Careers at Stepping Stone

Part-Time Housing Stability Worker – Grace Gardens

Program Overview:

Stepping Stone is a community-based agency that believes in the Housing First philosophies and practices. We strive to improve the quality of life for people who are struggling with chronic homelessness, significant mental health issues and substance misuse. Our program provides individuals a place to live and staff support 24/7, along with wrap-around health care services on site to help people who have experienced chronic homelessness transition to housing and successfully stay housed.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Program Supervisor, the Housing Stability Worker will assist our tenants to remain housed after previously experiencing chronic homelessness. The HSW will take the lead role in ensuring that all tenants are provided with adequate and appropriate support that will address the complex health and housing needs that have contributed to the tenant previously being unsuccessful in independent housing.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in human services/human sciences, or related field.
• Experience of working with those who have experienced mental health challenges, addictions and trauma
• Work collaboratively within a multi disciplinary team
• Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical disabilities, addictions, mental health and other life challenges
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and experience working with community organizations as well as an understanding of issues related to poverty and homelessness
• Strong interpersonal and resilience skills
• Must have exemplary communication, conflict management, organization and problem solving skills
• Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, tenants and community members
• Experience working within a non-profit and/or social services environment preferred
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people from various abilities, life situations and cultural backgrounds
• Ability to carry and operate cleaning equipment up to 50 pounds
• Experience using a Data Management System (i.e. HIFIS) and tools (i.e. VI-SPDAT)
• Current First Aid / CPR certification, Naloxone training and Vulnerable Sector Police Check or willingness to obtain at hiring

Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist clients in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing
• Collaborate with landlords and property managers to secure units
• Actively engage individuals and families in securing independent housing, including accompaniment to unit viewings, assistance with unit rental application process including last month’s rent deposits,securing income assistance, ensuring rent supplements can be directly deposited and arranging for furnishings and household items
• Support individuals in arranging tenant insurance and everyday housing repair/maintenance;
• Support the development and implementation of individualized care plans for tenants with the clinical team
• Help clients access community resources, benefits, and mental/physical health care
• Advocate on behalf of individual to ensure appropriate service delivery
• Conduct screening and assessment to determine the appropriate housing response and ongoing wraparound services; ensuring the organization and delivery of these services is established by liaising and collaborating on a regular basis with the Care Coordinator
• Collaborate with client in the formulation of a Crisis Care Plan that is reviewed and modified with
  client on a regular basis and provide crisis intervention when necessary
• Conduct home visits and wellness checks in accordance with program policies and provide ongoing case management services using a strength-based approach
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation and data entry into client records within HIFIS and/or Caseworks
  Assist in developing financial literacy skills, including budgeting and rent payment as well as ensuring food security is established at the time of move in
• Support participants at appointments (e.g. Food Bank, Ontario Works, medical, psychiatric, counseling etc.)
• Encourage and support participants in becoming actively engaged in their community through social activities, volunteering and attending community events
• Take part in case conferencing tables to advocate for tenant, contributing recommendations for case management in collaboration with the Care Coordinator
• Maintain excellent documentation on each case and each contact with the participant and using this documentation to evaluate project outcomes, goals and progress on a regular basis
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and trainings
• Support Lifeskills Workers in leading with unit support by creating plans for unit upkeep and providing hands on support with housekeeping and general tidiness.
• Actively participate in team meetings to enhance program delivery

Working Environment / Schedule:

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when required
• Position would be scheduled for four days a week
• Thirty-two (32) hours per week
• Work with clients and staff in the community and directly on the shelter and PSH sites
• Exposed to stress due to dealing with clients in difficult personal circumstances

Compensation and Benefits:

• $27.53 / hour starting wage
• 2 weeks vacation / year (on an accrual basis)
• 7 sick days / year (on an accrual basis)
• $100 / month cell phone reimbursement & $100 / month gas allowance
• Extended Health & Dental benefit package available after (3) months of employment
• An environment that supports continuous learning