Social Worker Sapaccy

**Social Worker, SAPACCY**

Roots Community Services Inc. (RootsCS) provides culturally relevant programs and services to empower and inspire individuals, primarily from the Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) communities, to make positive changes in their lives and within their communities. We aim to assist our clients by providing pathways to achieve their full potential, finding solutions to improve their health, wellbeing, and quality of life, and healing from the trauma that inhibits their lives.

**The Position**

RootsCS seeks a Social Worker for the Substance Abuse Program for African Canadian & Caribbean Youth (SAPACCY), a partnership with the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH). This program provides culturally responsive services and care to youth (between ages 12 and 29) from the Black communities.

The SAPACCY model is rooted in holistic, healing-centered, Afrocentric and culturally responsive care. Offering a range of prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented services to assist youth and their families/caregivers in reducing harm, moving toward recovery, and making healthy choices for themselves and their families. The program focuses on the full spectrum of social determinants of health and is grounded in shared community values. The service also recognizes Black youth's resiliency, strength, cultural diversity, and intersectional experiences. It is tailored to respond to their lived experiences of anti-Black racism and systemic oppression.

**Term of Contract**:Full-Time Contract possibility of renewal based on funding

**Hours of work**:35 hours a week

**Compensation**:$67,000 to $72,000 annually

**Reports to**: Manager, Mental Health & Wellbeing Team

**Major Duties & Responsibilities**:
The major responsibilities for this position include but are not limited to the following:

- Deliver care within the SAPACCY model that recognizes the lived experience of Black youth who have faced anti-Black racism and oppression relating to many aspects of their lives
- Provide support/intervention to the Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) youth and their families who are dealing with mental illness and addiction
- Provide clinical interventions, including outreach, assessment, and case management both in individual and group setting
- Utilize a strengths-based approach to provide support, encouragement, information and feedback that enable clients and family members to realize their goals
- Support the client's family and service network while maintaining a client-directed philosophy and practice
- Provide culturally responsive counselling and information to reduce the incidence, duration and intensity of crisis
- Provide consultation and referrals to other providers as appropriate
- Assist clients and families in identifying and advocating for their civil and legal rights
- Collect and safely use data relevant to program evaluation and quality improvement
- Support program development and clinical evaluation and be an active participant in continuous quality improvement and research activities
- Maintain accurate client information as per organizational standards and practice
- Endeavour to provide flexible and timely services in the client's environment of choice using an anti-oppressive and Afrocentric approach
- Link clients and family members to supports and services that will promote their wellbeing, enhance their ability to meet their mental health needs and aid in the development of adaptive behaviours that address problematic substance use
- In coordination with the SAPACCY Case Manager, develop working relationships with community service providers offering culturally adaptive services which take into account the experiences of BAC communities around racial trauma, racial gaslighting
- Conduct other duties as assigned.

**Skills & Qualifications**:

- A minimum Master's Degree in Social Work, Counselling Psychology, Psychology or a related discipline
- Proof of registration and a member in good standing in a professional college (e.g., College of Psychotherapists, Social Workers, Counseling)
- Proven skills in psychosocial assessment, counselling/therapy, crisis intervention and case management
- Demonstrated skills and experience in the assessment, intervention and treatment of substance abuse and mental health treatment in both individual and group settings
- Strong understanding of specialized needs of Black, African and Caribbean youth
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to the lived experiences and diverse needs, identities and backgrounds of African Canadian and Caribbean Youth
- Knowledge of the Black, African and Caribbean communities, including an understanding of cultural and local programs and services to which to refer clients
- Superior interpersonal verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities
- Strong computer skills in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 and an aptitude to work