Housing Support Worker

**Housing Support Worker (Temporary Full Time)**

Aunt Leah’s Place is a non-profit organization that helps prevent children in foster care from becoming homeless and mothers in need from losing custody of their children. To support youth on their journey to self-sufficiency, we provide supported housing, job training, and coaching on essential life skills.

**Job Summary**:
As part of the Aunt Leah’s Society team, the **Housing Support Worker** is to ensure the safety and well-being of Participants, transitioning out of foster care, or at risk of homelessness on their journey to growth and self-sufficiency with one of the many goals being that of preventing homelessness.

This program offers shared and independent living in stable and affordable housing at the Lale House and two Supportive suites within the community. The Housing Support Worker will offer residents direct one to one, personalized training on life skills, offer educational guidance, employment training or referrals to other Aunt Leah’s programs. This position works alone.

The Housing Support Worker works from a strengths based approach and intervention; will also work to identify strengths, issues and areas of risks, and will assist, coach, motivate residents in establishing and maintaining their short -term and long term goals and strategies within program guidelines.

**Reports To**: Housing Coordinator

**Qualifications**:

- 1-2 years of post-secondary education in Child & Youth Care or equivalent with experience or a relevant combination of education and experience and general suitability.

**Requirements**:

- Undergo and maintain satisfactory Criminal Record Check & Local Police Information Check
- Follow Aunt Leah’s Code of Ethics
- Follow Aunt Leah’s Policies and Procedures
- Must have a valid Class 5 Driver’s License
- Access to your own vehicle and ability to produce a clear driving abstract
- Proof of business insurance and $5 million liability coverage
- First Aid Level C with CPR
- Food Safe
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Mental Health First Aid
- Addictions & Substance Use Training
- Overdose Rapid Response Training

**Skills and Knowledge**:

- Communication (Verbal & Written)
- Ability to follow and implement program policies and procedures
- Interpersonal Abilities & Team Work Skills
- Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness
- Problem-Solving/Reasoning/Creativity
- Crisis Management/Conflict resolution skills
- Ability to work independently
- Solid time management skills and ability to have a solid self-care plan
- Person Centered Approach
- Flexibility/Adaptability in managing multiple priorities
- Ability to work in a stressful environment
- Planning/Organizing & Budgeting Skills
- Report Writing & Documentation
- Ability to teach and mentor life-skills
- Computer/Technical Literacy
- Trauma Informed practice.
- Motivational Interviewing

**Key Duties and Responsibilities**:
**1. Direct Care (Including One to One Support)**: Supports, encourages and motivates participants, through developing a trusting relationship.Key areas of support are as follows:

- Parenting Skills: (how to support a family in a healthy manner, ages and stages of child development, etc.)
- Household maintenance (basic cooking skills, menu planning, house cleaning, laundry, personal hygiene, grocery shopping, etc.)
- Financial management (opening bank accounts, Child Tax benefit, daycare subsidies, filing income tax, paying bills, budgeting, saving, obtaining social insurance numbers, setting up direct deposit, etc.)
- Interpersonal skills (developing and maintaining healthy relationships, conflict resolution, seeking assistance and support from friends and professionals as necessary, etc.)
- Health and personal habits (training and education in basic health care, development of responsible sexual practices, accessing additional services such as Mental Health/A&D Counseling)
- Leisure activities (learning how to locate, use, develop and maintain healthy ways to utilize recreational time)
- Education/vocational upgrading (assistance and support in obtaining appropriate training, supporting participants in making contact with appropriate educational resources, Aunt Leah’s Place Supporting Education for Foster Youth, and school registration)
- Cultural Connectivity (assistance and support around connecting with their Heritage and participating in the cultural practices of their home (or identified home) communities.

**2. Direct Care (other)**:

- Ensures that Aunt Leah’s Lale House rules and policies are followed and implemented in a consistent manner
- Responsible for storage of food, meal planning and preparation according to the Aunt Leah’s Lale House policy and procedure manual
- Oversees and assists with young adults in meal preparation according to Canada Food Guide
- Completes additional cleaning duties as directed by Supervisor
- Diffuses any crisis situations
- Involved with tracking outcomes measurement (e.g. health and sa