Indigenous Cultural Liaison Support Worker in Maple Ridge

The Indigenous Cultural Liaison Support Worker (ICL) provides the Indigenous lens and consults with Indigenous clients to provide/connect them with a range of Indigenous specific supports in the community, while advocating for access and rights as needed. These can include but are not limited to liaising with and/or supporting cultural activities/programming; Indigenous-led and informed case planning for Indigenous clients; connecting clients with outside organizational supports/connecting to agencies that assist; and accompanying clients in navigating the health and/or court systems.

In addition to these Indigenous specific supports, the ICL provides daily supports to all program participants, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, including medication administration, building security, crisis intervention, building maintenance, and front‑line overdose response. Using a culturally informed model that is rooted in harm reduction, the ICL walks alongside clients in their self‑identified and self‑determined goals for culture, connection/reconnection, and community integration; while advocating for access, rights, and Cultural Safety as needed.

Qualification:

• A Diploma in community social services
• Two years of recent, related work experience with an emphasis on mental health, addictions, homelessness and/or social services or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience
• Current First Aid and CPR certification; Naloxone Certification
• Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s Licence with an acceptable driver’s abstract

Support Worker Key Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Housing First and ability to apply the principles in practice
• Knowledge of community integration and its application for individuals living with mental illness
• Demonstrated understanding of community based service provision and an understanding of safe practice when providing outreach services and or working alone
• Ability to identify and work to increase client strengths, including the use of hope inducing strategies and assisting the client in self-managing their illness and other aspects of their life
• Knowledge of the integrated concurrent disorders recovery model for working with chronically homeless individuals
• Knowledge of recovery oriented practice in supporting individuals experiencing mental illness and/or problematic substance use
• Knowledge of mental health diagnoses, medications, treatment and support resources
• Basic knowledge of health care disciplines and their role in care
• Basic knowledge of legislation and government policies and procedures that relate to the client including the Residential Tenancy Act and the BC Mental Health Act.
• Knowledge of the bio-psychosocial addictions model, including stages of change and harm reduction
• Knowledge of diagnoses, treatment and support resources in the areas of substance use, physical health, HIV and Hepatitis C
• Knowledge of the housing continuum, including supported housing systems and program models for special needs populations
• Demonstrates understanding of oppression and marginalization as related to chronically homeless individuals
• Ability to effectively and safely resolve crisis situations
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to apply knowledge and experience of the case management process in a way that considers a holistic approach to wellness and that is responsive to cultural diversity
• Ability to establish workload priorities, adjust to new or unexpected events, problem solve, and deal effectively with conflict situations
• Ability to prepare and maintain written and computerized records, compile reports and complete other program documentation, including writing and updating service plans for primary caseload, writing progress notes, completing incident reports, on-call logs, letters, and documentation related to the program.
• Ability to operate computers and smart phones and efficient use of software applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel and web based applications
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position such as, but not limited to working in all-weather conditions, sitting/driving for long periods, assisting with packing and moving household items, lifting/carrying items up to 30lbs, climbing stairs.
• Access to an adequately insured and reliable vehicle must be available for use for all shifts worked.

Indigenous Cultural Liaison Key Skills and Abilities:

• Experience navigating paths to healing and work with individuals using culturally informed strategies
• Knowledge of the holistic addictions model including stages of change and harm reduction, cultural pillars of healing and cultural forms of medicine
• Knowledge of legislation and regulations related to Indigenous persons, including residential schools, the 60’s scoop, child and family welfare system; knowledge of indigenous cultures, services, ways of healing and recovery
• Fostering awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/MH among Indigenous community members – work to create paths to healing

Specific Job Duties:

• Research/connect individual and group supports for indigenous tenants regarding indigenous ways of understanding healing and recovery, indigenous services and resources, and indigenous culture.
• Walk beside indigenous tenants as they connect with community and cultural events and build supports with the tenant such as elders.
• Collaborate with additional ICL supports in the site around planning and running the programming
• Assist with creating an effective and supportive connection between the Indigenous/non-Indigenous service providers and community supports and tenants.
• Advocate for tenants as needed
• Assist to build connection to the greater community to promote healing and wellness beyond RCH building to foster connection circle of care and support
• Orientate new tenants to the role of the ICL and familiarize them with cultural services