Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker (TFT) (CUPE 65.26)

Norfolk County • Simcoe, ON

2d • CA$29 - CA$36 • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Homelessness Prevention Intake / Diversion Worker, you’ll be the first point of contact for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, assessing their needs and connecting them to housing and community supports. Your work will help prevent homelessness, improve housing stability, and positively impact the quality of life of vulnerable residents.

Requirements

• Two (2) year diploma in a related discipline such as Social Services Worker, Human Services, Addictions Counselling
• Over two (2) years’ experience in a Social Services related position with direct experience in crisis intake and support, in-house shelter services, addictions and/or mental health intake and case management.
• Valid Ontario Driver’s Licence and access to a reliable vehicle
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of all community services and supports
• Experience working directly with people who are experiencing homelessness or who are in imminent risk of being homeless
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the risk factors for homelessness and the barriers to achieving housing stability for vulnerable people
• Training and/or experience in motivational interviewing and the use of assessment tools such as the VI-SPDAT and SPDAT
• Experience using homeless related data bases such as HIFIS
• Experience working with crisis situations and conflict resolution for vulnerable populations with tri-morbidity
• Computer knowledge in corporate standard software (Microsoft Office) and department specific software, including database programs

Nice To Haves

• Additional training and/or certification in mental health, addictions and/or trauma counselling would be considered an asset

Responsibilities

• Provide customer service and respond to inquiries from people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness in a variety of settings
• Assess the housing needs of the individual or family using the appropriate assessment tool (VI-SPDAT or SPDAT)
• Divert people away from homeless services as appropriate by referring to internal and external supports
• Facilitate admission to the emergency housing program as appropriate
• Support the individual or family in connecting to natural supports, internal supports within the Social and Housing Services Department or external supports within the community to divert admission to emergency housing and prevent homelessness
• Facilitate admission to the emergency housing program when diversion from homelessness is not possible by connecting the individual or family to the external service delivery partner for the emergency housing program
• Maintain appropriate client records and service delivery data in the relevant departmental software program (e.g. HIFIS)
• Other administrative tasks as assigned and related to the delivery of the Homelessness Prevention Services program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree