Client Advocate Nights

Mission Services of Hamilton•Hamilton, ON

1d•CA$0 - CA$24•Onsite

About The Position

The Client Advocate will provide support using integrated feminist anti-racist/anti-oppressive trauma perspective. They will be innovative with their approaches and strategies to ensure access to services are low-barrier. Client Advocates will assist women, transgender and non-binary individuals whom predominantly have high acuity mental health and addictions, with meeting their basic needs. This includes access to food, showers, laundry facilities and a safe place to rest. The Client Advocate will support individual goals and plans including making referrals to appropriate community agencies/supports. The Client Advocate will assess the safety of the individuals they support and work with them to create personal safety plans as required. The Client Advocate will also provide support with developing coping strategies and education on harm reductions strategies and any other self-identified goals. The Client Advocate will prevent, manage and defuse any behavioural issues that may arise in the space, and encourage a caring, healthy, safe and positive work environment for both peers and service users.

Requirements

Degree or Diploma in human services, social work/social services or equivalent work experience and education
Six (6) months experience working or volunteering in a social work/social service work field
Experience working in programs serving women, transgender and non-binary individuals with complex and intersecting needs including poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, addictions and trauma
Knowledge of harm reduction strategies and how to provide harm reduction education and supplies to service users
Understanding of substance abuse and awareness of trends in substance use
Trained to administer Naloxone
Knowledge of community resources including mental health, addiction and housing supports resources
Knowledge of non-violent crisis intervention strategies
Understanding of Mission Services’ Mission, Vision and Values and how these are to be reflected in practice
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent time management skills
Excellent problem solving, decision making and priority setting skills
Excellent team building skills
Excellent active listening skills
Skilled in crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution
Ability to assess the needs of service users ex. assessing whether medical assistance is needed
Ability to successfully advocate with community partners on behalf of service users and negotiate with service users as well
Ability to use sensitivity when speaking to service users about private matters
Ability to effectively support service users in crisis, analyze the environment for safety concerns and determine the best course of action when responding to crisis
Ability to work in a stressful environment
Proof of negative 2-Step Tuberculosis Testing
Proof of clear Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Check

Nice To Haves

Preference for Non-Violent Crisis intervention, ASIST, First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Naloxone training
Preference for experience or education in concurrent disorders
Experience in facilitating groups preferred
Preference for the ability to speak a second language

Responsibilities

Ensure the overall safety of the space by ensuring that basic expectations of behaviour are met. Utilizing CPI techniques as well as other de-escalation strategies to minimize conflict, aggression and resulting service restrictions amongst service users
Health and safety issues are addressed/reported immediately; complete regular spot checks in washrooms, showers and other client areas; clean up and dispose of biohazards and paraphernalia according to Mission Services Policies
Demonstrated ability to provide person-centered, trauma and AR/AO informed services and supports to women, transgender and non-binary individuals with diverse experiences and identities; engage through structured activities, service of meals, and 1:1 opportunities
Provide therapeutic groups to service users
Provide strategic engagement for women, transgender and non-binary individuals who are precariously housed; provide support and resources to prevent homelessness
Provide strategic engagement for women, transgender and non-binary individuals who are chronically or episodically homeless; provide support and resources to find appropriate housing including a referral to our in-house systems navigators, completing ViSpidats and other necessary assessments
Distribute harm reductions supplies; as well as reviewing their use and purpose; overdose education and complete naloxone training reviews with clients
Create overdose prevention plans for substance users who are considered high risk
Respond to overdose events in coordination with fellow coworkers, connecting with EMS, and follow-up post over-dose
Make appropriate referrals to services based on service user identified needs and priorities; maintain updated community resources
Monitor, maintain and distribute health, hygiene and laundry supplies
Connect and work effectively with community agencies re: partnerships/initiatives; promote the space through outreach efforts
Support other members of the team (Including volunteers and students), ensuring that each individual is familiar with the day to day operations and philosophies of the space
Track daily, weekly and monthly statistical information that will help guide the future developments of the space
Adhere to a strict policy of confidentiality
Ensure Mission Service’s workplace Health & Safety policies and procedures are followed at all times
Other duties as required to ensure the continuation of service to participants in the space