Program Coordinator & Social Navigator – Reclaiming Our Spirits Program (0.8 FTE)

We are seeking an individual who is passionate about promoting health and wellness equity in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) to assist the Kilala Lelum Health Centre in the role of Program Coordinator & Social Navigator (our reimagined version of Social Worker) for the Reclaiming Our Spirits program. Kilala Lelum (KL) aims to provide access to decolonized primary care, Allied Health services, and Elder-led cultural care to new and existing members of the Health Centre through an outreach-based, culturally-safe, strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, and harm reduction approach.

Reclaiming Our Spirits (ROS) is a health promotion program for Indigenous women-identifying people who have experienced intimate partner violence. Currently in its second year of operation, ROS provides regular nursing visits, clinical counselling, Elder care, and a weekly cultural circle. The interdisciplinary team includes two RNs, a Registered Clinical Counsellor, and an Elder. We’ve recently secured funding to expand the program in several meaningful ways, including the addition of a Cultural Coordinator and this Program Coordinator & Social Navigator position.

Under the leadership and guidance of Elders, Reclaiming Our Spirits–so named by the program members–continues to grow towards the reclamation of culture, a sense of connection to heritage and traditional teachings, and access to Elder knowledge. Using the additional funding, we plan to expand in this direction by offering land-based cultural outings every second month, enhancing the weekly cultural group, and offering ceremonies as members are welcomed into, and transition beyond, the program.

Other elements of the program that we plan to expand include supporting women to manage basics such as: housing security (through support from this position and funding available for women to establish and/or stabilize housing); psychosocial workshops every second month; and funding for childcare and transportation. The program aims to serve sixteen (16) women per year, with more intensive participation for 6-10 months followed by several months of transitional support and connection.

Job Summary:

The Program Coordinator & Social Navigator (0.8 FTE) will split their time between service delivery and coordinative/administrative tasks.

This position provides social navigation (social work) services for the program members (16 annually) with a specific focus on housing, income, food security, personal administrative needs (ex: ID), as well as navigating relationships with other service providers such as MCFD and delegated agencies.

In terms of housing, this position will develop a Housing Plan for members and work collaboratively with the KL Housing Worker, who will implement the Plan. As an example of this working relationship, the Program Coordinator & Social Navigator will work with the member to fill out housing applications while the Housing Worker will help the member physically move into housing.

This position also acts as the coordinator of the ROS program, which includes: receiving member referrals; organizing logistics for the weekly circle, monthly workshops/outings, and welcoming/graduation celebrations (in collaboration with the Cultural Coordinator); scheduling and taking minutes for the monthly ROS team meeting; managing the program budget; and monitoring and evaluation.

This position is best suited for someone who is well-organized and detail-oriented and enjoys a more administrative-focused social navigation role. The approximate breakdown of the role is ½ coordination/administration and ½ service delivery.

Responsibilities:

Social Navigation (Social Work)

Establish, maintain, and enhance therapeutic relationships based on respect, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and harm reduction principles.
Create and implement Social Navigation Plans of Care and Housing Plans (as needed) and work with members to complete related applications and referrals.
Work collaboratively with the Housing Worker to implement Housing Plans and provide housing-related supports and resources.
Work collaboratively with the ROS interdisciplinary team to adapt and/or improve the Plan of Care as needed, complete wellness checks, document relevant information, and escalate within care teams as necessary.
Document relevant information in OSCAR EMR (Electronic Medical Records), communicate proactively, and collaborate with relevant KL providers.

Program Coordination

Receive program referrals and coordinate intake through monthly ROS team meetings (intake process to be performed by the RNs).
Schedule and take minutes for monthly ROS team meetings.
Guide the planning process (with the ROS team and program members) and coordinate and perform logistics including: ordering food, providing bus tickets and childcare honorariums,and sourcing materials for weekly member groups, monthly workshops/outings, and welcoming/graduation celebrations, in collaboration with the ROS Cultural Coordinator and Peer Workers.
Perform administrative duties including: ordering/spending, record keeping, reporting, monitoring & evaluation, and budget management. This includes a monthly report to the funder and a quarterly report for KL.

Qualifications & Skills:

Bachelor of Social Work required and/or Master of Social Work preferred. Consideration will be given to candidates with a comparable combination of education, training, and experience, especially in the realm of housing services and/or supporting women-identifying people, children and families (please describe in your cover letter).
Two (2) years of recent related work experience, with strong preference for experience with Indigenous women, women who’ve experienced gender-based violence, and/or housing services, or a comparable combination of education, training, and experience (please describe in your cover letter). Experience working in Vancouver’s DTES is an asset.
Experience with program coordination and/or administration, such as budget management, scheduling, and logistics.
Demonstrated understanding, commitment, and ability to be culturally safe and culturally appropriate with KL members. Experience and knowledge of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous culture would be extremely beneficial. Completion of a cultural competency course or willingness to participate required.
Demonstrated understanding, commitment, and ability to deliver strength-based, trauma-informed, member-centered, harm reduction and recovery-oriented practices.
Current full registration with the British Columbia College of Social Workers.
Preference will be given to candidates with Indigenous ancestry.
Desire to work with women who’ve experienced gender-based violence and to provide exceptional service.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and maintain good working relationships within the team and with community partners.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to manage your own workload and meet deadlines.
Experience with electronic medical records (EMR), preferably OSCAR, would be beneficial.
Knowledge of appropriate legislation, including the Child, Family, and Community Services Act; Mental Health Act; Adult Guardianship Act; and Public Health Act, as they relate to the rights and obligations of members and staff.

Working Conditions:

Administrative work will be performed at Kilala Lelum (626 Powell Street), with ability to work from home as suitable to the program. Social Navigation work will also be performed at Kilala Lelum, with some outreach services performed in and around the DTES. Working schedule is 32 hours/week, Monday-Thursday from 9am-5pm with some variation based on program events and outings.

Supervision Provided:

Work will be carried out independently with support and mentorship provided by the Allied Canoe Lead. This position will also receive support and mentorship from the ROS team and the Social Navigation team, with the option to attend weekly Social Navigation meetings. The Social Navigator/Program Coordinator’s work will be monitored and reviewed by the Allied Canoe Team Lead.

Supervision Responsibility:

This position will engage, direct, and supervise the ROS Peer Workers in collaboration with the ROS team.

Additional Information:

Anticipated start date September 2022.
Successful candidates will be required to complete a Criminal Record Check.
Hourly salary will be based on the Health Sciences Professional Grid, commensurate with local health authorities.
Robust extended health and dental benefits available to qualifying staff.
Kilala Lelum Health Centre is committed to equity and diversity, and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or membership or self-identification as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

To Apply:

Please send your resume and cover letter to fleurie.hunter@uihhc.ca. Your cover letter should outline your interest in the role, how your background and experience meet the requirements and make you a good fit for the role. Applications will be assessed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled.