Youth in Transition Counsellor

The John Howard Society of Durham Region has an exciting opportunity for you. If you have a passion to support youth with resources and services who have been engaged in or are transitioning from the child welfare system, please check out our current vacancy.

**Youth in Transition (YIT) Counsellor FIXED TERM**

**Division: Youth Services**

**Work Status: Full-Time**

**Location: Durham Region (office is based in Whitby)**

**About the Role**

The Youth in Transition Worker is a Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services funded position to assist youth 15-20 years of age who are current Crown and Society Wards of Durham Children’s Aid Society to transition successfully from care to independent living within their respective community. Services are driven by the youth, targeted and focused, responsive to individual needs, and sensitive to the social, linguistic and cultural diversity of youth. The YIT Worker will also support youth to connect to existing supports and resources within their communities including, housing supports, education resources, employment services and training, life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management), health and mental health services, and legal services.

**You will be working on things like:
**Service User Support**
- You will be responsive to the youth’s needs and goals as they transition from children and youth services to adult services. You will develop individual plans to meet their goals: goals may include affordable housing, family relationships, social relationships and supports, recreational and leisure activities, life skills, education, health and employment needs.
- Will meet with youth through various means including in the community, online, etc. YIT services are expected to be provided flexibly, at times that meet the needs of youth, and that are consistent with the identified needs and goals of youth.
- Support youth to develop and maintain relationships with responsible, caring adults in the community to help them as they transition to adulthood.
- Transport clients to community appointments, as appropriate
- Utilize a trauma informed approach to support youth
- Role model appropriate healthy relationships including boundary setting, labelling emotions, communicating respectfully, etc
- Mediate and advocate with other service providers where appropriate

**Case Management/Documentation**
- Carry an ongoing caseload of up to approximately 20 clients per year
- Conduct intake/assessment of the clients’ needs pertaining to their successful transition to adult services
- Collaborate with Durham CAS workers/youth workers, significant other agencies, services, and individuals in the lives of transitioning youth
- Complete Incident Reports and Serious Occurrence Reports as per Ministry Guidelines

**Community Liaison Functions**
- Work with local community agencies to both inform them of the YIT program, and also to become aware of the services available in the community to refer clients.
- Receive referrals from designated Supervisors with the Durham Children’s Aid Society
- Establish contact with CAS workers in preparation for the exchange of information pertaining to the needs of the youth
- Participate in community and program meetings as appropriate
- Bridge clients from child welfare agency and systems to independent adult community
- Foster communication and linkages with community agencies/ organizations to improve access and mitigate barriers to services for eligible youth.

**Administrative**
- Will maintain flexible hours to accommodate youth requiring services
- Maintain up to date statistical data as per Ministry requirements
- Submit statistical data to supervisor
- Submit cash requests, mileage forms as required
- Keep up to date case notes
- Attend all program staff meetings, and agency meetings as assigned

**If you have the following we would love to hear from you**
- Post
- secondary Diploma or degree in social sciences required. Preference for Social/Human Service Counselling diplomas, Child/Youth Worker, or BSW programs.
- Experienced in support, de-escalation, and crisis intervention skills
- Strong understanding of the unique and diverse youth within the child welfare system.
- Have a passion for working with youth and compassion for the challenges they have faced
- Experience being an amazing role model and/or mentor for youth
- Awareness of community resources relevant to population
- Demonstrates punctuality and accountability with their time
- Contributes to the program strategy
- Open to supervision and feedback, works collaboratively
- Acts with integrity
- Meets established deadlines
- Manages program and agency change in a positive manner
- Valid Class G driver's license with appropriate 2 million liability insurance required
- Valid Standard First Aid/CPR Certification
- Crisis Intervention training and certification
- ASIST Certification is an asset
- Satisfactory Police/Vulnerable Sector Che