Family and Natural Supports Worker

**Family and Natural Supports Worker (Youth Reconnect)**
**2 year Contract (including benefits), with possibility of extension**

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of 24-7 services to about 350 young people each day.

As a national leader, we educate and advocate for long-term change to improve the lives of vulnerable youth. This includes influencing public policy, leading awareness and prevention programs and continually building and sharing our knowledge. As a learning organization, we strive for excellence and programs with impact.

More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer housing options, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

Thanks to our donors, who contribute almost 80 per cent of our $33 million annual operating budget, we are able to deliver these comprehensive programs and services.

Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 95,000 young people.

**Position Overview**:
Youth Reconnect is an ‘upstream’ homelessness prevention initiative. The purpose of the program is to help young people (ages 14-18) stay engaged in school by helping to stabilize their living situation. By working to address issues at home that are producing the risk of homelessness such as family conflict, or through helping young people who can no longer stay at home find housing and support options in their community, the aim is to mitigate homelessness. Partnering with schools and child welfare agencies, Youth Reconnect will focus on meeting the needs of youth that identify as Black and/or 2SLGBTQ.

As part of the Youth Reconnect program team, the Family and Natural Supports Worker recognizes the unique role of family relationships and networks in promoting well-being and mitigating the risks of homelessness. The successful incumbent will bring a specialised skill set to support youth in the context of their family relationships.

This position will report to the Manager, Prevention Initiatives

**Key responsibilities**:

- Work collaboratively with youth referred by schools, child welfare agencies, and other community agencies, to identify and engage family members and chosen supports
- Provide family and individual counselling to support youth and their families and chosen supports improve relationships, mitigate risk factors, and resolve conflict
- Use a Collaborative, Family System and Ecological assessment approach to support the determination of goals
- Provide services in locations convenient to youth and their family members and chosen supports (such as schools, family homes, and other community settings)
- In collaboration with Youth Reconnect Workers link youth and families to specialized services (e.g., financial support, housing programs, mental health, addictions) as required
- Facilitate group based activities, workshops and presentations as required
- Work with stakeholders and partners to develop and promote this new specialized youth service
- Contribute to analysis and evaluation of the program
- Maintain all required documentation (including client files, case notes, and assessments and evaluation tools to support the research and evaluation of the program)

**Qualifications**:

- BSW or MSW, or degree in a counseling related field, or equivalent in education and experience.
- Registration with the College of Registered Psychotherapists (CRPO) or The Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)
- 3 years’ experience working with youth and/or families
- Ability to advocate for, and promote, homelessness prevention
- Demonstrated ability in working with a trauma informed, harm reduction approach and from an anti-oppression and culturally competent perspective/framework is essential
- Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills and ability to work independently
- Understanding of issues related to youth homelessness, Anti-Black Racism, LGBTQ2S identities, mental health and substance use problems and disorders, and developmental and learning disabilities
- Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth at-risk of experiencing homelessness
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evening hours is required
- A valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle is an asset
- At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some spec