Post Secondary Placement Student - Outreach

Canadian Mental Health Association- Peel Branch • Brampton, ON

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. We are honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help. We are looking for two(2) post-secondary placement students to join our Outreach Team! The placement students will work with our Outreach Team to support individuals in accordance with the Housing First philosophy of immediate access to permanent housing with no readiness requirements, consumer choice and self-determination, recovery orientation, individualized and client driven supports, and social/community integration. The placement is unpaid and will be up to four (4) months long and for students looking to complete preferably 300 or more placement hours, beginning in Fall 2026. This placement has shifts Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm, but there is flexibility for the students to work 12-hour shifts, shadowing Outreach Workers, if they wish. All placement hours would be scheduled in consultation with the incumbent students.

Requirements

• Current university or college student in social work/social services, nursing, mental health and addictions or an equivalent program
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with management and front-line staff
• Well-developed and demonstrated knowledge of mental health, mental illness, stress management, anti-stigma, workplace wellness, mental health system issues and health promotion principles (Knowledge of concurrent disorder, addictions, and dual diagnosis would be an asset)
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and how to apply it during client interactions in order to deliver holistic patient care
• Some evenings required and an ability to travel within Peel Region from time to time
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to approach, listen, build trust, and communicate across diverse cultures and intersectionality. Willingness to continually improve understanding around cultural competence.
• Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.
• Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.
• Valid Canadian driver's license, relevant insurance and access to a reliable vehicle
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of concurrent disorder, addictions, and dual diagnosis would be an asset

Responsibilities

• Build client capacity, empowerment and create self-reliance.
• Develop and initiate relationships with prospective clients based on trust, respect, and honesty.
• Aid with securing/matching appropriate affordable housing for those who are homeless or at risk in the Region of Peel.
• Work with Outreach team to support the transition of persons into housing utilizing a Critical Time Intervention Approach to Housing-Based Street Outreach.
• Set short and long-term goals with persons involved and create and document support plans to reach those goals. Make additional referrals as appropriate.
• Conduct Case Conferencing with support system of persons involved in the program.
• Make minimum of one weekly community/home visit (alongside Outreach staff) with unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness to offer support, connect to resources, etc.
• As appropriate, work with Region of Peel Housing Stability Workers to support life skills teaching to help build Client capacity to maintain housing, especially focusing on tenancy skills and knowledge.
• Support the overall operation of the Street Outreach and Street Helpline responses.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree