Rachana R. Dighe
Kitchener
Summary
Collaborative, compassionate and impact-driven social service professional with a decade of experience in non-profits, government, and community-based organizations across India and Canada. Proficient in assessing individual needs, identifying resources, and strategically developing tailored action plans to provide effective support. Passionate about fostering inclusive, client-centered initiatives through collaboration with service providers, policymakers, and local organizations to empower communities. Committed to upholding anti-oppressive equity practices to foster the well-being of diverse communities with awareness and sensitivity.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Housing Stability Worker
Starling Community Services (Formerly Lutherwood)
05.2023 - Current
- Providing supports and services of PATHS2Home program to high acuity individuals with complex mental health, addiction, and physical health issues gain housing stability with a Housing First approach to address chronic homelessness within the Region of Waterloo.
- Providing intensive home-based support to individuals and assisting them in developing and executing strategies to promote housing stability under a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens.
- Working collaboratively with various community partners to ensure coordinated approach to service and empower individuals towards living with greater self-determination
- Providing support to achieve sustainable housing stability by fostering creative-problem solving, positive landlord and community engagement, and resource mobilization.
- Utilizing different assessment tools like SPDAT, Crisis plans etc. to develop effective service delivery including timely documentation in line with agency policy and procedures.
- Working with ethical decision-making and approach that cohesively represents agency's vision and values at all times.
Connections Team- Reception
Compass Community Services
11.2022 - 04.2023
- Assisted staff by ensuring smooth client flow, maximizing efficiency, and enhancing team productivity through multitasking and managing administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments and follow-ups.
- Completing billing and required documentation as part of maintaining client files on CaseWORKS software as per agency policies for records management.
- Maintained client records in accordance with agency protocols and confidentiality guidelines.
Sheridan Practicum Student Intern
Compass Community Services
09.2022 - 04.2023
- Operating on the telephone support programs including the teleconnect line, LGBTQ+ support line, and distress line to provide supportive counseling through assessment, resource referrals, crisis and suicide intervention, and safety planning.
- Took initiative to implement and empower culturally competent communication support to effectively cater to the needs of diverse communities accessing the service and create an inclusive environment within the program.
- Working from a BPSS approach to identify clients at risk of violence, suicide, physical harm, homicide, and crisis to plan for adequate community-based supports
- Assessing assigned cases for at-risk clients and developing an appropriate person-centered plan of intervention/ or recommendations for referral as indicated.
- Training volunteers on the telephone support lines through collaborative leadership approach.
- Additionally providing operational support to the mental health services team to facilitate weekly walk-in counseling services.
Program Facilitator
Shelldale Family Gateway
12.2018 - 07.2021
- Provided direct client support acting as the first point of contact for the EarlyON program participant children and families
- Facilitated dialogue between participants, family, and program workers to establish strong support network and community engagement.
- Collaborated and build relationships with various community service providers through referrals, and organizing guest speaker series within programs
- Took initiative to provide creative technology solutions and support to the EarlyON team to transition from in-person to remote service delivery during COVID-19 pandemic.
Programme Officer
Knowledge Consortium Of Gujarat
08.2015 - 07.2016
- Created and implemented program frameworks, performance standards and quality assurance requirements for the Education Department of the Provincial Government.
- Supervised and provided leadership to the team in planning, organizing, budgeting, and executing ongoing research methodology workshops in various disciplines for the faculty of Colleges, Universities and Research Scholars.
- Co-lead a team to prepare “KCG Handbook” containing exhaustive data of all Higher Educational Institutions of Gujarat province, a data collection of more than 600 pages encapsulated within a short period of 4 months.
- Drafted official documents to higher authorities at both Provincial and Federal level
- Performed duties as Liaison Officer to State and Central Government employees
- Worked actively on drafting New Education Policy on the guidelines of Ministry of Human Resource Development for Gujarat Education Department.
Education
Diploma - Social Service Worker
Sheridan College
Oakville, ON2023
Master of Science - Physics
Gujarat University
Ahmedabad, India 2014
Skills
- Collaboration and Partnership Building
- Counseling & Advocacy
- Assessment & Crisis Intervention
- Case Management
- Efficiency Maximization
- Communication
- Multilingual - English, Gujarati & Hindi
- Digital Proficiency
- Articulation
- Cross-cultural Communication
Training and Certifications
Equity Training I & II by Nick Brown, June 2023 and January 2025
First Aid Training, March 2024
Hearing Voices that are Distressing: Simulated Voices Workshop, September 2023
Naloxone training, July 2024
ASSIST Suicide Intervention training, November 2022
CPI Non-violent Crisis Intervention training, November 2022
Radical Self-care Training, December 2020
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Coordinator
Onward Willow Homework Club- Guelph, ON Sept.2018 - Dec.2019
Merchandise Coordinator and Sales Manager
THe Guelph Jazz Festival- Guelph, ON Sept. 2018
Timeline
Housing Stability Worker
Starling Community Services (Formerly Lutherwood)
05.2023 - Current
Connections Team- Reception
Compass Community Services
11.2022 - 04.2023
Sheridan Practicum Student Intern
Compass Community Services
09.2022 - 04.2023
Program Facilitator
Shelldale Family Gateway
12.2018 - 07.2021
Programme Officer
Knowledge Consortium Of Gujarat
08.2015 - 07.2016
Diploma - Social Service Worker
Sheridan College
Master of Science - Physics
Gujarat University
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