Case Manager

**ABOUT WANASAH**

Wanasah is a new mental health agency created to address the urgent mental health and addictions needs of Black youth and their families through the provision of effective Black-centric mental health services in the community. Wanasah recognizes the need for inclusive, trauma-informed care with meaningful incorporation of spirituality and community voice in its programming. We work within an anti-racist, anti-Black racist and anti-oppression framework that incorporates principles of intersectionality. Wanasah is based in Regent Park, Toronto.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new organization that is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of Black youth in Toronto. The successful individual will work with a small, dedicated team to develop, evaluate and adapt an innovative model of care.

**Position Summary**

Wanasah is seeking a Case Manager to work with Black youth aged 12-25 with mental health and addictions concerns and their families in Regent Park. These youth may be experiencing serious diagnosed/undiagnosed mental illness, problematic substance use, violence, grief/loss, involvement with the criminal justice system and/or a mental health crisis. The Case Manager will report directly to the Executive Director and work closely with other members of the Wanasah team, namely Community Support Worker, Mental Health Counsellor and Spiritual Care Provider, as well as partner agencies in the community. A key focus will be on building trust and engagement with clients and their families. The Case Manager will utilize a Black-centric, person and family centered, spiritually affirming, trauma informed approach.

**Responsibilities Include**:
**Position Summary**

Wanasah is seeking a Case Manager to work with Black youth aged 12-25 with mental health and addictions concerns and their families in Regent Park. These youth may be experiencing serious diagnosed/undiagnosed mental illness, problematic substance use, violence, grief/loss, involvement with the criminal justice system and/or a mental health crisis. Regent Park has a large Black East African community along with other diverse Black populations that make up the clients. The Case Manager will report directly to the Program Manager and work closely with other members of the Wanasah team, namely Community Support Worker, Mental Health Counsellor and Spiritual Care Provider, as well as partner agencies in the community. A key focus will be on building trust and engagement with clients and their families. The Case Manager will utilize a Black-centric, person and family centered, spiritually affirming, trauma informed approach.

**Responsibilities Include**:

- Provide short term, intensive case management to Black youth experiencing mental illness and/or problematic substance use, including assessment, supportive counselling, referrals to community resources, long term planning, and follow up services when needed
- Develop and plan appropriate recovery goals in areas such as crisis prevention, family and community integration, life skills, symptom management and spirituality
- Provide interventions such as advocacy, referral to appropriate community resources, counselling, crisis intervention, and psycho-education to clients and their families
- Support clients whose needs cannot be met in the community to access acute care and/or emergency services
- Provide advocacy and support services during and following hospitalization
- Identify, develop and facilitate mental health outreach activities
- Offer workshops/training sessions on topics such as trauma recovery, bereavement and culturally - specific mental health and addictions care
- Offer and provide support to family and chosen family of clients through psycho-education, crisis prevention, parent counselling, family meetings, etc.
- Ensure the implementation of models of best practice and evidence-based practice
- Participate in quality-of-care activities to initiate positive changes in programs and care
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date client records and documentation
- Participate as a full member of Wanasah’s team
- Comply with Wanasah’s policies and procedures including those relating to privacy and confidentiality
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with family/chosen family, community agencies/partners and other resources in the community
- Perform other duties as assigned

**Requirements**:

- Degree in Social Work from a recognized university or equivalent
- Membership and good standing in a professional college (e.g. OCSWSSW, CNO, etc.)
- Minimum of 1-2 years experience as a case manager in a community mental health and addictions position
- Demonstrated experience supporting individuals with mental health and addictions issues, from a recovery, harm reduction, trauma informed and client and family centered approach.
- Knowledge of issues impacting youth with mental health and addictions concerns, and familiarity with local resour