Case Manager, Connections Centre

Canadian Mental Health Association, Huron Perth, Addiction and Mental Health Services (“CMHA HP AMHS”) offers community-based addiction and mental health support in both Huron and Perth Counties. CMHA HP AMHS provides assessment, referral, counselling and peer support to anyone impacted by their own, or someone else's, substance use or gambling/gaming or other behavioural excesses and/or mental health concerns.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Case Manager, Connection Centre will support individuals experiencing persistent and chronic homelessness, with a focus on supporting them to achieve housing stability. The Case Manager, Connection Centre will work within the “Housing First” framework, supporting participants in a manner that engenders a safe and welcoming environment for all those who are homeless and/or are at risk of homelessness and who are accessing the Connection Centre.

The Case Manager, Connections Centre is a social worker, or equivalent, who provides intensive case management support to individuals and families facing severe struggles relating to homelessness, including mental health challenges, physical health impairment, legal and justice issues, historic discrimination and trauma, victimization, addictions, and stigma. The Case Manager, Connection Centre will be responsible for ensuring that participants with complex needs are receiving the supports necessary to help them meet basic needs, reintegrate into the community, access resources to achieve housing stability, and reach their personal goals. The incumbent will perform other duties as required, which may include, but are not limited to, data entry, report generation and community education. As well, the incumbent will be required to work flexible working hours as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.

Degree or diploma in health or social services; registration with a professional college preferred.

Minimum of three years’ work experience in a social service field.

Knowledge of Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT) and other standardized assessments is an asset.

Strong and demonstrated understanding of the issues and challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness, including mental illness, addictions, legal and justice issues, victimization, and abuse.

Knowledge of community resources and services available in Wingham and surrounding areas.

Ability to work independently and within a multi-disciplinary team.

Able and willing to promote harm reduction practices and anti-oppression practice.

Excellent interpersonal, communication and counselling skills.

Strong ability to assess, advocate and problem solve in conflict and/or crisis situations.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Excellent analytical, organizational and time management skills.

Demonstrated computer literacy.

CPR and First Aid Certified

Crisis prevention training is an asset.

Vulnerable Sector Screening – police check.

Valid Driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and automobile endorsement insurance. Ability to travel throughout Perth and Huron counties.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:

General

Advocate on behalf of participants with other service providers, maintaining collaborative working relationships.

Protect the confidentiality of participants, while ensuring that participant information is only released or obtained with participant consent.

Engage in community awareness, education, and outreach as designated and appropriate, representing the agency in a professional manner.

Participate on internal agency committees and/or outside community committees as appropriate.

Adhere to policies and protocols as outlined in the Human Resource and Procedure Manual.

Attend and actively participate in any team and staff meetings, the Annual General Meeting and periodically scheduled strategic planning and team building events

Assist with the orientation and training of new agency staff, volunteers, and interns/students as designated and need.

Provide coverage of CMHA services for other team members as needed.

Participate in training to further develop skills required to perform the duties of the position.

Participate in ongoing evaluation of service delivery and personal performance.

Actively participate in the supervisory process with immediate supervisor.

Support and actively participate in the constant evolution and growth of the agency.

Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Case Management

Connection Centre Services:

Provide a welcoming, safe, and trusting environment for participants

Engage hard-to-engage participants and develop relationships of trust

Protect and promote the welfare, dignity, and individual rights of participants at all times, understanding trauma and violence and the impact these have on participants’ lives and behaviours

Provide triage, initial mental health and/or addiction screening using validated tools (e.g. VI-SPDAT), and other required intake paperwork, coordinate and facilitate with participant linkages to recommended services and supports in the community

Provide basic needs, as required, following the Centre’s procedures

Provide information regarding resources found within both the broader mental health and addiction system and the community in general

Provide health teaching and information regarding a variety of coping techniques and strategies, e.g. grounding, breathing techniques, self-care, nutrition, sleep hygiene, techniques to enhance overall well-being, the completion of crisis plans

Provide crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and use negotiation skills, as necessary

Engage Emergency Services when it is determined that additional intervention is required

When appropriate, act as liaison with caregivers and/or support providers who are involved with the participant to facilitate a coordinated approach to service provision

Provide follow-up with participants as determined to be necessary and/or appropriate

Other duties, as required

Housing Support Services:

Champion participant’s individual capacity for independent, community living

Communicate the participant’s goals and plans to other team members in order to ensure seamless support for the participant.

Advocate, connect, and refer participants with appropriate housing services, supports, and resources (formal and informal), based on their needs

Motivate and support participant to achieve their needs / goals and work towards goals based on their strengths, abilities, needs and preferences

Create or update Crisis Plan

Support individuals with physical and mental health concerns, and liaise with CMHA staff

Assist participants to successfully remain in their housing, providing prevention and diversion strategies to avoid homelessness

Administrative

Maintain complete and accurate records of participant contact.

Report statistics about activities using designated agency format as required.

Complete monthly, annual, and other reported documentation as required in a punctual and comprehensive manner. 

Maintain administrative and clinical records, including participant files and data entry to EMHware, as per Policy and Procedure Manual.