POSITION SUMMARY:

The Enhanced Youth Outreach Worker Program supports at-risk and high-risk youth and their families to better navigate and connect with services and pro-social opportunities in their communities to improve youth outcomes.

The youth outreach workers provide a continuum of services including intensive one-on-one support to high-risk Black youth ages 12 to 29 and their families to prevent youth from further risk / violence. High-risk youth are youth who may be experiencing challenges related to mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship violence, human / sex trafficking and / or may be involved in criminal activities; and who have been involved in specific incidents or conflicts (fight at school, interaction with the police, sibling in conflict with the law) that increase their risks.

The definition of Black is being used in its most inclusive sense to reflect the diverse ancestry, origins and ethnic identities of individuals of African and Caribbean descent. The term is based on self-identification and is used by Statistics Canada.

This position is part of the Government of Ontario’s initiatives to support underserved, high risk Black youth under the Ontario Youth Action Plan. As such, eligibility is limited to individuals who self-identify as Black.

All candidates must be available to work full time, have reliable access to transportation and willing to start immediately

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor of Social Work, Masters of Social Work and/or relevant experience, or Bachelors of Psychology, Counselling Psychology and eligible for certification / membership in a registered professional association
Demonstrated ability delivering intensive, short-term counselling and support services to Black youth in crisis, helping them to address their specific challenges, and referring and supporting them to access required services;
Demonstrated ability to support family members of high-risk Black youth, and refer them to required services;
Skill in managing the case plans of multiple, high-risk Black youth clients and their families;
Skill in establishing trusting relationships with Black youth;
Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team;
Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively with a range of community groups and service providers across sectors;
Ability to work full time, in-person ( Monday to Friday) including flexible hours as needed
Hold a G2 or equivalent driver’s license and have access to a vehicle for work.

Cultural Experience:

Strong understanding of the specialized needs of Black youth who may be experiencing challenges related to anti-Black racism, such as mental health, addictions, trauma, relationship violence, human / sex trafficking and / or involvement in criminal activities;
Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and diverse needs, identities and cultural backgrounds of Black youth in underserved communities;
Knowledge of the community including knowledge and understanding of culture and local programs and services to refer Black youth, such as mental health and counselling supports;
Experience working and engaging within the Black community, specifically Black youth and their families.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Working as a part of the Youth Outreach Worker team, the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker will:

Provide short-term, counselling and support services to Black youth in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model adapted for the Youth Outreach Worker Program.
Collaborate to identify Black youth who may require additional, more intensive services, and work with the Youth Outreach Worker to align support services for individual Black youth.
Develop and oversee a short-term case management plan for Black youth clients, in partnership with the Youth Outreach Worker, and support Black youth by:
Helping Black youth to identify their needs, goals, aspirations, skills and abilities as well as barriers to accessing services;
Helping Black youth to build resiliency, pro-social skills and other protective factors to address their various risk factors;
Black youth who experience additional risk factors and challenges, such as poor mental health due to anti-Black racism.
Helping Black youth to address the specific incidents / risk factors that may bring them into conflict with peers, family, and / or the law;
Providing Black youth with general information, contacts, referrals and support as needed to build assets and address needs (e.g., housing, employment, education, health care and recreation; social and emotional issues); and
Referring Black youth to appropriate services in the community, and supporting them to access these services.
Support parents and family members to help youth address their needs by providing short-term counselling, if needed, and referring parents and family members to other supports and services available in the community.
Maintain collaborative working relationships with other professionals within and outside of the organization.
Enter and maintain accurate and complete service data in the Outreach Record in a timely manner
Assist if needed with other duties assigned by Program Director or Manager of HSDC

In collaboration with the Manager and team: The selected candidate will:

Promote community awareness of the Youth Outreach Worker Program and maintain a recognizable community presence;
Identify emerging issues, service gaps and opportunities for action to build community capacity; and
Identify staff development / training needs and participate in staff development / training programs, as required.
Maintain professional and evidence-based standards of practice in accordance with the Stages of Change intervention model, a positive youth development framework and relevant legislation (e.g., Child and Family Services Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act).
Carry out other duties as assigned as part of the Youth Outreach Worker Program.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $26.00-$29.00 per hour

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Heritage Skills Development

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Youth Outreach Worker