CharityVillage

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):

• Coordinate and implement prison in-reach programming on topics including, safer drug use, HIV, HCV and STBBI prevention, care and support
• Provide case management, support and advocacy for prisoners/ex-prisoners  living with and at risk for acquiring HIV/HCV
• Collaborate with linkage to care team, health and community partners to enhance post-release and re-integration linkage to care. This includes counselling, advocacy, and referrals, ensuring clients receive comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs
• Foster and maintain a diverse range of local health and social services to formalize the referral process and increase awareness of our services.
• Foster partnerships and collaborate with diverse community stakeholders to dismantle systemic barriers for people during the reintegration process and increase access to HIV and HCV testing and treatment.
• Participate in community development and local networks to identify and share information, and coordinate services to strengthen referral pathways
• Support the development of stigma free, culturally safe services for prisoners/ex-prisoners through the delivery of capacity building service provider training.
• Develop and maintain relationship with prison and detention centres to coordinate and deliver HIV, Hep C and Harm Reduction in-reach programming
• Develop and implement workplans and evaluation tools to measure program impact
• Maintain records, reports, and statistics necessary for program functioning, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.
• Perform other duties as required

Qualifications:

• Understanding of the health and social impact of the criminal justice system on individuals and society and experience working with HIV and HCV issues including a well-developed knowledge of relevant resources
• Experience developing, facilitating, and evaluating targeted education and training workshops.
• In depth knowledge of the social determinants of health
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of harm reduction principles and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain reciprocal relationships with healthcare providers and/or community support organizations
• Demonstrated understanding of the structural, economic, social and political contexts that impact individuals incarcerated in Ontario
• A strong commitment to advancing justice, equity, accessibility and inclusion both internally and in the way programs and services are delivered
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Effective time management, prioritization and organizational skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with other Coordinators on the team
• Proficiency in using basic computer applications (Microsoft Office and emails)
• Demonstrated knowledge of the structural, economic, social, and political contexts that affect both incarcerated people and those who were previously incarcerated in Ontario.
• Knowledge and application of cultural safety principles, trauma-informed approaches, and an ability and willingness to work closely with communities who are over-represented in the carceral system
• Demonstrated experience in community health, circle of care services, and/or case management (this can be through a combination of education and work experience)
• In-depth knowledge and experience working alongside equity-deserving communities and delivering low barriers services and programs

Position Requirements:

• Ability to obtain clearance into provincial correctional institutions
• Ability to conduct in-reach at Toronto South Detention Centre.and Metro East Detention Centre

Assets:

• Prior experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals and their family, including women and gender diverse folks, Black, and Indigenous community members, folks affected by HIV or HCV, and/or houseless community members
• Lived/living experience and/or extensive knowledge of incarceration, HIV/HCV
• Experience in program monitoring, and evaluation
• An ability to communicate in languages other than English

We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities, and others from equity-deserving communities. As part of this invitation, we recognize that there remains work for our entire sector to do as to commit to fostering the conditions for folks from equity-deserving communities to feel supported and valued in our work together. This is work that we feel must continue to be prioritized, both by PASAN and the sector at large.

Don’t be too concerned if you don’t tick all of the boxes when it comes to the requirements that we’ve outlined - especially if this role really excites and interests you. We would still love to hear from you.