Job Description

Friends of Ruby is a charity dedicated to the progressive well-being of LGBTQI2S youth, aged 16-29 through mental health services, social services, and housing.

Friends of Ruby operates a Youth Centre and a Transitional Home. The Centre provides access to barrier free counselling and therapeutic groups, case management and a drop-in space with hot meals, community, and comprehensive programming. The Home provides transitional and emergency housing, as well as mental health and life-skills to support youth moving towards independent living.

Friends of Ruby recognizes that a diverse workforce is critical to accomplishing our mission. Our goal is to attract, develop, and retain highly talented employees from diverse backgrounds allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives.

We strongly encourage applications from the LGBTQI2S and BIPOC communities, and diverse backgrounds that meet the requirements of the job posting. We suggest applicants introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to their level of comfort.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Youth Services Manager, the Case Worker will provide support, engagement and case management services with an interdisciplinary team to high-risk LGBTQI2S youth accessing services from Friends of Ruby at both the Transitional House and the Youth Services Centre, while working collaboratively with other health and human service providers.

Responsibilities include: intake and assessment, case management, crisis intervention, determining the available assistance and resources participants require, care planning, referrals, case coordination and advocacy, documenting participant meetings using our client management system, keeping track and following up on participants progress.

The case worker will work with youth to meet their needs within multiple systems and will help participants to gain access to health care, housing, financial support, mental health services, trans supportive services, education, transition from the Friends of Ruby Home towards independent and sustainable living and other areas as indicated as goals by the youth.

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

Intake Process

• Conduct an initial and ongoing assessment of participants’ youth needs and revise the plan of care as required.
• Conducts intakes, service planning and discharge plans for all participants.

Case Management 

• Develop and maintain professional and trusting relationships with youth that encourage positive social and emotional development.
• Manage the City of Toronto Shelter system for intake and discharge processes and ensure effective screening criteria is applied equally to all applications.
• Coordinate inter-disciplinary services for residents living in the Friends of Ruby Home and accessing services at the drop in making referrals based on appropriate match between youth’s needs and available resources.
• Create, monitor and update specific housing plans for every participant, supporting each of them moving from transitional housing in a suitable community setting.
• Work collaboratively with youth to address their full range of needs by establishing short-term and long-term intervention goals for each youth using strengths based, client centered, anti-oppressive, harm reduction, youth development approach.
• Facilitate groups and workshops on subjects such as housing, employment, social assistance, life skills, and system navigation.
• Support participants who need to be re-housed to select, rent and move into the new housing with the assistance of support workers in the house. Maintain a Housing Locator inventory.
• Develop a comprehensive participant discharge plan to address ongoing support needs, crisis contact information, and additional resources to support as required.
• Rotate the crisis phone on a rotation.
• Manage crisis, recognize and provide appropriate intervention as needed. Address youth conflict directly and respectfully while avoiding power struggles. Teach and model effective problem solving and conflict negotiation.
• Liaise with Residential Housing Workers, Drop In Support Workers and Clinical Counselors to ensure wrap-around supports for each youth.
• Advocate and support youth in all areas of community social need and outreach – housing, shelter, employment, education, welfare, medical issues, mental health issues, legal/financial assistance, immigration/refugees/newcomer support etc., advocating for adequate service, treatment models and resources.
• Maintains confidentiality related to all activities and information of sensitive nature.
• Ensure the facility and services adequately meet the physical, social and development needs of participants; and the protection of each individual’s health, safety, comfort and well-being.
• Support in the implementation of all the City of Toronto and Ministry of Health protocols towards COVID-19 measures and ensure protocols and guidelines are being followed.

Community Relations

• Lead and participate in consultation services and case conferences with service providers to discuss care plans and service needs.
• Connect with formal and informal supports, peer support, professional services, and resources to promote their recovery, improve their quality of life, and reduce the likelihood of relapse.
• Advocate with referral agencies as needed and when appropriate to facilitate referral for identification of client needs.
• Seek opportunities to be involved in and contribute with partner agencies and the community sector, establishing and maintaining productive working relationships with other community-based organizations;

