Life Skills Worker

**About Us**:
The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association (FRAFCA) is a rapidly growing Indigenous community-based organization, serving BC’s largest urban Indigenous population of children, youth, families & Elders. Our Vision is to build _**a community of strong, healthy, successful Indigenous people connected to each other and to their roots **_by fostering their health & well-being through culturally relevant services, support, and advocacy

**Why FRAFCA**:

- Opportunity to work alongside cultural knowledge keepers & Elders;
- Chance to obtain program specific certifications;
- Holistic, culturally safe, approaches to serving our clients and community;
- Freedom to share and observe own cultural practices (i.e. smudging in the office);
- Parking available on-site;
- Extended Health Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Travel) and Employee Assistance Plan after 3-month continuous employment;
- Paid sick/personal leave days;
- Paid vacation days;
- Offices located along main transportation routes; main office by the Skytrain station.

**Job Summary**:
In accordance with the established vision and values of FRAFCA, reporting to the Wellness Program Manager, this position is a member of a multi-disciplinary Mental Health and Substance Use Team in a Complex Care Housing setting providing a comprehensive array of services within a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) framework to adults with serious and persistent mental illness and/or within a harm reduction framework for those with substance use problems/disorders and who experience severe challenges in daily living as a result. This position will provide these services offering a variety of rehabilitative and treatment modalities inclusive of outreach, community and residential care.

**Role and Responsibilities**:
1. Collaborate with the counsellors in the program to ensure additional support for clients, along with risk assessment and crisis intervention for individuals who experience severe challenges in daily living as a result of their mental illness and/or substance use problems/disorders. Reports sudden or unexpected changes in client status to coordinator / primary therapist / counsellor.

2. Participates in the development, coordination, implementation of a treatment plan via a PSR methodology for assigned clients as a member of the multidisciplinary team. Participates in a process of establishing priorities and outcome evaluation in case reviews by attending meetings, client care conferences and providing input on the individuals progress in achieving established goals, standards and outcomes in their mental health care.

3. Provides support that is inclusive of: access to food, housing, medical care, social/recreation activities, supported work and employment opportunities. Assists residents to develop skills related to personal care, nutrition, household management, money management and communication/interpersonal skills.

4. Participates in psychosocial rehabilitation and/or addictions recovery activities in the residence and/or in the community. Provides support and assistance to clients to develop natural supports in their community such as arranging for clients to be transported to programs/services, assisting clients to attend appointments, and implementing programs.

5. Supports, develops and maintains positive working relationships with all agencies and service sectors that provide services for those with mental illness and/or substance use problems/disorders.

6. Provides support and advocacy services, such as supporting clients in the legal system, refers clients to services and follow-up to ensure they are receiving the care that is required.

7. Maintains current records of clinical outreach activity, documents client perspectives, observations and activities that support client priorities by maintaining complete and accurate records as per established policies and procedures.

8. (Guide the clients to connect with the appropriate counsellor / therapist who would administer medication in accordance with the established policy

10. Actively participate in FRAFCA events and team building

11. As part of a multidisciplinary team, and as outlined by procedural guidelines, provides support and follow-up services as part of the Opioid Agonist Therapy, Safe Supply, and Managed Alcohol programs.

12. Participates in “on-call” and “call-out” schedules to enhance and extend support activities for residents and families in the Complex Care Housing program.

13. Schedules clients visits according to established guidelines

14. Receives client feedback, inquiries and complaints and responds as required.

15. Attends team and staff meetings and education sessions as requested by FRAFCA

16. Contributes to the mentorship services for students as part of the curriculum for established and recognized institutions and schools offering programs and training in the field of Mental Health services.

17. Performs other related duties