Social Worker- AMANI Mental Health

Job Summary

Upstream Ottawa Mental Health Community Support is expanding the services available to African Canadian & Caribbean Youth through its partnership with the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health- CAMH and its AMANI Mental Health & Substance Use Program. AMANI provides culturally responsive services and care to youth (between ages 12 and 29) from Black communities. The AMANI model is rooted in holistic, healing, Africentric 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 AMANI model recognizes that mental health, and health services more generally, have historically and presently, harmed Black and Indigenous peoples. We recognize that access to these systems; even though these services will be Black-led, still exist within systems that perpetuate anti-black racism, colonialism, and patriarchy. We recognize that access to these systems can be unsafe, and much of the work is to provide culturally safe, strength-based, resourceful, healing centered, and low AMANI care.

The AMANI Social Worker works largely with Black youth/clients and their carer givers, as appropriate, who are dealing with mental illness and/or co-morbid addiction and, as necessary, provide consultation and referrals to other providers serving this population. The Social Worker will deliver care within the AMANI model that recognizes the lived experience of Black youth who have faced anti-Black racism and oppression as it relates to the many aspects of their lives. `

Core Duties

• Provide psychosocial assessments by gaining an understanding of health risks based on the Social Determinants of Health framework (e.g. socio-economic position, housing, educational, employment financial and legal needs)
• Ensure comprehensive treatment for clients by providing information, counseling/therapy and when necessary, referring them to other community health centre professionals and/or act as a client advocate
• Provide crisis intervention and/or specialized treatment to complex cases
• Develop and deliver programs and organize groups for identified priority populations
• Ensure appropriate treatment is delivered by maintaining client records and assessment notes and correspondence within the safeguard of confidentiality
• Engage with clients in order to develop a trusting, supportive and sustained long-term relationship
• Utilize a strengths based approach, provide support, encouragement, information and feedback that enable clients and family members to realize their goals
• Use an anti-oppressive and Africentric practice
• Link clients and family members to supports and services that will promote their well-being, enhance their ability to meet their mental health needs and aid in the exhibition of adaptive behaviours that address problematic substance use
• In collaboration with the AMANI Case Manager, develop working relationships and rapport with community service providers in providing culturally adaptive language and services which take into account the experiences of the African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) community around racial trauma, racial gas-lighting and the adverse impact of oppressive systems
• Assist clients (and their families) in identifying and advocating for their civil and legal rights
• Act as resource person to Upstream Ottawa staff by compiling information on community resources and facilitating access to those resources by liaising with community groups, and other health/social service agencies

Administration

• Maintain an up to date knowledge of community resources, internal policies and procedures, agency protocols and share relevant information with other staff
• Participate in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary teams
• Develop, implement and update supervisor re: case management workplans and action plans
• Manage program and participant information and records and maintain accurate engagement and outreach statistics, records and reports; ensure weekly data collection and recording of all encounters, either electronically or manually as directed and in keeping with agency protocol
• Develop and maintain a flexible work schedule that accommodates the needs of the clients in the communities where they are located
• Carry out other duties as may be assigned from time to time

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree with 3 years experience, or Masters Degree in Social Work or Counseling/Therapy discipline from a recognized university
• MUST demonstrate membership in good standing with either the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
• Proven skills in psychosocial assessment, counseling/therapy, crisis intervention, case management and referrals
• Demonstrated skill and experience in working with ACB youth
• Demonstrated lived experience with and commitment to anti-Black racism and Africentric values and principles
• Knowledge of community resources for African Canadian and Caribbean youth and their families and experience with substance abuse treatment modalities is essential
• A deep fundamental and comprehensive knowledge of the unique challenges faced by African Canadian and Caribbean youth and their families across the social determinants of health
• Possess a natural ability to work with Black youth in developing and broadening their sense of cultural identity and sense of belongingness and connectedness to their community
• Through knowledge and understanding of health, social service and community development agencies and ability to form organic partnerships with key personnel to support outcomes
• Proficiency in performing assessments, counseling/therapy and psychosocial counselling with individuals and groups
• Demonstrable skills and experience in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse and/or mental health treatment inclusive of individual and group counselling
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Proficiency and experience working in a computerized environment, including data input and record keeping

• Upstream Ottawa is building its Bilingual (French/English) capacity and French language proficiency is a significant asset

• This is a Full-Time permanent position

• Benefits are available after 90 days
• Pension is available after completion of the 1 year probationary period.

Compensation breakdown:

Base compensation in year 1 - $61,000 + $6600 in vehicle/client allowance = $67,660

Base compensation in year 2 - $61,860 + $6600 in vehicle/client allowance = $68,460

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: From $68,660.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person