Connection Coordinator

House of Friendship•Kitchener, ON

1d•CA$28 - CA$36•Hybrid

About The Position

At House of Friendship, we believe in our mission to make a difference in the community by walking with and serving others. We are driven by continuous learning and growth, and we are passionate about ensuring everyone belongs and thrives. We are seeking a Connection Coordinator committed to strength-based, person-focused care to join our HART (Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment) Hub program. The HART Hub is an innovative program supporting individuals facing homelessness, mental health, and addiction concerns, offering comprehensive services including treatment, housing support, and collaborative care. As a Connection Coordinator, you will engage with participants, travel to HART Hub locations, and primarily work in Cambridge in collaboration with the LANGS HART Hub and Interprofessional Primary Care Team (IPC). Your role will be to connect participants with necessary resources and supports to achieve and maintain their wellness and substance use goals.

Requirements

Minimum College Diploma or University Degree in Related Field of Study required (i.e. social services, social work, addictions, mental health, community development etc.)
Minimum 2 years of experience in case planning/management including knowledge of community referral resources
Knowledge and understanding of the complexities of substances, problematic substance use, harm reduction and recovery oriented interventions required
Demonstrated understanding of working with individuals experiencing concurrent disorders
Previous experience in a social service setting
Commitment to understand and uphold the mission and values of House of Friendship is expected
Exemplary emotional intelligence, resilience, communication, conflict management and problem solving skills required
Ability to work professionally as a team member with staff, participants and community members
Experience or strong interest in working with diverse populations including people from various cultural backgrounds, income levels, and sensitivity to their needs
Experience with and commitment to using an anti-racism, anti-oppressive and trauma informed approach to consultation, program design, evaluations of processes and service delivery
Must be dependable, professional, flexible, a team player, and have a positive attitude
Respectful, supportive and engaging approach to persons with physical and/or cognitive disabilities, addictions, mental illness and other life challenges
Excellent project, timeline and deadline management skills including skills in logistics, planning and detailed record keeping
Sensitivity to and knowledge of issues relating to and impacting on all genders and marginalized populations
Strong understanding of interpersonal skills and the ability to engage in meaningful conversations to develop rapport with individuals who use drugs using a strength-based approach;
Knowledge of and training in substance use including associated health risks;
Demonstrated capacity for accurate and efficient documentation and computer data entry
Demonstrated ability to calmly problem-solve in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment;
Good communication skills and strong listening skills;
Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team
Ability to accept and feedback and take initiative
Group facilitation and management skills
Knowledge of community resources and provincial addiction treatment services
Commitment to ongoing professional development and training

Responsibilities

Connect with participants referred to services and engage in meaningful supportive relationships to promote their wellness goals by providing harm reduction education, safe withdrawal education and referrals, medication support, and connection to primary care.
Develop individual support plans, including completion of any relevant assessment tools.
Work collaboratively with participants to identify and achieve goals as it relates to their individual support needs including: connection to harm reduction supports, taper and withdrawal supports, medical/medication support, mental health supports, primary care supports, housing supports, food supports.
Engage participants in meaningful support relationships to achieve the goal of meeting eligibility criteria, accessing treatment and maintaining recovery goals post treatment. Including securing of stable housing, wellbeing stability, aftercare support.
Establish strong rapport and maintain appropriate professional relationships.
Develop and contribute to Addiction Services Intake Assessments and create and deliver a pre-treatment care plan for participants spanning the continuum of pre-treatment to post treatment.
Participate in intake conversations and orientation to the program, including communication around expectations and intended program outcomes.
Support participant’s in preparation for the end of treatment by planning for: housing, medical care, accessing prescriptions, employment, access to food, working with family services and community resources.
Provide psychoeducation and use Motivational Interviewing Skills to help participants resolve ambivalence and work toward change goals.
Assist with intake, admission, re-admission, discharge and completion of programs as needed.
Assess complex situations and make appropriate decisions independently and as part of a team including crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning.
Build effective working relationships with community partners and agencies across the province to increase opportunities for collaboration and positively impact outcomes.
Work as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect support to participants.
Participate in case conferences to support participant’s goals both internally and externally eg. probation & parole, family & children’s services, family & significant Others, medical, mental health.
Complete documentation and data entry in accordance with agency and legislative requirements.
Maintain confidentiality in compliance with Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).
Work independently and as part of a team including attending team meetings, Addiction Services Town Halls, trainings and regular supervision meetings.
Participate in other program activities as required.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and training.