Community Bridger / Outreach Support Worker

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Under the general direction of the Community Bridging Coordinator and/or Manager of Community Support Services, the Community Bridger: facilitates and supports the individual in becoming aware of the community; facilitates increasing inclusion of individual into the community; facilitates and supports the individual in making informed choices; encourages  and facilitates the making and maintaining of friendships within the community by the individual; encourages and supports the individual in developing  leisure activities; contributes to and supports the implementation of annual service plans and individual training plans for each individual; completes various observations notes, records, expense claims, timesheets, and reports.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general direction of the Community Bridging Coordinator, the incumbent in this position will be required to:

 Promote and support the individual in becoming aware of the community by:

• providing the individual with information regarding self-advocates roles, rights, expectations and benefits of being a part of the local community
• arranging and supporting the individual in opportunities to become familiar with and involved in the community
• encouraging and supporting the individual in exploring the community 
• providing the individual with a broad spectrum of community experiences including the various cultures, amenities, facilities, etc.

Facilitate increasing inclusion of individual into the community by:

• working with the individual to identify the breadth of choices that are available for inclusion into the community
• assisting the individual in identifying his/her needs, desires, and goals 
• identifying the approaches, resources, opportunities etc. that are available in meeting these needs, desires, etc. 
• explaining and assisting the individual in meeting community expectations
• introducing and supporting the individual in meeting and relating appropriately to the providers of activities services, etc.
• assisting and supporting the individual in the recognition, development and practice of appropriate social skills and behaviours
• ensuring that the community is aware and open to the individual’s inclusion
• determining with the individual, the level of satisfaction and/or inclusion the individual experienced

 Facilitate and support the individuals in making informed choices by:

• helping the individual identify areas where decisions and choices can or must be made and promote self advocacy
• encouraging and assisting the individual in gathering information
• instructing and assisting the individual in the development of options and alternatives
• helping the individual evaluate the alternative choices and options
• assisting the individual in evaluating the results and modifying future decisions

 Encourage and facilitate the making and maintaining of  friendships within the community by the individual by:

• promoting and supporting meaningful personal relationships with community members
• providing advocacy, personal choice and expression
• providing opportunities for the individual to meet appropriate individuals
• assisting the individual in recognizing the variety of relationships that are available
• encouraging the individual to build relationships based on the individual’s strengths, interests, qualities, and values 
• identifying, with the individual’s input, those relationships that are essential, those that are freedom of choice and those that are mutually beneficial 
• assisting the individual in expanding his/her circle of friends and acquaintances
• assisting the individual in dealing with relationships that might have a sexual content

 Encourage and support the individual in developing leisure activities by:

• exposing the individual to various options
• securing the necessary approvals from family, guardian, supervisor, etc.
• encouraging and assisting the individual in pursuit of his/her choice of activities
• assessing the individual’s satisfaction with the activity
• making suggestions and working with the individual to modify, as required, the individual’s participation in chosen activity

 Contribute to and support the implementation of annual service plans and individual training plans for each individual by:

• participating in the development of these plans
• identifying opportunities for attaining and/or contributing to the attainment of the goals 
• measuring progress, and reporting as required after each activity and in regular monthly and quarterly assessments
• suggesting methods and approaches that may be more effective in implementing the plans and meeting the objectives
• supporting other staff in their endeavours to make the individual successful
• maintaining open communication with the Coordinator, Manager and guardians
• participate in the completion of, and regular review, of the Workplace & Individual Hazard review(s) 

 Participate in the daily completion of various observation notes, records, expense claims, time sheets, and reports by:

• keeping observations notes and other records of activities 
• documenting required information i.e. reports, observations in a timely, accurate and professional manner
• obtaining receipts and other required documentation to support claims, etc.
• attending monthly staffing meetings
• completing of timesheets and confirmation of shifts worked on Employee Centre
• regularly checking Parkland C.L.A.S.S. Office 365 email, Employee Centre, and ShareVision for updates, communication regarding expiring mandatory training, personnel file documents and other important information from the office

EXPERIENCE:

• The skills and knowledge listed above will likely have been gained through a minimum of one (1) year of experience in a related field of endeavour.

               EDUCATION:

To adequately perform the duties of this position the incumbent will have completed Grade 12 and ideally have completed one additional year of post-secondary course work that has some relevance to community service and/or to the goals and objectives of Parkland C.L.A.S.S. Note: Some equivalency of experience and/or education may be accepted.

               SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Medically fit to perform job duties
• Clean Criminal Record /Police Intervention Check or one that is acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer
• Clean Child Intervention Record Check or one that is acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence and vehicle may be required            

• Clean driver’s abstract or one that is acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Operating Officer may be required
• Vehicle registration and automobile insurance may be required