Mental Health/ Addictions Case Worker, Veterans

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Program and Case Management, the Mental Health/ Addictions Case Worker enhances the dignity and quality of life of Good Shepherd Ministries’ clients who served in the Canadian or Allied Forces. The Mental Health/ Addictions Case Worker will contribute to promoting and improving veteran clients’ long-term housing stability by providing trauma-informed and client-centred care plans for those who are at risk of complex challenges, mental health illness, addictions, trauma-related issues, chronic pain, and disability.
- **This is a full-time onsite position.**_

**Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to**:

- Conduct intake and assessment to establish clients' needs and to verify Veteran’s service status in the Canadian Armed Forces, to develop individualized service plans, such as housing, securing income, aftercare support, recovery, etc.
- Collaborate with community partners such as Good Shepherd Non-profit Homes, Mainstay Housing, RCL, and other Partners to secure safe and affordable housing and help Veterans maintain their housing.
- Develop and provide a comprehensive aftercare service and implement a wrap-around support to help housed veterans continue their recovery and maintain their housing.
- Provide outreach services to Veterans with complex needs, concurrent disorders, mental health, and trauma, which include providing information on drug/alcohol recovery, referrals to appropriate services, crisis intervention, and eviction prevention.
- Monitor and support clients’ progress through regular follow-up, home visit, crisis intervention and the development of personalized plans.
- Create and facilitate support and educational groups on issues that are relevant to veterans.
- Reach out and provide education to other agencies serving homeless and at-risk populations to increase awareness of services to homeless and at-risk veterans.
- Proactively seek and implement creative and appropriate program initiatives for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life of homeless and housed Veterans.
- Assist clients in considering options for leisure and social time, empowering them in building supportive networks to enhance independent living and recovery from mental illness/addictions.
- Liaise or advocate with internal and external support systems to provide complementary services to clients.
- Maintain appropriate and professional case documentation and to prepare daily, weekly and monthly reports as directed.
- Perform any other job-related tasks that may be assigned by the Senior Manager, Program and Case Management, the Executive Director, or a designate from time to time.

**Skill, Nature and Scope**:

- An ability to appreciate the complexity and demands of ‘hard to serve’ individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or social services and/or certification as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor through the Addiction Intervention Association.
- At least three (3) years minimum experience in counselling and aftercare work, including seasoned case management, preferably in the field of mental health and/or addiction, and/or working knowledge of the following treatment modalities: cognitive therapy, psychotherapy, harm reduction, and the 12-steps.
- Experience in working with Veterans is an asset.
- A solid experience in individual and group work for individuals in Aftercare.
- Awareness of the mental health and addiction-related community, public health and educational resources.
- A thorough understanding of homelessness, poverty, health, mental health, and addictions, especially in veterans, and related issues is required.
- Solid experience conducting assessments, case management, crisis intervention, and case coordination.
- Excellent group facilitation skills
- Demonstrated experience in motivational counselling skills.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize work overload is essential.
- Effective written communication skills to produce memoranda, correspondence, presentation slides, and progress reports.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to maintain teamwork with the ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong organizational and administrative skills to a high standard of professionalism.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs.

Pay: $29.03-$29.75 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

**Benefits**:

- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends as needed

**Experience**:

- counselling and seasoned case management: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person