Caseworker - Managed Alcohol Program - Temporary

Caseworker at MAP/Ahkwatsire

Contract: Full time, temporary

**About PAQ**:
Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ) is a not-for-profit organization offering shelter and culturally adapted activities and services to homeless and at-risk First Nations, Inuit, and Métis women and men. Located in downtown Montreal, our center provides emergency shelter and a hot dinner and light breakfast 365 nights a year for 16 women and 36 men. PAQ’s transitional housing program offers 16 studio apartments for Indigenous women and men at risk of homelessness, or who are in search of a stable living environment. PAQ provides a sense of belonging and trust developed through community events, psycho-social and crisis support, access to legal and health services, and indigenous cultural and arts programs.

**About the Managed Alcohol Program (MAP)**:
In order to meet the needs of the community, PAQ has launched a pilot residential community managed alcohol program that aims to reduce the barriers to access supportive housing and reduce the acute, chronic, and social harms associated with alcohol addiction. This project will provide the option for long-term supportive housing with an on-site managed alcohol program for 8 to 10 persons from the indigenous community that are experiencing homelessness and severe alcohol dependencies in Montreal.

**The role**:
Reporting to the Clinical Services Manager, while working closely with the Transition and Intervention staff, the Caseworker aims to provide critical psycho-social support to First Nations, Metis and Inuit women and men living in the transitional housing of Projets Autochtones du Québec.

As case worker, the person in this role will meet regularly to support the residents of the Transitional Housing programmes individually and in groups, to develop abilities and skills required for living autonomously and maintaining a sobriety. They will promote a healthy lifestyle and provide counselling and intervention support on various immediate and longer-term social and psychological issues such as housing, health care, employment, finances, and other basic needs. The case worker uses a culturally adapted approach that encompasses Indigenous traditions, culture, and world view. By encouraging residents to develop within the PAQ community, performing mediation, when necessary, between residents the Transitional Caseworker helps foster the creation of a safe and welcoming community. Mental health issues, conjugal and other forms of violence may be part of the caseload that requires solid crisis management skills.

**Duties and Responsibilities**:

- Provide holistic and comprehensive clinical case management service to shelter participants and outside referrals using a culturally adapted trauma informed approach. Intervention services include:

- intake assessment
- accompaniment and referrals
- goal setting
- long
- and short-term case plan development
- progress monitoring and follow-up.
- Organise and facilitate rehabilitation activities based on the needs of residents and according to established standards and procedures.
- Design with participants intervention or action plans tailored to their individuals needs and that meet their objectives.
- Build knowledge and networks of other partner services, programs, and resources to support referrals, and follow-up.
- Establish a bond of trust with participants through active listening and positive interactions
- Represent PAQ on relevant external committees
- Assist Residents in the integration of the house and programme.
- Provide guidance and support to front line intervention staff when implementing action plans.
- Assist in the evaluation of all residents' needs.
- Maintain clinical case files.
- Update and manage statistics and produce monthly activity reports.

**Other**:

- Infuses a spirit of excellence and innovation within PAQ culture and working environment.
- Promotes PAQ’s values at work and externally
- Other duties, as assigned

**Required Values and Attributes**:

- Demonstrate understanding and commitment to reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous peoples
- Personal qualities of integrity, empathy, and dedication to PAQ’s mission
- Able to problem solve and demonstrate persistence in resolving issues

**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**:

- Minimum 2 years experience and training counselling individuals, groups and families with substance use and concurrent disorder issues
- Minimum 1 year experience working in a similar intervention/social work role or other related fields, preferably within the Indigenous community sector
- Working knowledge of the mental health and addictions system of care, including a comprehensive understanding of current approaches to substance abuse and mental health treatment.
- Bilingualism: proficient in spoken French and English; knowledge of an Indigenous language is a significant asset
- Oustanding ability to motivate and to inspire others to participate and engage.
- Knowledge and