24-HR Services MH&A Case Manager

What You Will Do:
Harm Reduction:

Implement harm reduction, client-centered recovery philosophy and community service delivery.
Conduct community outreach and advocacy to have more partnerships for connecting clients to resources
Foster engagement with harm reduction programs including workshops and social activities
Harm reduction kit ordering, making, storage and distribution.
Ensure safe disposal of used harm reduction equipment in accordance with established protocols.
Provide overdose prevention education and support.
Engage clients with monthly programs and document meeting minutes
Work with the Harm Reduction Committee, clients and peers to explore, support, and create opportunities for harm reduction programming and services.

Mental Health & Addictions:

Ensure the overall mental health, well-being of clients.
Liaise clients with community resources connected to the provision of mental health and addiction services.
Assist clients with symptom management through the knowledge of mental illness, and addictions on a one-on-one basis
Implement trauma informed practices by ensuring the physical safety of clients and awareness of potential triggers to avoid re-traumatization.
Collaborate with the creation of a predictable environment that allows clients to rebuild a sense of efficacy and personal control.
Use a strengths-based approach, focused on skills building to further develop resiliency.
Follow up with clientele on the list every week, and if need be, on a regular basis based on priority and urgency of care.

Service Plan Monitoring and Organization:

Review and adjust goals from the perspective of both the member and worker, as well as member satisfaction with service and achievements.
Record client notes, intake forms, and discharge plans in accordance with Toronto Shelter Standards and FVC’s policies and procedures.
Report in writing: all accidents, injuries, and occurrences and other reports as requested
Collect data, including clients’ demographics, service statistics, and goal achievement, as well as other systems that may be developed.
Provide appropriate referrals, information and advocacy to other support services to assist clients to meet the goals outlined in their case plans.

Program and Services:

Provide staff back-up for any agency programs and daily routine activities as needed.
Work in cooperation with other staff clients in the provision of efficient and coordinated services.
Process client intakes, transfers and support clients with daily needs.
Responsible for resolving client’s complaints when appropriate, including timely follow up
Lead and support external agency staff while they are onsite delivering support services to clients.
Ability to participate side by side with individuals to accomplish tasks and develop meaningful activities
Conduct crisis interventions, de-escalate potentially violent situations, practice conflict resolution and able to conduct group facilitation.
Communicate and demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with clients, staff, and community partners and abide by all the Fred Victor Centre’s policies and procedures.
Work in accordance with the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Participate in regular meetings and evaluations with Program Manager/Senior Manager.
Observe work related requirements such as punctuality, attending staff meetings, meeting deadlines and working with or without direct support.
Other duties as required.

What You Bring to the Team:
Educational background in social services with a mental health and harm reduction focus, including continuing education aimed at deepening practice in working with vulnerable individuals.
Minimum 3-year experience working with people living with serious mental health/substance use issues, as well as people who have experienced violence and social isolation.
Knowledge and prior work experience in the supportive housing and homelessness sector and empathetic understanding of the issues facing marginalized women living with impacts of poverty, social isolation, mental illness, abuse, trauma and/or substance abuse/misuse issues.
Knowledge of substance use and addictions, specifically injection drug use, through a combination of lived experience, work experience, and/or education/training.
Knowledgeable in harm reduction principles as well as proven experience with overdose prevention, response and training in/experience with Naloxone administration.
Experience in providing life skills coaching with commitment to mental health recovery principles.
Lived experience of mental health challenges, homelessness, and/or the effects of poverty is an asset.
Able to build partnerships and alliances with other community organizations, health centers, etc
Knowledge of community-based resources and services, and experience of supporting individuals to navigate the service system across multiple sectors such as housing, legal, income support, health and settlement.
Awareness of and sensitivity to the health issues of a diverse community and experience working with disenfranchised populations.
Commitment to community development practices, including understanding that people living on a low income are a resource and have an important role in finding solutions to social challenges.
An understanding of systems that cause and support homelessness, poverty and discrimination.
Understanding of strategies that promote asset development and self-empowerment.
Ability to develop effective and productive relationships with program participants, co-workers and external agencies including defining roles and implementing multi-disciplinary team practices.
Possess strong skills in crisis intervention and conflict resolution, able to utilize sound problem solving and decision-making skills under pressure and create and implement creative solutions.
Must be available for shift work.
Experienced with data management, recordkeeping and computer literacy.
Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
Administrative and organizational skills include literacy in Word, Excel, Outlook, Windows, and SMIS.