Outreach Worker at Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin

Why join CMHA Peel Dufferin?

Support your community. Advance your career. Fulfill your purpose.

Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. For starters, we’re honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help.

What We Offer

As a community-based agency, we’re dedicated to the mental, physical, and social health of everyone – including our team members. That’s why we’re proud to offer a total rewards package that helps our team members balance their professional and home life. You’ll also be empowered to keep learning new skills and reaching your goals – from developing a career growth plan to participating in training sessions.

In addition to competitive benefits like Employee Family Assistance Plan and optional extended health and dental benefits, we offer our team members some unique perks that really stand out:

• 4 weeks accrued vacation
• Up to 18 paid sick days accrued per year, plus 2 flexible days each year
• HOOPP Pension Plan
• Ongoing professional development plus $250 annual funding for continuing education and certifications
• $350 annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals
• Participation in organizational pay for performance incentive program

We are looking for an Outreach Worker to join our team!

As part of the Outreach team, the Outreach Worker will support individuals in accordance with the Housing First philosophy of immediate access to permanent housing with no readiness requirements, consumer choice and self-determination, recovery orientation, individualized and client driven supports, and social/community integration.

Reporting to the Program Manager, Outreach Services, our Outreach Team provides services to the homeless population in Peel Region, in particular, identifying people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and engaging them in services that support their challenges with mental illness or mental health and substance use.

Status: Permanent full-time, 12 hour rotating shifts with the requirement of working weekends and holidays.

Salary: $61,201.01 - $72,001.19 annually. (Candidate qualifications will be considered when determining the starting salary)

Location: This position is based out of our 60 West Drive, Brampton Ontario office. Although we operate within a hybrid workplace model, staff are required to have on-site and/or community presence as per program and client needs.

Note, this posting is for an active vacancy.

What You Will Do:

• Build client capacity, empowerment and create self-reliance
• Develop and initiate relationships with prospective clients based on trust, respect, and honesty
• Aid with securing/matching appropriate affordable housing for those who are homeless or at risk in the Region of Peel
• Support the transition of persons into housing utilizing a Critical Time Intervention Approach to Housing-Based Street Outreach. Set short and long-term goals with persons involved and create and document support plans to reach those goals. Make additional referrals as appropriate.
• Complete initial intake assessments and discharge assessments at the appropriate date(s) and other documentation as required.
• Conduct Case Conferencing with support system of persons involved in the program.
• Maintain professional relationships with referral sources and other service providers.
• Make minimum of one weekly community/home visit with unsheltered or those at risk of homelessness to offer support, connect to resources, etc.
• Advocate with participants as required (i.e. Landlord relations, EIA, Residential Tenancy Board)
• As appropriate, work with Region of Peel Housing Stability Workers to support life skills teaching to help build Client capacity to maintain housing, especially focusing on tenancy skills and knowledge
• Provide input into ongoing policy, service enhancement, and program evaluation
• Provide and consult with management team on weekly plans, schedules, and reports
• Support the overall operation of the Street Outreach and Street Helpline responses.

This posting description indicates the key responsibilities and core functions of the position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities.

What You Need to Join Our Team:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline (e.g. BSW, MSW, OT, RN)
• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting those experiencing homelessness in a community setting
• Experience working in an outreach setting with strong, demonstrated understanding of Outreach evidence informed practices is an asset
• Previous case management experience is preferred
• A personal experience with mental health, addiction and/or homelessness and established recovery, as well as a willingness to share experience is an asset
• The following experience / trainings are an asset with an expectation to attend trainings as they become available:
• Housing First
• Harm Reduction
• Motivational Interviewing
• Assertive Engagement
• Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention
• ASIST
• CPR and First Aid
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to approach, listen, build trust, and communicate across diverse cultures and intersectionality. Willingness to continually improve understanding around cultural competence.
• Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.
• Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.
• Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.
• Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair and ability to travel within and around Peel Region and Dufferin County.
• A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report.