Supportive Housing Worker

COTA Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodations available

Job summary

Cota Health in Toronto, ON is seeking a dedicated Supportive Housing Worker to deliver recovery-oriented services within the Modular Housing program at 321 Dovercourt Road. You will work as part of a team to support tenants, coordinate intake, and assist with move-ins while upholding Cota's mission and values.

The role emphasizes tenant planning, safety, documentation, and collaboration with landlords and service providers.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: Completion of a Community College Diploma in Social Services, Community Work, Mental Health, or related field; or equivalent trainings, and a minimum of three (3) years of related or lived experience supporting individuals in housing, social services, or community-based settings

Responsibilities

• Role entails Recovery Oriented services to service users consistent with our mission, vision and values
• Coordinates intake processes including reviewing referrals, screening interviews, determining eligibility and move-in arrangements
• Supports development of tenant Support/Goal Plans and liaises with clients' support networks
• Maintains a safe/clean environment and coordinates group activities
• Coordinates tenant meetings to promote client participation and planning
• Performs documentation and data entry in client charts and databases
• Participates in team meetings and program planning

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Community resources

Group facilitation

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Independent worker

Non-judgmental

Flexibility

Problem solving

Education

Diploma in Social Services/Related field

Job description

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position

Monday - Friday, 7 :00am-3:00pm

Existing Vacancy

Compensation: $25.60/hour-$29.77/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Supportive Housing Worker is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to Cota service users in a manner consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.

About the Team

We require an experienced Supportive Housing Worker to work as team members in our Modular Housing program at 321 Dovercourt Road. This site is a part of the City's Phase 1 Modular Housing Initiative. This site provides permanent affordable housing with support to people who are exiting chronic homelessness.

Each tenant has a bachelor apartment within the building, and onsite support provided by Cota's supportive housing team. Our comprehensive approach to supportive housing can greatly benefit the tenants and contribute to their overall well-being.

Primary Responsibilities

1. In conjunction with the manager and supervisor, they assist with the search for, and acquisition of, appropriate housing units as may be required within the program
2. Coordinates intake processes including:
   • Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the program
   • Coordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sources
   • Determining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of new clients into the program
   • Coordinating move-in arrangements with the new clients and their respective referral sources
   • Facilitating internal move-in practices/protocols with new clients, per applicable program standards/guidelines
   • Orientating new clients users to the housing environment and Cota’s service
3. Assists with the development of tenant Support/Goal Plans:
   • Plays an active lead role in ensuring that Support/Goal Plans are developed with each tenant and his/her support network and a record of this is documented in clients chart
   • Shares responsibility with the Team for implementing appropriate housing supports that assist clients in pursuing/achieving their goals
   • Liaises with clients support networks on a regular basis
   • Focuses on assisting clients with:
4. Supports the maintenance of safe/clean environment:
   • Directly assists with maintaining the site in a clean and orderly state. This may involve:
   • Cleaning/setting up vacant tenant units in order to prepare them for occupancy as scheduled, or, as required
   • Cleaning common areas such as common rooms/lounges after activities, common kitchen, office, staff lounge, and building exterior space area as scheduled, or, as required
   • Assisting with any pest control/eradication efforts, as required
   • Continually assessing the environment for safety and security issues and recommending action to address any deficiencies
5. Coordinates/facilitates tenant meetings to promote direct client participation in the planning of services/activities provided by Cota and to promote a safe and open forum for dialogue in relation to issues/concerns that clients may have regarding the services they receive, the environment that they live in, and any conflict/tension that they may be experiencing in relation to their living environment
6. Plans and facilitates group activities/events which foster client engagement/participation, the development of social networks, and skill acquisition
7. Coordinates the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines
8. Offers outreach support/education to landlords and housing providers through:
   • Orientation to/education about the challenges facing our clients and their support needs
   • Participation in joint client/landlord dispute meetings
9. Documentation and data entry:
   • Documents all client contacts/interactions in the appropriate client chart according to Cota's documentation guidelines
   • Enters data relating to clients interactions into Cota's database system according to data collection guideline
   • Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or Team
10. Participates in team meetings, provides input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning

Other Responsibilities

• Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified Required Training areas for MH&CS Division Service providers
• Adheres to all Cota's policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practices
• Adheres to all applicable legislation, in particular, the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Complies with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and clients and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
• Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with clients, Team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders
• Ensures that confidentiality of clients, employees and Cota information is maintained at all times
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications

Education & Experience:

Completion of a Community College Diploma in Social Services, Community Work, Mental Health, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of related certified trainings, and a minimum of three (3) years of related or lived experience supporting individuals in housing, social services, or community-based settings

Knowledge & Skills

• Clinical knowledge relevant to the target population being served
• Knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information
• Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings
• Good crisis management and dispute resolution skills
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• Basic computer literacy (Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Consistent/ reliable and flexible
• Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
• Demonstrated client-centred and customer focused approach
• Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to resolve issues
• Effective team player
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions

Judgment

• Ability to identify client risk factors and coordinate appropriate follow-up
• Respectful and aware of client - worker boundaries
• Awareness of safety issues with clients

Other

• Responsible to also support PSSW (ADL) when needed Will also support as the back-up medication person

We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Additional Information

Interview Process

Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process

Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr [e-mail]

About Cota Health

COTA Health (Cota) is an accredited, not-for-profit, community-based organization that has been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities for over 45 years. We provide person-centred supports that assist individuals to find inspiration and hope in their inherent strengths and support them to pursue meaningful change in their lives, as they define it. Cota also works collaboratively with our funders, our partners and other stakeholders, across the provincial health and social service systems, to inspire positive change in the way that services are delivered to individuals living with mental health and cognitive challenges.