Case Manager_FT-Contract

LOFT Community Services • Toronto, ON

10d • Onsite

About The Position

LOFT Community Services is a unique and dynamic charitable organization that supports people living with complex issues such as mental and physical health challenges, substance use challenges, poverty and homelessness. Serving 20,573 annually and providing 1,856 units of supportive housing last year, LOFT is one of Ontario’s largest mental health service providers of its kind. The Case Manager (Outreach Services) position is part of the Social Medicine Team, providing direct service to individuals experiencing homelessness, living with mental health, physical health and substance use and aging related challenges. The position provides outreach expertise, intake and assessment, and a case management approach to a group of individuals deemed to be complex, who are referred by UHN, engaging them in a process of identifying and meeting their housing and other health and social needs. The position provides access to a range of team members with varying expertise, who work cooperatively to assess, plan, treat and support the recovery of individuals. The aim of this partnership is to provide low barrier access to housing for these individuals, while assisting in stabilizing their physical and mental health, substance use, behavioural, psychosocial, and social drivers of health challenges. The Social Medicine team works from a housing first and harm reduction approach. Social Medicine Housing Solution (Social Medicine) is an interdisciplinary team of providers from the University Health Network and LOFT Community Services that provides wrap around services to individuals with concurrent conditions that span physical and mental health challenges and social and economic vulnerability who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their housing. Social Medicine delivers clinical hands-on support to those with complex healthcare needs providing outreach and case management services with access to psychiatric and medical assessment, consultation, and access to treatment, service planning, advocacy, and system navigation support. The goal is to work with individuals in getting connected to housing and follow up support that meets the level of need required for each individual to live successfully in the community.

Requirements

• An excellent understanding of trauma informed recovery, harm reduction, and psychosocial rehabilitation principles as acquired through a relevant degree in human services, coupled with at least three years of experience working with the client population in order to apply the theories to practical settings.
• A degree/diploma in health care/social services or other related field with a minimum of three years relevant experience in the mental health sector
• Knowledge of the issues faced by adults with mental illness, addictions, physical health concerns, and homelessness.
• An understanding is also required of the therapeutic relationship with an ability to negotiate with clients on goals and priorities.
• Knowledge of local community agencies and other professional services available for the client group is essential.
• Experience in working as part of a team of professionals.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, insurance to transport clients and a reliable vehicle in order to travel across the City of Toronto.
• Strong understanding of anti-racism/anti-oppression frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and counselling skills are required to work in a team environment and to engage the clients in some highly personal areas, such as developing healthy living skills, life skills and in maintaining interpersonal relationships.
• Good intake assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy and problem solving skills.
• Computer literacy sufficient to produce and maintain files, records or statistical information.
• Good analytical, time management and organizational skills to contribute to program planning and to co-ordinate and follow-up on issues or activities with clients.
• Good communication skills both oral and written
• A satisfactory vulnerable sector check (VSC) is also required.

Responsibilities

• Complete intake assessments and working from a client centered approach, develop a support and recovery plan which includes identifying priorities and goals, in conjunction with client, other professionals, areas identified through initial intake and OCAN’s
• Promote the personal empowerment of each individual through coaching, mentoring and support, thereby enabling each individual to meet the daily requirements of their living environment; directly assisting with their daily living activities, particularly in the acquisition of life skills in such areas as hygiene, medication management, cooking, cleaning, shopping and budgeting; developing strategies and establishing a plan for maintaining these daily activities
• Establish and co-ordinate a support network of social, family, medical, psychiatric and other community links. Develop a coordinated care plan as appropriate.
• Provide crisis intervention/management and assist in the development of crisis plans with clients
• Promote the services of the program and the image of the agency as a representative with clients, families, other supports, external agencies and others in a professional manner that reflects favourably on the organization
• Mediate issues or conflicts between residents, or residents and neighbours, teaching conflict resolution; following-up on issues to ensure resolution
• Participate in planning, organising, promoting and conducting events for the clients in an effort to address their social needs and prevent isolation; maintain a general awareness of community events and activities to also meet these needs
• Participate in the administration of the program by completing and maintaining the required records, assessments or statistics such as client files in accordance with established procedures
• Participate as a team member in program delivery by providing support and consultation to colleagues, identifying gaps in service and recommending solutions, participating in meetings, planning and evaluation initiatives, committees, events and activities; orienting new staff, students or volunteers; providing other related assistance as required.
• Provide 24 hour crisis support to program on a rotational basis through a pager or similar system
• Assist in the preparing units for occupancy that may include moving furniture.
• Engages effectively with individuals experiencing serious mental health issues and/or addictions, cognitive difficulties, brain injury or primary health care issues
• Conducts outreach or community visits independently or with other team members or to locate and connect with identified clients
• Develops relationships with individuals served by the team and addresses basic and immediate needs
• Engages in crisis intervention/prevention with clients
• Case manages from a psycho-social rehabilitation and recovery model, linking clients with other supports as necessary, including housing, transportation, shelter placement, identification (ID) services and translation services, among others
• Liaises with Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or other financial sources as required.
• Completes housing applications for clients and act as an advocate to place clients in appropriate, affordable housing
• Works from a harm reduction approach with clients dealing with addiction issues
• Advocates on behalf of homeless individuals in accessing a range of services
• Works cooperatively with team members, hospital personnel, other service providers and City staff in order to better meet client’s needs
• Facilitates transfer of care to appropriate internal and external wrap around services that provide clients with follow-up support services or ongoing case management or other appropriate services as identified by the clients care plan
• client-related activities accurately and in a timely fashion on the Client Relationship Management System’s database
• Actively participates in regular supervision, case reviews, team meetings and training sessions
• Submits time sheets, expense claims and other required information in accordance with agency regulations
• Represents the agency at external workshops, inter-agency initiatives, staff training and other community-based activities
• Shares the driving responsibilities with other team members
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Associate Director and/ or Director

Benefits

• E-learning program available all year round
• Starting vacation time above minimum standard
• Additional paid personal and paid sick days
• Professional development budget available to help you nurture and shape your career
• Corporate Gym membership rate with GoodLife Fitness
• Access to Perkopolis, a comprehensive corporate discount program
• Access to unlimited DEI trainings through partnership Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees