Anti Human Trafficking - Youth In Transition Worker

Youth in Transition Worker (Anti Human Trafficking)

Full Time, 35 Hours / week

For forty years, we have maintained a steadfast dedication to our mission: supporting the vulnerable youth who come through our doors. To this day, we remain committed to this duty.

Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day. More than a place to stay, we provide 24/7 crisis shelter and transitional housing on-site and in the community, along with comprehensive services including education, counselling, health care, employment assistance, job training and after-care. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

As a national leader, we educate and advocate for long-term change to improve the lives of vulnerable youth. This includes influencing public policy, leading awareness and prevention programs and continually building and sharing our knowledge. As a learning organization, we strive for excellence and programs with impact.

We provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth's immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals.

Thanks to our donors, who contribute 80 per cent of our $44.2-million annual operating budget, we are able to deliver these comprehensive programs and services.

Overview:

The Anti-Human Trafficking Youth In Transition Worker is a key member of our Anti-Human Trafficking program. Our Anti-Trafficking Urban Response Model includes initiatives in prevention/early intervention, direct services to survivors and incorporates research and evaluation. We have established an advocacy service, crisis bed (2 beds), transitional housing (12 beds) and a peer facilitated group program for survivors. As established leaders we have shared our expertise through trainings, consultations, and online resource materials such as Traffic Stop.

We have developed therapeutic trauma informed; strength based best practices that effectively promotes recovery. Essential to that recovery is intensive trauma therapy. This position is part of our Enhancing Outcomes Project and will also provide intensive clinical supports through a trauma therapist who is grounded in the unique features of sexual exploitation trauma.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Youth in Transition Worker supports young people who are at risk of or have experienced human trafficking. The worker is responsible for providing systems navigation support, and life skills training.

Our Anti-Human Trafficking Youth in Transition Worker is familiar with trauma therapy principles and be grounded in adapting interventions to respect survivors’ need to control the pace of change and the intensity of the therapeutic relationships.

Responsibilities:

• Utilizing a trauma-informed approach to assessing and determining appropriate service needs of client including, but not limited to, treatment planning, safety planning, support referrals and housing
• Support project-specific deliverables to ensure alignment with overall department goals and objectives are met
• Collaborate with program staff, and other CHT services to promote the program
• Provide one-on-one support to participants, and ensure that they are equipped with the necessary skills to live independently and provide required life skill workshops are attended
• Provide services in locations deemed to be safe and convenient to youth (such as online, in shelters, in family homes, and other community settings)
• Develop and deliver highly engaging presentations to potential program participants and/or their case workers
• Work hours require flexibility to meet the needs of young people. This may mean some evenings and weekends are required.
• Maintain a list of community resources for internal and external referrals
• Documentation in participant’s record, including items such as assessments, participant goals, referrals and collaboration with participant support network, activities and progress related to plan elements, session notes, risk management and safety plans in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)
• Attend information sessions and community networking events in promoting our services
• Provide on-going case management support for up to 20 youth
• Perform other duties as appropriate and assigned
• Conduct initial screening assessments and with young people develop case management plans that includes system navigation and support referrals to identified program and services (e.g. housing, occupational therapy, harm reduction,

Qualification, Experience:

• Demonstrated ability in working with a trauma responsive, harm reduction approach and from an anti-oppression and culturally competent perspective/framework is essential
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth homelessness and anti-human trafficking
• Knowledge of adolescent developmental theory and specific issues related to street youth.
• Demonstrated organization ability to handle caseload requirements, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation.
• College or university degree or diploma in Child and Youth Work or equivalent.
• Understanding of the child welfare systems and the common needs of adolescent and transitional aged youth
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of issues related to adolescent/youth Human Trafficking, youth homelessness, 2SLGBTQ identities, mental health and substance use problems and disorders, and developmental and learning disabilities.
• Capacity to work virtually from a home office as well as in community and flexibility to work evenings and weekend hours as required
• Demonstrated competencies including communications, creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and self-care.
• UMAB, ASIST, First Aid, CPR and basic computer skills and a willingness to participate in on-going training
• Minimum two years’ experience working with young people experiencing homelessness and/or human trafficking.
• Excellent report writing skills and previous statistical data collections experience.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have Youth In Transition / Housing and community resources experience,a working knowledge of the Tenant Protection Act, and the welfare system

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter and resume directly to this job posting on or before August 15 2023.

At Covenant House Toronto we believe in a workplace culture of inclusion that is welcoming, respectful and safe for all staff. It is critical to Covenant House Toronto success to eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups. Equity groups have been, and continue to be, underrepresented and marginalized in the workforce, leadership roles, and in some specific occupations. Equity groups include but may not be limited to Indigenous persons, racialized people, gender diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and people with disabilities.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Covenant House Policy on Accommodation, a request for accommodation will be accepted as part of the Covenant House recruitment process