POSITION SUMMARY
The Youth Mental Health Court Worker and Intersections Program Worker is a dual role position. The successful candidate will manage both programs constituting one full-time position.
· Provide programs and services to address the issues and supports of young persons, 12 to 17 years of age with mental health and/or behavioural needs who are in the youth justice system in partnership with the court.
· Facilitate the diversion of youth with mental health needs away from the courts and develop linkages with appropriate programming/supports in the community.
· Establish a partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and community-based child and youth mental health service providers to enhance opportunities to divert youth with mental health needs from the formal justice and acute care systems.
· Reduce barriers to youth accessing necessary mental health and ancillary services.
· The YMHCW conducts intake, assessments, and case management; advocates for clients; develops community awareness and support; consults and shares information with community partners; and prepares and presents related reports.
· She/he provides client services in both official languages.
· Intersections is a voluntary, early intervention program that helps children and youth between the ages of 8 and 18 years who have encountered police. They are referred by police services to access appropriate mental health, developmental and addiction services to improve their well-being and reduce their risk of formal justice system involvement.
· The Intersections Program Worker is responsible for screening and assessment of these children and youth and integrating them into existing services using a child and family-centered, strength-based and goal-oriented approach.
· The Intersections Program Worker maintains supportive relationships with the child/youth as well as their family/guardian to connect with and navigate services with them.
· She/he provides client services in both official languages.
ACCOUNTABILITY
This position is under the direction and authority of the Executive Director, and the Assistant Director. The incumbent will meet regularly with the Assistant Director to review goals, set expectations, and evaluate performance.
REQUIREMENTS
· College diploma or higher post-secondary education in Social Work or related field.
· Advanced training in Mental Health and behavioural needs.
· Ability to meet language requirements according to the French Language Services provisions for this service.
· Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with family members, support networks, team members, the community and other mental health service providers.
· Ability to negotiate and communicate effectively within the program as well as with ministry staff, other agencies, and community-based professionals as well as the capacity to represent the YMHCW program in Court.
· Experience working with clients who are struggling with substance use, mental and spiritual wellness, poverty, and homelessness.
· Trained in Positive Parenting Program (Triple P).
· Ability to function independently.
· Broad knowledge of community resources; working knowledge of relevant legislation, agency policies, procedures, and guidelines, particularly the justice and mental health systems.
· Ability to maintain professionalism in the face of adversity or hostile interactions.
· Competence in making and implementing decisions.
· Demonstrated organizational and leadership skills.
· Effective communication skills including the ability to write clear concise reports.
· Working knowledge of MS Office and program management software.
· Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check.
· Valid driver’s licence and own automobile insurance
· Physical ability to perform the work (e.g., ability to work on computer, assist in crisis intervention, CPR, PMAB)
JOB DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to)
· Connect with and engage clients and families.
· Provide information and support to family members and youth with mental health and developmental needs.
· Provide supportive partnerships with clients with serious and persistent mental illness by facilitating individualized goal-oriented treatment plans based on a psycho-social model.
· Develop Individual Plans to address the needs of the youth.
· Prepare Case Management files and document developments including court-related materials when needed.
· Complete detailed case notes summaries with regards to any direct and indirect contact with clients, families, or community partners.
· Facilitate and coordinate service options and psychiatric recommendations, or court-ordered psychiatric assessments.
· Expedite referrals to local community agencies based on client/family needs.
· Facilitate psycho-educational programming with clients (health relationships, anxiety management strategies etc.).
· Arrange for court-ordered psychiatric fitness assessments.
· Provide one-to one counselling as a short-term “bridge” between services.
· Offer support to family members of mentally ill youth.
· Conduct short-term follow-ups with youth.
· Attend court and advocate for children and youths 12-17 years old within the criminal justice sector.
· Establish effective linkages between clients and appropriate mental health, developmental and youth justice resources.
· Speed up access to mental health services and community supports.
· Establish and support community awareness of program.
· Establish rapport and liaise with court officials, probation services, police, community agencies, and concerned others per program objectives and case management developments and strategies.
· Assist in the development of youth diversion and on-site court resources and support for individuals, families, police, and youth justice staff.
· Provide information and support to family members and youth with mental health and developmental needs.
· Assist in the development of youth mental health diversion and on-site court resources and support for individuals, families, police, and youth justice staff.
· Participate in regular meetings with their community mental health workers to share information and identify issues and strategies to improve services.
· Prepare Case Management files and document developments including court-related materials when needed.
· Other related duties may be assigned.
· Receives contacts made by police, and directly contacts the child/youth and /or their families, assessing the child/youth for the Intersections Program.
· Goes through the admission package gathering required information including health and medical information to complete it.
· With the child/youth and their family/guardian and considering the child/youth’s unique strengths and needs, determines which services are most appropriate.
· Identifies the cultural and linguistic preferences and a referral is made to those services, ensuring appropriate system navigation for priority populations such as rural, Francophone, First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
· Signs, files paperwork, shares information as required.
· Completes the referral as per referral protocol with the specified service agency or agencies, based on the needs identified with the young person and their family or guardian.
· Provides support and follow-up during and after the referral to services, advocating for and empowering the child/youth and their family/guardian, and providing liaison support upon request of the family.
· Stays connected during the referral until the file can be closed (until the young person is actively engaged in three consecutive appointments with the new service agency).
· Advises the child/youth and/or their family about the closure of the file and completes discharge planning as required.
· Fosters communication and collaboration between agencies involved in the Integrated Plan of Care Process, including community partners, police officials, and school board personnel.
· Supports the implementation and evaluation of Intersections through the Regional Steering Committee (Intersections Worker, manager, agency implementation leads from community partners and service providers).
· Participates in the Community of Practice (fellow Intersections Workers and managers from other regions) to ensure the successful implementation of Intersections.
· Does program presentations as required to create community awareness and promote the Intersections program.
· She/he participates in ongoing professional development as may be required.
· Completes all case management documentation.
· Ensures completion of youth and parent/guardian experience surveys.
· Completes statistical reporting.
· Prepares internal and external reports as may be required.
· The Intersections Worker may have other related duties assigned.
Laurencrest Youth Services values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process, and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.
Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Megan Laroche, Executive Director of Laurencrest Youth Services Inc. All information received concerning accommodation will be kept confidential and handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
We thank all those who apply. However, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.
PLEASE FORWARD ALL INQUIRIES TO THE FOLLOWING:
Megan Laroche, BA-TR, MBA, MSW, RSW, PGDip CCF
Executive Director
[email protected]
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
Work Location: In person
