Mental Health and Harm Reduction Worker

ABOUT US

Kennedy House (KH) is a not-for-profit organization with a long-standing dedication to providing exceptional personalized care for youth in the Greater Toronto Area for over 50 years. KH started with an initial family-like group home in 1971 and currently operates several residential and community-based programs, for marginalized and at-risk youth, including:

• One residential program for adolescents in care;
• Three residential programs for youth and young adults living with developmental disabilities;
• A Day Treatment school program for youth struggling in the typical school setting;
• Kennedy House Youth Centre, a secure custody facility for male youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Bailiff services to safely and securely transport youth experiencing conflict with the law;
• Kennedy House After School Program for children aged 4-13 in underserved communities throughout Scarborough; and
• Kennedy House Youth Shelter, for youth aged 16-24 experiencing homelessness.

KH works with youth to enable them to grow as individuals and contribute as members of the community. This is achieved by providing customized support and building trusting relationships.

To learn more about our organization and the causes we support, we strongly encourage you to visit our website.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the Housing and Program Supervisor the Mental Health and Harm Reduction Worker will provide program support, leadership, and direction within a multi-disciplinary team while abiding by our Agency Code of Conduct. The successful candidate will be a role model for the youth that utilize the shelter.

The Kennedy House Youth Shelter is an emergency shelter in the City of Toronto for youth ages 16 to 24 that are homeless. Clients may self-refer in person or over the phone. The typical length of stay in an emergency shelter is intended to be of short duration and the majority of clients use this type of shelter only once before returning to permanent housing.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides trauma-informed counselling to manage emotional distress and to assist clients to develop tools and skills to self-manage distressing emotions
• Ensures ongoing relentless engagement and relationship building with youth, with attention to substance use and harm reduction needs
• Works collaboratively with other multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure clients’ success
• Coaches clients to develop a wide range of independent living skills, including, cooking, household maintenance, shopping, tenancy management, money management, social and interpersonal skills
• Collaborates with youth and staff to assess immediate risk levels, support safety planning, and help coordinate proactive risk mitigation strategies
• Ensures all client and program documentation, data collection, and report writing are completed and maintained according to agency and professional standards
• Contributes toward an evidence-based model with a focus on Quality Improvement
• Documents clients’ interaction in reference to a client care plan through SMIS.
• Participates in staff meetings & training as per assignment
• Works from an Anti-Racist Anti-Oppressive, Harm Reduction, Person-centered, Strength-based lens, and Housing First approach
• Provides distribution and collection services of naloxone, and harm reduction equipment, and track it through NEO 360 database.
• Administers Naloxone and provides ongoing training to staff and clients
• Uses substantial knowledge of drug use, harm reduction, and overdose prevention to design and deliver educational workshops to service users and providers alike as needed to support the uniqueness of the shelter.
• Provides crisis intervention and individual support for youth with complex mental health and substance use needs; collaboratively review, resource, and reinforce youth’s well-being and harm reduction strategies
• Assists Shift Supervisors and Case Workers with debriefing, problem-solving, and integration of harm reduction perspectives into individualized client support plans and overall shelter practices
• Develops and facilitate educational opportunities, workshops, and peer leadership opportunities for youth, towards the prevention of overdose and other harms
• Enhances community partnerships and referral networks to support youth access to harm reduction and recovery options; assist youth in accessing community mental health, harm reduction, and addictions services

EDUCATION:

• Completion of a Social Service Worker Diploma, Child and Youth Worker Diploma, or a Community College Diploma/University degree with a focus on Social Services and Behavioral Science

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 2 years in a similar role with additional 1 years of front-line experience
• Previous experience working with vulnerable youth in a variety of social systems
• Previous experience working as a Program Facilitator is an asset
• Knowledge of Toronto Shelter Standards and applicable legislation (Mental Health Act, Child & Family Services Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, etc.) (asset)
• Demonstrated knowledge of mental health and behavioral needs of youth
• Clinical skills, including experience and ability to work with and manage difficult behavior.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Cultural competency skills and the ability to be inclusive of diversity
• Current certification in CPR Level C and First Aid Level C is mandatory within 30 days of hire
• Current certification in CPI
• Valid Class G Driver’s License and clean Driver’s Abstract is required
• Current (within 6 months) Police Check and Vulnerable Sector Search must be provided
• Advanced communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with the ability to build positive relationships with youth
• Good interviewing, coaching, counselling, facilitation and team building skills
• Basic to intermediate computer skills with the ability to operate various business software and operational systems (e.g., Windows, Microsoft Word, etc.)
• Maintain all required immunizations and vaccines

WHY KENNEDY HOUSE?

Kennedy House provides its employees with a combination of challenging yet exciting career opportunities, both short and long-term. Being a Kennedy House employee means that you can apply your knowledge, broaden your skills and make a valuable contribution to the organization, our clients’ lives and wellbeing, and the community you live in. Here at Kennedy House, we help the youth of today achieve their dreams of tomorrow.

Additionally, Kennedy House provides the following benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Group healthcare benefits (extended health, dental, and vision care)
• Life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Company matched retirement savings plan (RRSP)
• Opportunities to grow within the organization, including relocation within other the Kennedy House programs
• On-site parking
• Company events
• Casual dress code
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

HOW TO APPLY?

Qualified applicants must submit their application for consideration using the Apply now button. It is strongly encouraged that applicants use resumes in pdf format.

Kennedy House thanks in advance all applicants who submit an application for their interest and time spent preparing their application; however, due to the high volume of candidates received, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

Kennedy House is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity in the workplace. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes. At Kennedy House, we are committed to a supportive work environment where employees have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Diversity and inclusion are a central part of our culture, and we aspire to be a workplace that is respectful to everyone. We appreciate the interest of all candidates. Due to the volumes of applications we receive, we can only contact candidates that are selected to move forward in the recruitment process. If you are contacted for a job opportunity, please advise the Human Resources Representative of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. Any information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• RRSP match
• Vision care

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application question(s):

• All employees must achieve and maintain a clear police check and vulnerable sector check. An offer of employment is conditional upon receiving a clear police check and vulnerable sector check. Do you accept these requirements?
• All employees are required to participate in our communicable disease, health and safety and public health requirements such as a yearly influenza vaccine, DPT, MMR, Hepatitis B, and COVID-19 Vaccine. Do you accept these requirements?
• Kennedy House has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all employees; hence, successful candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemptions may be available pursuant to applicable legislation (i.e., Ontario Human Rights Code) or documented medical reasons. Are you still interested in proceeding with the application?

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• mental health work: 1 year (required)
• harm reduction: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Standard First Aid and CPR C training (preferred)
• Class G Driver's License (required)

Work Location: In person