Transitional Housing

_**Dedicated leader providing hope and help to women and girls at risk**_

EFRY Hope and Help for Women empowers women and girls through a trauma-informed, inclusive, and gender responsive lens. Our client-focused approach strengthens emotional, cultural and social well-being through prevention, support, reintegration, and advocacy.

Residential Caseworkers, Transitional House

Permanent, Full-Time - 40 hours per week (Vacation & Benefits Included)

The Transitional House is a residential program that assists women and girls who are trafficked and/or commercially sexually exploited to be supported to reintegrate into the community. The team works to facilitate residential programming that facilitates and is conducive to a safe environment, positive change, and trauma-informed care for its female youth residents.

Permanent, Full-Time (Vacation & Benefits Included) The Transitional Housing Caseworker’s mission is to provide safe and supportive shelter and services for self identified women who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, temporarily receiving shelter at an Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Toronto residential facility. This service provides comprehensive services based on the Housing First Principles for individuals experiencing chronic and episodic homelessness in Peel Region. The Transitional Housing Caseworker supports clients to obtain safe, affordable and sustainable housing within Peel and neighboring communities

The **Residential Caseworker** works as part of a team under the direction and supervision of the Program Coordinator and Manager (or designate). The individual assists with specialized day-to-day care and counselling to residents occupying the Transitional House program. They will be able to work well in a dynamic work and team setting.

**The Residential Caseworker is** **scheduled to work 40 hours per week, based on a rotating shift schedule, which will include 8-hour shifts during the day, afternoons, and overnights**.

**Areas of Responsibility**:

- Assesses needs of clients and works collaboratively with agency and regionally specific service providers to develop and implement meaningful housing support plans, and promote achievement towards identified goals.
- Develops and maintains effective relationships and working partnerships with landlords, property owners, and/or property managers.
- Manages and de-escalates pre-crisis, crisis situations through use of therapeutic approaches and techniques.
- Provides advocacy for women to access appropriate services, and supports system navigation guidance.
- Refers clients to additional community services to promote housing stability, including but not limited to financial assistance programs, employment services, emergency food resources, mental health and addiction supports, health care, furniture, clothing, social supports etc.
- Provides intensive case management, outreach, and aftercare services through a trauma-informed, person centered approach to care.
- Actively networks within the community to promote program services through presentation delivery, attending information sessions, and involvement in various committees.
- Maintains appropriate and confidential records of all clients in accordance with agency and Region of Peel reporting standards.
- Compiles statistical information, and completes monthly reporting as required for ongoing program evaluation and development.
- Performs additional duties as assigned by the Manager or designate
- Understanding of the complex challenges experienced by homeless women in obtaining housing, employment, educational and community opportunities. Effective knowledge of agencies, resources, and supports within Peel to address identified challenges.
- Experience working with vulnerable populations including those who have experienced homelessness, violence and isolation, and those who have complex mental health needs and substance use disorders.
- Familiar with HTI/By-Name List/VI-SPDAT platforms
- Undergraduate Degree and/or College Diploma in Social Services or a related field.
- Proficient knowledge of Housing First Principles, Residential Tenancies Act, and the Landlord Tenant Board.
- Knowledge of government financial assistance programs such as OW, PHIPP, ODSP
- Ability to meet clients where they are at, through utilization of a strengths based, person centered approach.
- Experience working from an anti-oppressive and trauma-informed framework.
- Effective problem solving and conflict resolution skills - the demonstrated ability to be creative, resolve conflicts and provide crisis prevention / intervention supports.
- Multicultural sensitivity and commitment to work with the socially and economically disadvantaged.
- Ability to work positively within a multi-disciplinary team environment, and independently as required.
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills.
- Practical knowledge and experience facilitating gender specific and responsive programming.
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