Youth Advocate

Job Responsibility:

Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate

Full- Time, Permanent

Downtown Toronto, Onsite

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 life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth's immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter transitional housing options on-site and, in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community.

For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and to protect and safeguard all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.

Overview:

Covenant House's 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 Traffick Stop.

Responsibilities / Duties:

• 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
• Supporting staff in identifying survivors of human trafficking/sexual exploitation in our programs and in the community; acting as the primary contact for survivors residing in the Crisis bed program within the Shelter program
• Active case management for a high-volume case load; preparing and sharing case notes and plan updates in a timely manner to appropriate programs/partners
• Providing counseling support to young people through a trauma informed framework
• Supporting young people to navigate connected systems. This may include acting as a liaison with outside agencies and referral sources to coordinate service plans for young people
• Responsible for escorting young people to court, legal proceedings and supporting them through victim impact statements
• Actively engaging in monthly Advocate case review meetings and participates in case reviews, team meetings, shift changes and program meetings as required in other Covenant House Toronto programs that young people supporting are active in
• 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)
• Facilitation and creation of community workshops, presentations and consultations (will include local and occasional out of town travel)
• Provide input and feedback on both internal and external referrals to the Rogers Home and Avdell Home
• To respond with Crisis Intervention in situations of physical confrontation, and medical and psychiatric emergencies for youth who have recently experienced trauma
• Responsible for facilitating family engagement where appropriate
• Responsible for assisting youth through immigration/refugee process as required
• Provide services in locations deemed to be safe and convenient to youth (such as online, in shelters, in family homes, and other community settings)
• Work with stakeholders and partners to develop and promote this new specialized youth service
• Maintain client files and complete all required documentation in a timely manner.
• With support from the Anti-Human Trafficking Manager, monitor program data to identify trends and gaps in services, including participating in assessment and evaluation tools and measures to support the research and evaluation of the program's work
• Monitor that confidentiality, professional ethics and professional standards are maintained through the case management process. And ensure all participant files are maintained according to agency and professional standard
• Perform related duties as assigned by the Anti-Human Trafficking Manager

Skills / Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Worker, MSW or degree equivalency is required. Registration in the OSWSSW college is an asset
• 2 years' experience working with youth who are survivors of, or at-risk of Sexual Exploitation, sex trafficking and Gender Based Violence is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability in working with a trauma responsive, harm reduction approach and from an anti-oppression and culturally competent perspective/framework is essential
• Knowledge of community resources and systems relevant to youth homelessness and anti-human trafficking
• Working knowledge of Resiliency theory and Stages of Change
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with intense, acute youth situations and circumstances
• Sound understanding of family dynamics, adolescent development and attachment theories and an ability to apply them is required.
• 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.
• Demonstrated organization ability to handle caseload requirements, compile statistical data and reports for review and evaluation.
• Capacity to work virtually from a home office as well as in community and flexibility to work evenings and weekend hours as required
• UMAB, ASIST, First Aid, CPR and basic computer skills and a willingness to participate in on-going training
• Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking and a self-directed working style
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and organizational skills and ability to work independently
• Demonstrated competencies including communications, creativity, flexibility, teamwork, and self-care.

Interested applicants are welcome to apply with their cover letter and resume in one document directly to this post no later than December 11, 2023. Only candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be contacted. No agencies or phone calls, please.

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.