Substance Use Liaison

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

The primary objective of the Substance Use Liaison (SUL) is to provide prevention, intervention and support to youth and their families in relation to drug and alcohol use. The SUL works in a collaborative environment  and works closely with the RCMP School Liaison and Youth Intervention Program; Teachers, School Counsellors, Administration and other student support services, including Safe School Liaisons and Child, Youth Care Workers and District Resource Counsellors. The SUL has a designated area of the school district which he/she is responsible for and receives direction from Manager, Safe Schools.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Referral and Intervention

Works closely with the RCMP, Safe School Liaison, administration and teachers to identify students who are at risk, high risk or street involved.

Receives referrals from administrative staff, RCMP, and other community members with regards to youth with substance use issues.

Provides screening and assessment of a student's substance use through standardized assessment tools.

Provides acute crisis intervention and support for students and their families while in crisis.

Meets with students, parents, staff or others in the development of a personal treatment plan.

Provides referrals to appropriate treatment programs or outside community resources for further support.

Provides follow-up and support for those youth identified and referred out, upon their return to school.

Maintains case histories and statistics for students referred to the program and provides a written summary of involvement to referral source.

May be required to transport student to outside agencies for group facilitation sessions.

Community Justice Facilitation

Works one on one with identified youth and their families in determining the effect their substance use has on themselves, their lives and their family.

Awareness and Resource Support

Facilitates group sessions in relation to drug awareness and education.

Develops and presents classroom, staff and public presentations on various issues related to substance abuse.

Provides information in relation to effects of drugs.

Works collaboratively with outside community resources to provide consistent, relevant information on various topics related to substance use for students, staff and parents within the district.

Assists the School Liaison Officers in the delivery of the RCMP based prevention programs.

Provides support to elementary teachers in the implementation of the Steps to Prevention curriculum.

Initiates, develops and delivers brochures, handouts, literature, and cultural supports to school administration and staff relating to substance use.

Attends Youth Specific meetings, Case Conference and Integrated Case Management meetings, as required.

Where appropriate, may be invited by administration to participate in suspension resolution process in pre/post or actual resolution meetings.

Performs other related duties, as required.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

KNOWLEDGE ABILITY AND SKILLS

Ability to identify students with (or at risk of) substance misuse problems, sexually exploited students and those generally more marginalized and at risk than others.

Knowledge of practical methods of working with the above stated students.

Knowledge of relapse prevention techniques.

Broad knowledge of services within the community, including substance abuse treatment programs, and the ability to provide advocacy and make appropriate referrals.

Broad knowledge of a wide variety of illicit substances, how they are used, their effects, how they are manufactured and all dangers involved. As well as a broad knowledge of harm reduction techniques, intervention techniques and skills to support users and families.

Ability to identify individuals who may pose a potential risk to the school, the students or the surrounding property.

Ability to be observant and identify safety and security concerns and to resolve, refer and/or document them appropriately.

Demonstrated ability to interview students, prepare case histories, assess students' problems.

Ability to write reports (assessment, follow-up, progress reports, etc.).

Ability to establish working relationships with other community organizations in a variety of disciplines.

Experience in maintaining program statistics for purposes of evaluation and research. Ability to develop questionnaires, conduct surveys and compile and interpret statistics.

Ability to liaise and provide consultation to Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of government related to substance abuse.

Knowledge and training in mediation, restorative practices, or conflict resolution procedures.

Experience with supporting the leadership of youth.

Ability to utilize computers and specialized software applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, database systems, presentation software, internet, and email.

Demonstrated organizational and time management skills; detail oriented.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as collaboratively as a member of a team.

Interpersonal skills and the ability to form positive relationships of trust and respect with secondary students, their parents, community members and other school staff.

Broad knowledge of the youth criminal justice system, child protection laws, and MCFD and its departments.

Demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver public presentations on substance use for a broad audience at conferences, workshops or symposia.

Must be able to pass RCMP enhanced security clearance.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelors Degree in a relevant field; Psychology, Counselling, Addictions, Child and Youth Care, Sociology, Criminology or Social Work from a college or university recognized by the district.

Two years recent practical experience in street outreach, or working with youth with substance abuse issues. 

or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

LICENCES, CERTIFICATES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Class 4 B.C. Driver's Licence