BNL and Coordinated Access
· Contribute to the accountability of partnership projects such as the Hastings County After Hours line
· Maintain and demonstrate appropriate boundaries with guests/residents, staff and volunteers
· Participate in agency functions/meetings as either a participant or presenter as needed
· Accurately case note and share necessary communication with all parties involved in the success of a guest/resident’s action and care plan.
· Refer guests/residents to appropriate resources and agencies for their presenting issues and concerns.
· Demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of community resources, goal planning, life skills development and support.
· Support guests/residents in filling out documentation as it relates to housing, personal identification, and medical (treatment, medical documentation and Health Care Connect).
· Report and accurately track the data collected as it relates to case management and communicate common barriers and service gaps, as they are identified to the Director of Operations
· Remain up to date on guests/resident’s case notes and be aware of the activity within the shelter pertaining to guests/residents, service limitation, and upcoming residents move outs.
QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or related field, (OR) Social Service Worker Diploma with 2 years experience working with homeless populations preferred.
· Two years in related experience with case management services, housing, homeless and working with marginalized populations.
· Highly motivated self-starter, with the ability to coordinate multiple projects/tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.
· Ability to work with diverse communities and exercise mature judgment.
· Knowledge of community and social service resources with Hastings County and surrounding areas.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
· Computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office
· Sensitivity to the needs & issues of homeless persons, persons living with trauma, persons with disabilities, (mental illness, alcohol and other drug problems, etc.)
· Tolerance of stressful situations and the ability to deal with stress constructively
· Non-Violent Crisis Intervention an asset.
PREFERRED SKILLS
· Understanding of, and commitment to, the use of harm reduction strategies in the provision of services.
· Understanding of, and commitment to, the use of evidence-based practices, including housing-first, trauma-informed care and crisis intervention.
· Commitment to active guest involvement in action plan development and the design and delivery of support services.
· Creative, dynamic, flexible and resourceful personality with the ability to infuse staff and guests with enthusiasm.
· Sensitivity to the needs and issues of those who are experiencing homelessness, living with trauma, persons with disabilities, (mental illness, alcohol and other drug problems, etc.)
· Tolerance of stressful situations and the ability to deal with stress constructively.
WORKPLACE HAZARDS
· May encounter high acuity individuals.
· May be required to perform duties such as cleaning and sanitizing of bodily fluids.
· May be required to respond to guest/residents’ overdose and other medical situations.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $26.00-$28.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
- French not required
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Night shift
- No weekends
- On call
Education:
- AEC / DEP or Skilled Trade Certificate (preferred)
Experience:
- Community Navigation: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person