Job Description

Organization

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta South Region's (CMHA, ASR) mission is to support individuals in their unique mental health journey. We do this by making connections, delivering programs, being an advocate, improving systems and sharing our expertise.

Program Information

Community LINKS collaborates with multiple independent programs, organizations, and services in Lethbridge to create a coordinated system of access to serve citizens more effectively. As an integral part of Lethbridge's Integrated Coordinated Access (ICA) system, Community LINKS offers direct assistance for people seeking to connect with social supports and services in Lethbridge and to coordinate these activities with an interdisciplinary team

Position Summary

Reporting to: Community LINKS/Diversion Outreach Team - Team Lead

Job Type:

Full Time - 40 hours per week - Day, evening and weekend work as required.

Location:

Working from multiple locations throughout the City of Lethbridge

Starting Wage:

$22.00

Community LINKS Support Navigators will manage comprehensive information, referral and intake processes (including wellbeing screening, assessment and formal referrals) to provide connection to supports and advocacy for participants. They will assist participants in accessing basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and transportation; assisting participants with self-identified goals, and connecting individuals to wrap around supports as needed. In addition to supporting individuals, Support Navigators will work with and support other tier trained system navigators looking for services for individuals that they may be supporting.

Community LINKS Support Navigators will operate in an integrated and collaborative way with other professionals to ensure that the best possible service is provided for a participant, utilizing the Lethbridge ICA website and resources to achieve these objectives. Community Links Team members will complete intakes at a place and time that is convenient to the participant, including in the community or onsite at other service providers, while following CMHA's working alone protocols and procedures.

Essential Duties / Responsibilities

Supporting individuals at various locations within the community

Provide access and/or referrals to multiple service programs through one process

Improve the speed, accuracy and consistency of the screening, assessment and referral process

Enhance the overall coordination of prevention and homeless services and reduce system-wide fragmentation

Work with a person-centered approach, offering respect and empathy towards participants and their decisions

Engage in person-centered, recovery orientated practice focused on improving or maintaining emotional, mental, and physical well-being and overall quality of life

Assist people in connecting to the most appropriate services regardless of the severity of the presenting issue

o Assist individuals in accessing basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and transportation in a timely fashion as resources are available

o Advocate for individuals and assist in navigating legal, financial, and medical options available in the community

o Assist individuals in accessing supports that enable them to live independently, have quality of life and/or remain housed

o Triage referrals in order to determine the most appropriate provider among an array of service providers, as well as other resources

o Provide anonymous and informal referrals to services when requested to do

o Complete screeners and other tools with individuals requesting services

o Assist with applications and forms when appropriate and requested to do so

Streamline the process for people to locate housing support services and stabilize housing

o Conduct Intake and complete assessments for individuals requiring referrals to the Coordinated Access Round Table (CART) for housing supports

o Collaborate and provide Intakes for other service providers to increase system efficiency and promote ongoing communication with participants

o Provide updates on referrals (information needed, suitability interview, warm transfers, etc.) to housing supports to individuals referred through Community LINKS to the CART

o Conduct intakes for individuals seeking to access Housing Stabilization Funds (HSF)

Encourage and facilitate cooperation & coordination among all community agencies and programs

o Actively liaise with human service organizations, health organizations, community groups, and peer support groups to build connections

o Provide mobile services at community locations and with partner organizations to reduce duplication of services

o Connection with community partners to help educate individuals on social and financial matters

o Host community partners at Community LINKS to increase awareness and knowledge of services

Update and maintain information on current services and support being offered in the community.

Complete all case notes, support plans, follow up forms and other documentation as per agency and accreditation standards

o Keep accurate records of activity, referrals and intakes, both electronically and written

o Collect and input data for funders and partners into Homeless Individuals & Family Information System (HIFIS) database

o Collect and input data above HIFIS requirements to inform program improvement and growth

Contribute constructively to the ongoing development of the team

Participate in and make use of all available training and development opportunities

Individuals Served

o Individuals who face barriers with system navigation, such as substance use, relationship breakdown, in transition, mental health issues, chronic medical issues, etc.

o Individuals who display a willingness to participate in the program

o Individuals who would benefit from information, service referrals, system navigation, short term case management and follow-up

Non-Participant Work

o Meetings with Supervisor as scheduled

o Team Meetings as scheduled

o Case Conferences as required

o Participation in community interagency committees as assigned

o Community Events as assigned

o Community Partner meetings/engagement as assigned

o Training as required per CMHA Policies

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

Ability to work well independently and as part of a team

Motivated, responsible, accountable, and mature

Ability to think critically and problem solve creatively while practicing reflexivity and reasonable, professional judgement

Work with initiative, commitment, and enthusiasm

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and written

Ability to prioritize workload and manage time effectively

Ability to build and nurture relationships with community agencies and professionals in the community to meet the referral needs of the target population

Ability to understand and practice a person-centred, strength-based approach to meeting individual needs.

Ability to build strong rapport with all individuals served and provide services in a respectful and professional manner

Ability to work without bias and promote inclusivity while working with diverse and/or marginalized populations

Extensive knowledge and relationships with resources available in the community

Ability to demonstrate knowledge of Community Practice, Assertive Engagement Strategies, Crisis Intervention Techniques, and Recovery Model

Must be able to maintain accurate comprehensive documentation. Documentation must be in accordance with agency standards, and according to funder requirements.

Must adhere to all CMHA Policy and Procedures.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited University in a related field or Completed post-secondary education from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field is preferred

Proof of registration with a recognized regulatory body if applicable

A combination of relevant education & experience, including:

o Experience working in the Lethbridge ICA system

o Knowledge and experience in harm reduction strategies, crisis intervention, and therapeutic communication

o Knowledge of outreach services, community service providers and local systems of care

o Knowledge and respect of local Indigenous culture and ways of knowing

o An understanding of homelessness, addiction, mental health and concurrent disorders

Conditions of Employment

Current First Aid CPR

Current and clear Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector (Less than 6 months old)

Current Youth Intervention Check (Less than 6 months old)

Possession of or ability to obtain valid Alberta Driver's license

Must own or have access to reliable vehicle

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: From $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Work Location: In person