ISHP - Housing Support Worker.
This is a one-year full-time contract position with the possibility of extension.

We are culturally based and community focused, and committed to driving positive change for the community. As a staff member of M’Wikwedong IFC you will have opportunity for professional growth, access to Elders and Traditional Knowledge Keepers, and a generous benefit package.

The ISR Coordinator position is to ensure that the intergenerational traumas caused by Indian Residential Schools are addressed through strengths-based approaches to achieve and maintain a good mind while promoting healthy lifestyles, improving individual and family emotional well-being, and providing access to cultural knowledge and activities that foster self-respect and identity.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a range of Outreach support services that promote wholistic wellbeing for those with experiencing homelessness, at risk of homeless or in a crisis situation with a focus on Indigenous clients facing difficulty in discharge from hospital for reasons of lack of safe and secure housing options.
• Provide financial aid to those needing short term financial support for personal services such as prescription medication costs, physiotherapy services, transportation, food vouchers, etc.
• Provide a range of opportunities for clients to learn daily life and living skills, while increasing their sense of community and belonging and connection to culture and traditions as necessary.
• Provide comprehensive culturally appropriate assessment and culturally relevant service plans.
• Educate clients about their tenant rights and responsibilities.
• Contribute to the coordination, planning and enhancement of local services, including those from Indigenous agencies and partners.
• Support the implementation of realistic and culturally relevant goals and objectives through regular community and home visits.
• Act as an advocate on clients’ behalf
• Access and utilize community resources for clients (i.e. furniture acquisition, household supplies, food banks, etc…)
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Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities):

• 3-year Diploma or Degree in applied health or social sciences (i.e. Social Work, Psychology, Nursing) with a focus on counselling and psychosocial rehabilitation and/or Indigenous specific studies relevant to this position.
• Membership in a professional college or association is preferred such as Social Worker or Nursing.
• Knowledge of Indigenous values, traditions, culture with understanding of local Indigenous populations in Grey Bruce region.
• Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation theory and the impact of mental illness on Indigenous individuals and on their families and community.
• Thorough understanding of Indigenous people, mental illness and inter-generational trauma, trauma informed practice
• Demonstrated ability to work well with peers, colleagues from other agencies, and with various consumer and stakeholder groups.
• Training and experience related to concurrent disorders would be a definite asset
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in culturally appropriate assessment, psychosocial rehabilitation, crisis intervention and counselling (including motivational interviewing and solution-focused therapy) for Indigenous peoples.
• Familiarity with treatment culturally relevant principles and techniques that apply across the continuum of psychosocial rehabilitation and mental health services, including case management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in teaching and training adults (Life Skills Coach certificate would be an asset)
• Sound judgement, particularly with respect to high risk or sensitive situations.
• Strong team skills and ability to work well with community and professional groups
• Maturity, sound judgement, a good sense of humour and ability to work well under pressure
• An understanding and appreciation of rural Indigenous communities.
• Proficiency in use of personal computers for email, data entry and word processing
• Must have a valid driver’s licence and the use of a personal vehicle
• A current Police Vulnerable Sector Check is a condition of employment
• A current Immunization record; proof of immunization is a condition of employment
• Willingness to participate in ongoing cultural learning and traditional teachings

M’WIKWEDONG IFC is a highly flexible organization offering additional compensation including paid cultural days, 4 paid holidays beyond mandatory Employment Standards, paid shutdown over the Christmas holiday week, and health benefits. M’WIKWEDONG IFC health benefits are offered to full time permanent employees, employees will be able to enroll upon the successful completion of their (3) three-month probationary period.

M’WIKWEDONG IFC is committed to providing a barrier-free work environment in concert with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. As such, M’Wikwedong IFC will make accommodations available to applicants with disabilities upon request during the recruitment process.

M’WIKWEDONG IFC strives to ensure that its employment practices are free from direct and indirect discrimination and is committed to upholding the human rights of those participating in the hiring process. In pursuit of this commitment, M’Wikwedong IFC will not condone or tolerate any acts of discrimination or harassment under any of the grounds protected under human rights legislation. This commitment extends to the hiring process and throughout the course of employment.

Since this position is engaged primarily in serving the interests of Indigenous people, M’WIKWEDONG IFC shall give preference to Indigenous people who possess the requisite skill sets and experience.