Supportive Housing Worker

**SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WORKER**

**Safe Bed Program-1266 Danforth Avenue**

**East York, Toronto**

**(1) One Bargaining Unit,** Permanent Part-Time position**

**Saturday-Sunday: 7:00am-3:00pm**

**About Cota**

If you're looking to contribute your expertise at a community-based organization making a positive impact in the lives of thousands of people each year - Cota would love to hear from you

We provide a collaborative and inclusive work environment that emphasizes employee support, learning opportunities and excellence in our field. We offer flexible hours and employer-paid benefits for some classifications along with other perks and wellness activities.

For 50 years, Cota has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their community. We provide person-centred support to help individuals find inspiration and hope in themselves, so they are better able to pursue meaningful change in their lives.

To find out more about us and our programs/services and employee benefits please visit our website

**Role overview**

The Supportive Housing Worker supports clients of the program during their stay of up to 30 days to achieve their overall care goals to promote recovery and reduce the risk of recidivism. There will be a strong emphasis on teaching Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills as well as Harm Reduction strategies and interpersonal communication skills. Shift work is required.

**About the Team**

We require an experienced Supportive Housing Worker to work as team member in the Safe Beds Program. The Supportive Housing Worker supports clients of the program during their stay of up to 30 days to achieve their overall care goals to promote recovery and reduce the risk of recidivism. There will be a strong emphasis on teaching Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills as well as Harm Reduction strategies and interpersonal communication skills. Shift work is required.

**Primary Responsibilities**:

- Assists with the search for and acquisition of appropriate housing units as may be required within the programs
- Coordinates intake processes including:

- Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the program
- Coordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sources
- Determining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of new clients into the program
- Coordinating move-in arrangements and facilitating internal move-in practices/protocols with the new clients, per applicable program standards/guidelines
- Assist with the development of client’s support/goal plan

**S**upport tenants with**:

- Reminders relating to appointments, accompaniment to appointments.
- Maintaining appropriate medication routines.
- Establishing and/or maintaining personal wellness routines.
- Assisting clients with menu planning, grocery shopping and cooking.
- Assisting with clients’ laundry routines.
- Maintaining and/or cleaning clients’ rooms.
- Managing and supporting clients with behavioral needs.
- Other supports with ADLs as identified by the Manager and/or Team.

**Other individual support requirements including, but not limited to**:

- Community orientation.
- Linking to Case Management and/or other services.
- Situational dispute/problem resolution.
- Informal counseling/guidance.

**Supports the maintenance of a safe/clean environment**:

- Cleaning/setting up vacant rooms in order to prepare them for occupancy as scheduled, or, as required.
- Cleaning common areas such as common rooms/lounges, common kitchen, building exterior space area as scheduled, or, as required.
- Assisting with any pest control/eradication efforts, as required.
- Continually assessing the environment for safety and security issues and recommending action to address any deficiencies.
- Plan and facilitate group activities/events which foster client engagement/participation, the development of social networks and skill acquisition.
- Order Harm Reduction supplies and assemble kits.
- Documentation and data entry, document all client contact/interactions in the appropriate client chart according to Cota documentation policies.
- Coordinates the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines.
- Participate in team meetings; provide input and ideas for improving services and efficiencies and ongoing program planning.
- A minimum of a Community College Diploma in a field relevant to the target population. Higher level post-secondary education will be considered an asset.
- A minimum of 2 years direct or transferable experience suitable to working effectively with the relevant target population.
- Knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information.
- Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings.
- Good crisis management a