Relief Child, Youth and Family Trauma Counselor

Relief Child, Youth and Family Trauma Counselor

Non-Management Classification
(Part-Time, Casual, Varied Hours) 

REPORTS TO:  Manager of Residential Services (Shelter) and Community Programs and Services Manager (Outreach)

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UNIT POSITION CUPE 3877: Yes

DIRECT REPORTS: None

AGENCY SUMMARY

Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke (WHE) is a feminist, multi-service, community-based organization in South Etobicoke, serving all women and their dependents experiencing violence and poverty since 1978. In 2006, WHE opened an outreach centre to respond to the increasing needs for services for victims and survivors of domestic violence.

WHE offers transformational services and programs in two distinct locations to address the impact of violence and poverty on women and their dependents which includes, safety audits, safety planning, trauma-informed crisis and ongoing counseling services, housing support services, advocacy and referrals to settlement and community resources, as well as skills and capacity building for promoting healthy relationships and prevention of gender-based violence.

JOB SUMMARY

The Relief Child, Youth and Family Trauma Counselor uses a feminist based, trauma-informed, anti-racist/anti-oppression and harm reduction lens in all aspects of intake and assessment, goal planning and case management including offering short-term counseling and facilitating group programs to children and youth residents of the Shelter and/or children who access our Outreach services who have witnessed, experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence (GBV, IPV, Child Abuse) and trauma.  The Relief Child, Youth and Family Trauma Counselor facilitates relevant children’s programming at Outreach during adult programming. The schedule varies and includes day, afternoon, evening, weekday, weekend shifts and statutory holiday shifts.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Counselor Responsibilities (Shelter or Outreach)

 Trauma-Informed Intake and Assessment

• Conduct intake procedures for children and youth, inform residents of WHE services and programs
• Perform needs assessment of children and youth
• Conduct risk audits and on-going safety planning conversations using a trauma-informed approach with children over 8 years old and their mothers/caregivers regarding their children
• Work with children, youth and mothers/caregivers to develop safety plans for their younger children/dependents (7 and younger)
• Work collaboratively with the Child, Youth and Family Clinical Counselor (CYFCC) to support identified clinical needs of children and youth, develop or amend safety plans that includes identifying safe spaces, trusted adults and coping strategies to use in times of distress.
• Use a trauma-informed approach to provide crisis counselling and support to children 

Trauma-Informed Goal Planning and Case Management

• Develop a tailored plan based on the findings of the assessments
• Work collaboratively with children and youth and when appropriate their mother/caregiver to develop goal plans and case management activities
• Work collaboratively with the CYFCC in case conferences with the mother/caregiver and/or external caseworkers as required to assess and provide case management planning
• Provide support and assistance to children and youth throughout their stay at the shelter.
• Research, suggest and support awareness of external referral options and assist with accessing internal/external resources/referrals as needed
• Engage in harm reduction principles (collaboration, choice, resource/information sharing, safety, empowerment, non-judgmental, acceptance, minimize harm, community involvement, flexibility, etc.)
• Address the impact of systemic barriers on the children and youth’s lives
• Collaborate with colleagues to refer children and youth to other counselors, support workers or other organizations
• Work with the school system and daycare centres to ensure that children and youth are enrolled and placed appropriately.

Referrals and Systems Navigation

• Provide support with systems navigation to mothers/caregivers needed and critical resources for their children/dependents and act as an advocate when necessary, with child protection, schools or other children and youth service related resources, including accompaniments if needed and/or appropriate
• Arrange and work with cultural interpreters as appropriate.
• Liaise and maintain positive working relationships with children’s service providers, other shelters, children’s mental health agencies, school personnel, daycare centers and other community agencies.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

• Seek ongoing resident feedback to ensure residents’ needs are being met and goal plans remain relevant
• Provide initial check-ins with the resident and monthly check-ins depending on the needs of the resident
• Monitor progress of goal plans
• Provide ongoing support and follow-up

Group Programming

• Collaborate with the other CYFC to develop Logic Models and other assessment tools to implement group programming
• Facilitate March Break and summer outings as well as after-school group workshops
• Organize other special groups/events (e.g. birthdays, Halloween, etc.)

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Act as a resource for groups and individuals from the community requesting information or assistance in the area of gender-based violence
• Participate in speaking engagements on the topic of impact of intimate partner violence and domestic violence on children and youth and the services provided by WHE, as requested
• Represent WHE in the community on task forces and on working groups, as assigned by the Manager, the Executive Director
• Liaise with colleagues in other Shelters to refer youth (16 years old and older)
• Liaise and maintain positive working relationships with service providers, other shelters, mental health agencies, other community agencies, etc.
• Represent WHE in all communications with residents, other community services and the general public that aligns with our mission, vision and values
• Participate in community meetings and events, as well as training and workshops where applicable.

