Young Men's Trauma Counselor

**Young Men’s Trauma Counselor (YMTC)**
(Permanent, Full-Time, 37.5 hours, 9am-5pm four days/wk, 12pm-8pm one day/wk)

**REPORTS TO**: Community Programs and Services Manager

**COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT POSITION CUPE 3877**: YES

**DIRECT REPORTS**: None

**AGENCY SUMMARY**

Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke (WHE) is a feminist, multi-service, community-based organization in South Etobicoke, serving _all _women and their dependents experiencing violence and poverty since 1978. In 2006, WHE opened an outreach centre to respond to the increasing needs for services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

WHE offers transformational services and programs in two distinct locations to address the impact of violence and poverty on women and their dependents which includes, safety audits, safety planning, trauma-informed crisis and ongoing counseling services, housing support services, advocacy and referrals to settlement and community resources, as well as skills and capacity building for promoting healthy relationships and prevention of gender-based violence.

**JOB SUMMARY**:
This position is for a male counselor who will use a feminist based, trauma-informed, anti-racist/anti-oppression and harm reduction lens in all aspects of engagement with boys and young men, including intake, assessment, goal planning and case management. The YMTC offers strengths-based, trauma-informed individual and group counseling aimed at supporting male youth develop coping skills and building resilience.

The YMTC creates and promotes a safe environment where male youth between the ages of 12 and 21 engage in conversations about gender and social norms. The YMTC also participates on relevant committees and advocacy groups.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Trauma Informed Intake and Assessment**
- Perform needs assessment of clients with sensitivity, empathy, and cultural competence, and involve the youth and their family members as active participants in their support when appropriate.
- Conduct comprehensive clinical assessment for youth exposed to domestic violence using a multifaceted approach that considers the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of the client

**Risk Assessment & Safety Planning**
- Identify immediate or long-term risks to the youth's safety and any other family members well-being, including risks of further exposure to violence, substance abuse, or involvement in unsafe behavior.
- Develop a documented safety plan with clear strategies to mitigates risk factors.

**Trauma Assessment**
- Evaluate the extent of trauma experienced by the youth due to exposure to domestic violence.

**Developmental Assessment**
- Consider the developmental stage of the youth and how exposure to domestic violence may have impacted their developmental trajectory.
- Assess for any developmental delays or disruptions.

**Psychosocial Assessment**
- Explore the youth's social support system, including relationships with family members, peers, and other caregivers.
- Identify protective factors or sources of resilience.

**Behavioral Assessment**
- Evaluate the youth's behavioral responses to stress and trauma, including any maladaptive coping mechanisms or problematic behaviors that may have developed as a result of exposure to domestic violence.

**Family Assessment**
- Assess the dynamics within the family system, including patterns of communication, conflict resolution, and power dynamics.
- Identify family strengths or challenges that may impact the youth's well-being.

**Cultural Assessment**
- Consider the cultural background and beliefs of the youth and their family, as well as how cultural factors may influence their experience of and response to domestic violence.

**Collateral Information**
- Gather information from other sources, such as teachers, healthcare providers, or social workers, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the youth's situation and needs.

**Trauma-Informed Goal Planning and Case Management**
- Develop a tailored plan based on the findings of the assessment, incorporating evidence-based interventions to address the youth's specific needs and goals.
- Collaborate with the youth and when appropriate their caregiver to develop goal plans and case management activities
- Provide trauma-informed crisis and ongoing individual counselling according to our Length of Service policy
- Use harm reduction principles to support youth to develop/strengthen healthy coping strategies
- Address the impact of systemic barriers on the youth’s emotional health
- Seek ongoing feedback from the youth to ensure needs are being met and goal plans remain relevant
- Assist youth and when appropriate their caregiver to develop awareness of external referral options assist with accessing internal/external resources/referrals as needed
- Assist clients to research, locate and utilize community resources as appropriate
- Provide initial check-ins with the client and monthly check-ins depending on the needs of the client