Mental Health Case Manager

**About REST**

REST Centres is a Black-led, BIPOC-serving charitable organization headquartered in Brampton, Ontario and established in 2015. Our central mission is to eradicate youth homelessness and uplift marginalized BIPOC youth from cycles of poverty and food and housing insecurity. We operate under a comprehensive four-pillar approach: Shelter, Living, Healing, and Growing.

**Role and Responsibilities**:
As the Mental Health Case Manager at the Bridge of Hope Program, you play a pivotal role in our mission to prevent youth homelessness and provide vital support to at-risk youth. Your responsibilities include:
**Mental Health Support**:

- Offer comprehensive mental health support to program participants, particularly youth aged 16-24, addressing their unique mental health challenges and promoting overall well-being.

**Housing Support**:

- Manage a caseload of youth experiencing homelessness, providing holistic support services to help them develop life skills and secure permanent, safe, and suitable housing. Collaborate with the Housing Coordinator and other REST Case Management Team members.
- Utilize a trauma-informed approach to create holistic care plans with youth based on their individual needs.
- Conduct regular follow-ups with youth to ensure the implementation of case management plans and goals, using assertive engagement when necessary.

**Individualized Care**:

- Perform thorough assessments to identify mental health concerns.
- Develop individualized care plans and implement evidence-based interventions to support participants on their mental health and independence journey.

**Crisis Intervention**:

- Be prepared to respond to and manage mental health crises effectively, ensuring the safety and well-being of program participants.
- Collaborate with internal mental health workers, emergency services, and relevant agencies as needed.

**Advocacy**:

- Advocate for program participants' mental health needs within the organization and when interacting with external partners.
- Liaise with mental health service providers and community resources.

**Client Engagement**:

- Build strong, trust-based relationships with assigned youth, offering empathetic and client-centered support to help them navigate housing and mental health challenges.

**Case Coordination**:

- Collaborate closely with other members of the Bridge of Hope team, including housing coordinators and Bridge Builders, ensuring a holistic and coordinated approach to participant support.

**Resource Referral**:

- Connect program participants to appropriate resources, including therapy, counseling, psychiatric services, and support groups, while monitoring their progress.

**Progress Tracking**:

- Regularly assess and document the progress of youth.
- Adjust care plans as needed to facilitate successful housing, mental health, and independence outcomes.

**Education and Empowerment**:

- Provide psychoeducation to program participants, equipping them with essential coping skills, self-care strategies, and resources for managing their mental health independently.

**Cultural Competence**:

- Demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of program participants.

**Outreach and Marketing**:

- Conduct and support marketing, outreach, and promotion of REST programs to community stakeholders.
- Other duties as required.

**Knowledge, Skills, and Qualifications**:

- Bachelor's degree in Social Work from an accredited institution.
- Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service.
- Demonstrated knowledge of assessment, management, and treatment of youth who have experienced trauma, including crisis management, individual goal setting, and group work.
- Demonstrated understanding of the Housing First philosophy, with experience supporting individuals in obtaining and maintaining housing.
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, evidence-based therapeutic approaches, and culturally responsive practices.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with clients and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, and with external stakeholders.
- A valid Ontario Driver’s License.
- WHMIS training is an asset.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification.
- Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Check.
- Must be flexible to work at Brampton and/or Mississauga location.

**Working Conditions**:

- Hybrid work with flexibility to adjust as needed.
- Mondays - Fridays with flexibility to work longer days and weekends as required.

**Salary**: $53,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

- Brampton, ON L6V 1B2 (required)

Ability to Relocate:

- Brampton, ON L6V 1B2: Relocate before starting work