Host Families provide a safe and supportive environment for youth in their healing and recovery journey from substance use. A safe, accepting, and supportive home environment is essential for youth to begin their journey towards a brighter future.
Threshold Housing Society, Supported Recovery Program, is a program for youth aged 15 to 21 to access support around addiction and recovery. This program has 7 live-in beds, one respite bed and a Host Family recovery bed that will support one participant.
The Supported Recovery Program (SRP) is a safe and supportive environment that youth can access to work toward their goals around substance use and recovery, mental health, life skills, accessing community supports, housing and other areas. All staff within the Supported Recovery Program are there to support youth in their individualized goals and plans for the future.
Youth can stay in Supported Recovery Program for up to 120 days and during that time staff will help youth develop a safe plan for when it is time for them to exit the program. It is the goals of the program to walk with youth to ensure they have safe housing and support.
Your role as the host family provider:
- The host family, you, will have an opportunity to change the trajectory of a youth’s life by providing them a safe, accepting environment to call home.
- This gives an opportunity for a youth to build a positive, healthy relationship with an adult. You will provide guidance to the youth in daily tasks and life skills – making meals, keeping their room tidy, and helping them restore their physical and mental health. Especially through meaningful and engaging discussions on achieving a balanced, positive, and healthy life.
- You will be a valuable resource in the life of the youth and a critical component to ensuring a well-rounded support system is in place. The Threshold staff will ensure you are well supported during this role.
What are the requirements needed to become a Host Family?
- You will need to be 21 years or older.
- You will need to successfully complete a Criminal Record Check for working with children and vulnerable adults.
- You must have an appropriate accommodation that meet Threshold’s standards for residential care.
- You must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle and appropriate insurance.
- You must have/or receive your First Aid Certification, Non-violent Crisis Intervention Certification (training funded by Threshold).
- You will need to successfully pass a Threshold Home Assessment and Safety Inspection.
What are important qualities to have as a Host Family?
- You will need to have good mental and physical health to meet the needs of youth who require understanding and security.
- You must enjoy providing guidance and be self-aware.
- You will need to have awareness of adolescent development, mental health, substance use, and trauma.
- You will need to be able to actively listen as well as set clear boundaries.
- You will need to have experience working as part of a team.
- You will need to be able to build and/or follow routine to promote stability as well as recognize when flexibility is needed.
What kinds of support do Host Families receive?
- You will receive regular 1-on-1 support available Monday-Friday, 9-5.
- You will receive 24-hour emergency support.
- You will receive quarterly training in the areas of teen development, substance use, trauma-informed care, communication strategies and more.
- You will receive a monthly retainer, in addition to per diem rates when youth are placed in their home.
- The youth staying with you will have access to a respite bed in the Threshold program.
- You will receive a retainer of $2,000 per month and a per diem of up to $1,500 per month.
To learn more or to apply, please contact our Supportive Recovery Program Manager Hollis Thorau at Hollis.h@thresholdhousing.ca
