Shelter Care Specialist – Relief: Brenda’s House

Competition #BH-SCSR

The Children’s Cottage Society, established in Calgary in 1986, provides emergency shelter, crisis nursery, community respite, and family support programs to more than 3,500 children a year. The Society’s mission is to “Building strong children and safe, nurturing families through prevention programs and support services” and our vision is “Resilient children blossom in healthy families.”

Brenda’s House is an emergency shelter program for homeless families that supports transition into housing using a “housing first” model of service. Brenda’s House has been in operation since February 2009 and provides shelter and support services to 14 families at a time.

We are looking for experienced professionals with an empathic, non-judgemental view towards families with complex needs. The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting families while in shelter and planning with families to assist them in their efforts towards becoming rehoused in the community as quickly as possible.

The ideal candidate has a good understanding of the issues related to family homelessness and the principles of housing first. This person can work in a busy environment with competing priorities.

HOURS/WAGE:

Coverage as needed to support the shelter and client needs between 6:30am and 9:30pm. The Hourly Wage is $23.60.

JOB PURPOSE:

This position will be responsible for supporting families while in the shelter to develop/maintain healthy living habits to ensure a smooth transition back into their own home. The position will also be responsible to support community families who cannot access the shelter when it is at capacity and provide them with alternative supports. Staff will provide immediate basic needs resources, goal planning, and support to ensure families can avoid entering the shelter.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma in a Human Services field with related experience
• Minimum one year experience working with families with complex needs; experience in a residential program setting is an asset
• Experience working with vulnerable and/or homeless families
• Experience helping families with stressful situations
• Understanding of solution-focused support, family homelessness issues, and community resources for families
• Understanding regarding serving the needs of families from diverse backgrounds
• Comprehensive knowledge of family-related community resources and services
• Current Standard First Aid and CPR level C certification
• Current Suicide Intervention training certification
• Brain Story Certification Course (online training)
• Indigenous Awareness Teachings
• Diversity Training
• Harm Reduction and Naloxone Training
• NSQ Training is an asset
• Proficient computer skills

SKILLS:

• Have a thorough understanding of Housing First and Harm Reduction best practices
• A strong understanding of a housing focused shelter
• A strong understanding for prevention and diversion work is an asset
• Skills in developing and maintaining community partnerships
• Assessment and referral skills
• Ability to collaborate and coordinate with colleagues
• Understanding of solution-focused support, family homelessness issues, and community resources for families
• Understanding regarding serving the needs of families from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Word, Teams, and Outlook
• Basic skills in Microsoft Excel
• Experience using HMIS, ETO, or a similar client database is an asset 
• Ability to type answers while interviewing clients over the phone

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• • Phone screening, Intake and follow up
    • Respond to calls from families experiencing homelessness or imminent loss of housing, offering supportive and non-judgemental assistance and information regarding shelter access and community resources
    • Over the phone, screen for eligibility with respect to Brenda’s House and other agency services
    • Document all calls and follow-up contacts
  • Administration
    • Work collaboratively with Housing Support Workers
    • Work collaboratively with agency Triage Team
    • Manage resident access to facility and greet all visitors and volunteers at the door
    • Provide support to the team by scanning documents, filing, and following up on referrals
    • Monitor when vacant rooms are ready for occupancy and organize admissions for new placements.

• Ensure the Communication Log is accurate and up to date

• • • Maintain client files and ETO data system entries
  • Interact with families in shelter on a daily basis
    • Provide non-judgemental, family centered, and strength-based service
    • Work as part of a team to provide support to families staying in the shelter as they prepare to move back into their own homes
    • Support families with their daily routine in shelter and monitor the daily physical and emotional wellbeing of the family members 
    • Act as a role model showing positive interaction and problem solving
    • Be present in the day use areas to ensure that harmony is maintained between families, adults, and children
    • Respond to family questions and requests for support regarding shelter-related issues
    • Assist families with transportation needs by distributing bus tickets and providing taxi vouchers

• Direct families towards relevant community services and resources as needed

• • Work with Housekeeper to ensure that rooms are clean for new families
  • Work with Housekeeper to support families in maintaining clean rooms and helping them develop cleaning skills as necessary
• Ensure a healthy environment for children
  • Promote positive social interactions and help ensure child safety
  • Be present in the day use areas to ensure that children are receiving appropriate parental supervision and care
  • Provide childminding support to parents so that they can attend meetings with other staff
  • Assist in the daily shelter routines to ensure a safe, clean, and healthy shelter environment. This will include cleaning duties along with helping to prepare and serve meals when needed 
  • Assist Food Service Coordinator in serving meals to families
  • Preparing meals in the absence of the Food Service Coordinator

• • Crisis intervention

• Responding promptly to urgent housing crises or other emergencies faced by families, providing immediate assistance to deescalate the current crisis and refer internally as appropriate

• Other duties as assigned

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

• A Police Information Check, which includes a vulnerable sector search, is required prior to employment
• A Child Intervention Record Check is required upon commencement of employment
• Proof of Educational requirements to be provided at time of interview

 We appreciate the interest of all applicants; however, we will only contact those applicants selected for an interview. 

Please submit your cover letter and resume by email to: careers@childrenscottage.ab.ca
Please quote Competition #BH-SCS when submitting your resume and cover letter.