Social Worker Black Transitional Aged Youth Mental Health Program

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph's Health Centre and St. Michael's Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. Join our team in our mission to continue to put patients and families at the centre of everything we do, in the role of Social Worker - Black Transitional Aged Youth Mental Health Program.

Unity Health Toronto’s Mental Health and Addiction Service (MHAS) provides care to individuals with serious mental illness, substance use concerns and complex medical needs. The Black TAY Mental Health Program is a priority pathway for black youth to receive timely psychiatric assessment and follow up and counselling by a registered Masters prepared Social Worker.

This position is located in the community at Wanasah: Mental Health Services for Black Youth. Wanasah isa non-profit mental health agency created to address the urgent mental health needs of Black youth and their families in Regent Park and neighbouring areas, in downtown Toronto. Operating in Regent Park, it provides services to Black youth, ages 12-25 and their families who are experiencing mental health and/or addictions concerns. Through partnerships with community agencies and youth ambassadors, it provides Black
- centric mental health and addictions services. All of its programs are developed through a trauma-informed, Black-centric, identity and ethnic-specific lens.

The primary role of the **Social Worker (SW)**is to provide individual 1:1 assessment and treatment planning to support the Black Transitional Aged Youth Program - youth between the ages of 16 and 29. This role is a seconded role at Wanasah, it will involve providing culturally relevant in-depth bio-psychosocial assessments, diagnostic, treatment and evaluation services for individuals at Wanasah. The SW will also provide group and individual sessions of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (“**CBT**”) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (“**DBT**”)
- Provide community based services in accordance with all professional and organizational standards
- Utilize assertive and culturally informed outreach strategies to deliver community services and supports in various locations including schools, community centres and in the client’ home
- Demonstrate an understanding of the social determinants of health, intersectionality and knowledge of how to access and link patients to appropriate community resources and services such as: OW, ODSP, Trillium, Community Housing, CCAC etc.
- Strong understanding of anti-Black racism, systemic oppression, and their impacts on Black youth within health, social systems and clinical practice.
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of recovery model and trauma informed care for the Black community
- Identify and address psychoeducational needs for patients, their families and chosen families
- Demonstrate an understanding of spirituality and/or faith in delivering culturally affirming mental health and addictions interventions for Black youth
- Actively contribute to teaching and learning for students, volunteers and the community
- Work effectively as a member of an inter-professional team and cross organizational program

**QUALIFICATIONS**:- Must have a completed Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited university program- Must be currently registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW)- Two (2) to five (5) years of experience as a Social Worker in a Mental Health setting- Direct experience partnering with and working closely with people belonging to communities that have been systemically marginalized and underserviced by health systems- Proven ability to provide culturally-informed care for Black transitional aged youth- Familiarity with best practices in community engagement and assertive community outreach- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills- Proven flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced environment- Excellent time management, organizational and prioritization skills
- Our goal is to attract and develop talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, allowing us to benefit from a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. We strongly encourage applicants from the_
- Black Indigenous and racialized communities that meet the requirements of the role. We welcome applicants to introduce themselves, their stories and lived experiences in their cover letter to the degree they are comfortable with._
- #LI-MR1