Case Support Worker

**Title**: Case Support Worker -Harm Reduction Housing
**Hours**: Full-time
**Location**: 962 Bloor St W. and in the Community
**Supervisor**: Director of Programs and Services, or their designates

**Sistering** is a multi-service agency for at-risk, socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are homeless or precariously housed. Our harm reduction philosophy is a core element of all the work we do. We operate on a trauma-informed and relationship-based model.

Our programs include a low-barrier 24/7 Drop In, Housing and Case Support, Harm Reduction, Peer Outreach, on-site Medical Clinic, On the Path to Employment and Spun Studio social enterprise. During COVID our 24/7 Drop In runs as one of the City Respite Centres, providing essential services.

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The Case Support Worker -Harm Reduction Housing (CSW-HRH) provides intensive case management, harm reduction support and resources to women who access the harm reduction program. This position focuses on stabilizing tenancies of women currently in Sistering housing partnerships, and supporting women in the harm reduction program to access new housing with available rent supplements. The CSW-HRH utilizes knowledge on harm reduction to coordinate and support peers. This position brings a commitment to advocacy and social justice issues.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Program:_
- Work productively and collaboratively within a team to provide case management, referrals, housing and advocacy support to women from the harm reduction community
- Provide individual support to women using case support, informal counselling and trauma-informed interventions
- Work with Harm Reduction Coordinators and harm reduction participants and peers to explore, support, and create opportunities for harm reduction programming including kit making sessions, recreational and art programs and evening/morning drop in programs
- Support housing partnerships from a harm reduction framework
- Support housing access for women in the harm reduction program
- Provide proactive housing stabilization supports
- Provide eviction prevention and re-housing support services
- Conduct community mapping to connect newly housed individuals to their communities
- Build and maintain responsive relationships with landlords to troubleshoot and support the resolution of tenancy issues, mediating when required
- Identify, intervene and effectively deal with emergency, crisis and conflict situations
- Administration:_
- Maintain accurate case management records and complete statistical and qualitative reporting as required by funder and supervisor
- Write reports, maintain up to date files, and prepare monthly statistics
- Participate in staff meetings and agency committees
- Participate in regular supervision meetings
- Advocacy and Community Building:_
- Provide advocacy services on behalf of Sistering participants and with other agencies
- Collaborate with service users to identify directions and methods for social change
- Develop and engage in advocacy in order to address systemic issues of homelessness and poverty
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships within the team, across teams and with community partners/agencies
- Work in partnership with women, community groups, coalitions and agencies to develop strategies for community action and prevention programs

**Other duties as assigned**

**QUALIFICATIONS**:

- Educational background in social work/social services/human services work or equivalent combined work/ lived experience
- Experience working in programs serving women with complex intersecting needs including homelessness, mental health issues, addictions and histories of trauma
- An understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty and marginalization
- Strong understanding of client-centered, trauma-informed and anti-oppression practices
- Demonstrated commitment to, and understanding of, principles of harm reduction and low barrier service delivery
- Strong understanding of housing systems and policies with up-to-date knowledge of emerging trends and changes; knowledge of the RTA.
- Experience working in a low barrier drop-in or similar environment
- Understanding of peer led models of engagement and experience working with peer workers
- Proven ability to provide case support and advocacy to women from a feminist and anti-oppression framework
- Thorough knowledge of and experience with community-based resources and services including housing, legal, income support, health, mental health and settlement
- Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build effective relationships with participants, team members and community partners
- Skilled in crisis intervention, de-escalation, conflict resolution and group facilitation
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Strong problem-solving, team building and priority setting skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with Pirouette an asset
- Additional la