Administration and Planning

• In absence of primary counselor set program goals and objectives with the Manager
• Conduct programming evaluations and report to the Manager
• Keep the Manager apprised of service delivery and issues.
• Develop and implement shelter related programs and its components
• Maintain up-to-date selection of resource materials
• Participate in supervision, staff and case management meetings as scheduled
• Responsible for the supervision of students and volunteers when necessary
• Complete an annual self-evaluation form as part of the organizational performance management process
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of resident information and maintain confidential case records as appropriate
• Participate in training and workshops where applicable.
• Responsible for other duties as assigned

Data Collection, Reporting and Evaluation

• Document and collect data and maintain an up to date record keeping, per WHE documentation policies
• Report on case management and client goal progress
• Conduct pre- and post- programming evaluation using qualitative and quantitative methods to measure the effectiveness and impact of our services
• Conduct annual evaluation to assess overall program outcomes and measure against annual targets
• Report on program progress to the Manager

Discharge/Closure

• Complete client departure form to:
• Update, store and close relevant client information in the database

Outreach Responsibilities (Outreach only)

Outreach Children’s Programming

• Collaborate with the primary counselor leading the adult program to plan, develop and implement programming for children of the adult participant
• Plan, set up materials and the space for programming
• Maintain sign-in and check-out information
• Conduct evaluation before, during and after programming
• Independently lead children’s programming
• Tidy up programming space
• Debrief with primary counselor on any issues
• Assist in preparation of snacks according to dietary and allergy restrictions
• Maintain and protect the confidentiality of children’s information
• Maintain the health and safety of the programming space
• Attend internal meetings as required

SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPECTATIONS

• A Diploma or Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Child and Youth Worker, or similar children’s mental health and development fields, from recognized post-secondary institutions
• Minimum of 1 year experience in child and youth trauma-informed counselling, including group with children and youth
• A minimum of 1 year experience working with children and youth who have witnessed, experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence (GBV, IPV, Child Abuse) and trauma, with demonstrated knowledge of the issues and impacts of gender-based violence on children and youth
• Demonstrated ability to develop safety plans for children and youth who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence
• An in depth understanding of the social influences and challenges children and youth face including peer pressure, physical image, substance use, bullying (cyberbullying), social media/internet use, online communication, sex/human trafficking, social isolation, etc.
• Knowledge and understanding of child and youth development and child and youth mental health issues.
• Experience working in a harm reduction model would be an asset.
• A critical understanding of trauma-informed, harm reduction, feminist, anti-oppression, anti- racist principles and frameworks and the demonstrated ability to incorporate them in all aspects of their work.
• Working knowledge of legislative systems that impact the lives of clients including but not limited to: Mental Health Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Child Protection Act, etc.
• Demonstrated knowledge of community resources, including resources for individuals with precarious immigration status, relevant legislation and social justice issues.
• Demonstrated knowledge of various systems impacting or intersecting with the lives of clients who have experience violence (eg. legal, child protection, immigration)
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of the intersections of violence, trauma, mental health and addiction
• Knowledge of and application the intersections of colonialism, oppression and marginalization and experiences of trauma.
• Extensive and applied knowledge of crisis management including, crisis prevention, intervention and problem solving that supports client and colleague safety and promotes overall health and safety
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of client-related and agency information.
• Ability to respect and promote an inclusive work environment to uphold the Culture of Wellness
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Ability to work equitably and collaboratively with cultural, racial, economic and socially diverse communities.
• Be a dedicated and flexible team player, able to interact with team members and colleagues at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work evenings and one Saturday shift each month
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills that considers the child or youth developmental capacity
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient with MS Office Suite, Internet search and navigating database systems.
• A Trauma Awareness/Trauma Informed Practice Certificate is an asset
• Vulnerable Sector Check and valid First Aid CPR AED Certification, required
• Ability to perform harm reduction supports are required for this position and may include but are not limited to: administration of Naloxone.

Women’s Habitat is unionized through CUPE Local 3877 and this position is within the bargaining unit.

Hourly Wage: starting at $20.68/hour increasing to $21.42/hr after 250 hours worked.

Accommodation: Should you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment and selection process we will be happy to accommodate as best we can. Please let us know by emailing: hr@womens-habitat.ca

Application: To apply for this position please forward your resume and cover letter to Human Resources at HR@womens-habitat.ca.