Specialized Outreach Worker, Casual

**The Program**

Taproot Community Support Services (formerly WJS Canada) works to improve the lives of person in their communities through a variety of programs and services.

The Transition Outreach program offers transitional supported living services for at-risk youth/young adults with complex needs to transition, with continuity of supports, from MCFD services to CLBC services.

The program follows a Housing First model. This model dictates that the first priority is to secure safe, permanent, affordable housing as quickly as possible. It then provides the supportive services and connections to the community-based supports the youth need to maintain their housing and avoid homelessness.

The program offers and assists the youth in assessing and utilizing lower barrier supports. Supports will be easily accessible and user friendly. Workers will assist individuals in locating community supports that provide mínimal barriers in regards to paperwork, waiting lists and eligibility requirements.

INDIVIDUALS SERVED:
17 and 18-year-old youth and young adults aged 19-30 years with impaired intellectual functioning, FASD, Autism which affects their adaptive functioning. In addition, these youth also have to cope with additional multiple and complex challenges that put them at risk.

The youth may be disconnected from positive supports in family and community and require intensive, specialized support to work through their challenges. These challenges include substance misuse, homelessness, alienation from school, violence, physical and mental health, isolation, sexual exploitation, criminal activity and/or gang involvement.

**In Your Role You Will**
- Initiate contact with referred individuals. Assist manager with intake interviews and assess suitability for services. Assess support needs and formulate service plans with individuals.
- Make referrals to other programs, agencies and/or community resources as appropriate.
- Assist individuals to plan goals and provides support in accessing community, skill development, employment skills, guidance and emotional support. Monitor their well being and provide feedback and support to families of clients and other stakeholders in their lives.
- Recognize and analyze potential emergency situations and develop strategies to deal with them. Utilize their knowledge of persons with developmental disabilities, FAS/FAE and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder, develop service plans and front line instruction around crisis management, problem solving and community based instruction.
- Help individuals access resources in the community and provide referrals to services. Assist individuals to obtain temporary or permanent housing either directly or by coordinating with other agencies. Provide information that helps individuals make better-informed choices.
- Advocate for the individuals and assist them in self-advocacy.
- Review individuals’ progress and make reports regarding their daily activities and progress.
- Liaise with other agencies, professionals, ministry staff and the community.
- Develop Personalized Service Plans that are person centered and comprehensive in line with Dr. Shalock’s Quality of Life Indicators.
- Work to locate homeless individuals in the Surrey communities, that have no access to phones or point of contact to ensure their well-being and safety
- Think outside the box for possible solutions and finding available resources
- Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

**The Position**

The Specialized Outreach Worker identifies and provides specialized supports and interventions for persons with developmental disabilities, FAS/FAE and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder in an accredited agency. Supports and instruction focus on community inclusion skill development, social network and employment skills. The positions will provide services to clients within the Outreach program.

Once hired, Casual/On Call employees are contacted to work a variety of shifts (based on availability) to cover staff illness, LOA, vacation etc.

**Mandatory Pre-Employment Screenings and Checks**

** Prior to confirmation of employment, all applicants must provide a copy of a current Criminal Record Check and/or Government Screening Letter. These checks vary depending on province and sector and will be communicated by the Program Hiring Team.**
- A degree, diploma or certificate in one of the humanities, social work or related field. Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.
- Minimum of one year experience working with persons with a developmental disability, and sexualized behaviour
- Valid CPR/First Aid certificate (or ability to obtain prior to employment)
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate (i.e. MANDT) certification (or ability to obtain during probationary period)
- Must have consistent / reliable access to a computer/working printer/scanner/copier
- Cellular phone with data plan (compensation provided for business use of personal device)