Administrative 

• Maintain accurate and up to date clinical records related to caseload and statistical information within legal and ethical professional standards.
• Be able to flex your hours to meet the needs of the participants and operations of the House and the Drop In.
• Research and connect youth to community resources and supports which recognize and can address the unique needs of youth identifying as part of the LGBTQ2IS community.
• Coordinate internal and external services for the participant and advocate on behalf of the participant to ensure the receipt of appropriate and timely services.
• Distribution of bus tickets and petty cash for participants needs according to agency policies and procedures.
• Actively participate in organization’s meetings and training as required.
• Attend Community Partner information sessions and external meetings and share takeaways with the team to ensure up-to-date best practices for the Case Management team.
• Prepares metrics reports per Management’s request.
• Provide spontaneous and operational support for participants at the drop-in center, which may include: addressing participants’ inquiries, conflict resolution, performing reception duties, supporting with food programming and more.
• And other duties, as directed and deemed necessary for the wellbeing of the participant, the delivery of the department’s priorities or to meet key deadlines.
• And other duties as assigned.

Who you are 

We are looking for a member of the LGBTQI2S community Case Worker to support the Organization’s efforts towards providing progressive support to LGBTQI2S youth in our Youth Services Centre and in our Transitional House in Downtown Toronto.

You’re a team player with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, who manages change effectively in an ever-changing environment. You have extensive experience as a Case Worker supporting marginalized individuals on a 1 on 1 basis, facilitating workshops, advocating for their needs and making connections with internal and external resources.

You appreciate an opportunity to collaborate and harness the knowledge of LBGTQ12S youth with lived experience of hardship, marginalization, homelessness, mental health challenges, with rich experiences and knowledge to offer.

You have an understanding of substance use, mental health and harm reduction gained through direct experience working with marginalized individuals, providing support through an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, strengths-based, client-centered and trauma informed lens, preferably to LGBTQI2S youth.

We’re looking for someone who can work effectively with staff, participants, partner agencies and government agencies to address service inquiries, requests and/or complaints, apply verbal de-escalation and crisis prevention techniques in defusing potentially volatile situations.

Competencies, Qualifications and Experiences  

• Degree in Social Work, psychology, or a related program and/or an equivalent combination of education/experience in the social services sector.
• 2+ years experience providing case management to youth related to such issues as homelessness, mental health, trauma, transitioning and/or coming out, substance use, family support, trauma, abuse, accessing legal/financial support, housing, employment and education.
• 2+ years of experience in crisis support and intervention in shelter or housing settings.
• Knowledge of housing related resources, housing rights issues and the continuum of care for homeless persons.
• Knowledge of the city of Toronto’s social housing and shelter programs, systems and intake software program will be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience working with LGBTQI2S youth experiencing marginalization and under representation, racialized communities, newcomers/refugees/immigrant populations, indigenous youth and those living in poverty.
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice, harm reduction, anti-racist and anti-oppression practices, and to strengths-based, trauma-informed, participant-centered practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Residential Tenancies Act, community agencies, and relevant programs and services.
• Experience assessing and prioritizing needs and knowledge of community-based resources and government agencies related to the needs of LGBTQI2S youth.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within a team, to problem solve, and to remain flexible and able to adapt within a busy and changing environment.
• Ability to manage conflict, crisis and escalating situations calmly and confidently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality, and a positive work ethics.
• Has experience working in a not-for-profit, LGBTQI2S community and/or social justice environment, housing/shelter.
• Has knowledge / lived experience with the diverse experiences and identities of LGBTQI2S communities.

Additional requirements  

• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Police Check Program.
• Must be qualified to legally work in Canada.
• Willing to work at a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the youth, working evenings. and on occasion weekends, at both facilities in Downtown Toronto.
• Ability to travel to other community-based settings as needed.

Statement on Employment Equity and Diversity  

We are committed to ensuring that members of traditionally marginalized groups, from a broad range of communities, feel empowered to apply for positions within the organization. We encourage qualified applicants to consider work and volunteer opportunities with Friends of Ruby as we recognize that a diverse work force and volunteer base are critical to accomplishing our mission. The organization is dedicated to taking proactive steps to overcome historical patterns of discrimination in our society which have created barriers of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, language, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression for some individuals and have resulted in the denial of their full participation in society.

Your application    

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter. We thank all candidates for their interest. We regret that only those selected for an interview will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you require an accommodation (including alternate format materials, accessible meeting rooms or other accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: Not Disclosed.

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