counsellor, school

Abiona Centre For Infant & Early Mental Health (the ?Centre?), is a client-centered organization focusing on infant and early childhood mental health. We support pregnant and parenting young mothers aged 13- 29, along with their babies who reside at the Centre or in the community. As an accredited Children?s Mental Health Centre, we are the largest Young Parent Infant Centre in the province.

Our commitment is to create a better future for vulnerable pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children 0-6. Our infant and early childhood mental health programs give our clients the tools they need to build secure relationships with their babies, cope with life?s adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life. We offer a live-in treatment program, transitional housing, on-site high school programs, community housing support, housing and community support referral services, and maternal-infant mental health programs. Collaborating with community partners, our multi-disciplinary team provides wraparound programs addressing mental health, education, life skills, and transitional needs. The Centre also operates an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, along with two Early Learning Centres open to families, young women, and their children in the community.

Our vision is a world where families led by young women have the emotional and physical supports to realize their full potential.

The School Counsellor will provide programs and services to students enrolled in the Education and Community Partnership Program (ECPP), clients living in the Residential and Transitional Housing Programs, and adolescent parents living in the community. The School Counsellor will provide community resources, information and referrals and support these clients to achieve their education and related goals.

As a member of the multi-disciplinary team, the School Counsellor will focus on ECPP, information and referral, conduct therapeutic, educational programming, individual, group and family counselling, and contribute to the overall functioning, goals, objectives and outcomes of the program.

Position: School Counsellor (1 position at Humewood Campus )

Term: 1 Year Full-Time Temporary Contract

Rate of Pay: $45,601 per annum

Department: Community Programs

Reports to: Community Programs Supervisor

Qualification:

* Child and Youth Worker diploma or related Bachelor?s degree

* Current Standard First Aid, CPR and CPI

* At least 3 years? experience working in a community-based organization that supports the needs of vulnerable populations.

* Experience working with high-risk families, especially adolescent parents and their children, and families with complex physical and mental health challenges

* Knowledge of housing legislation, rental subsidy and income support programs, Housing First, Harm Reduction and Eviction Prevention approach

* Ability to respond to and support young families with mental health needs and addictions

* Experience supporting young families both individually and in group setting to find and keep their housing.

* Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.

* Excellent knowledge of community resources related to homelessness and adolescent parents and their children.

* Good oral, written and presentation skills.

* Bilingualism (French and English) is an asset.

* Proficient with word processing, data collection systems and email software

Working Condition:

* Physical demands ? lifting, walking, climbing stairways, bending, carrying items as required by program needs

* Occasional travel to meetings and appointments with clients.

* Flexibility to adjust working hours to accommodate program and service requirements

* Provide backup in the absence of other School Counsellors or Community Workers

Closing Date: Until Filled

The Centre offers a dynamic work environment and career advancement opportunities. The successful candidate must have a negative criminal reference check and vulnerable se