Crisis Worker – Engaging with Indigenous Community

Yorktown Family Services provides a comprehensive range of mental health services for children, youth and families who are experiencing serious emotional/social/behavioural difficulties along with several gender-based violence initiatives. Yorktown is committed to ensuring that all programs produce effective and positive outcomes for clients through evaluation, research and the incorporation of evidence-based services and practices whenever possible. We are committed to inclusiveness and diversity at all levels of the organization.
Yorktown is currently seeking a Crisis Worker for the Toronto Community Crisis Services – Northwest.

Primary Function

Yorktown Family Services (YFS) is looking for a Crisis Worker for the newly funded for the Toronto Community Crisis Services – Northwest (TCCS). This service provides 24/7 support to people experiencing a mental health and/or addiction crisis in northwest Toronto. This pilot program is part of a City of Toronto police reform initiative that is evaluating the effectiveness and impact of non-police-led responses to people experiencing non-emergency crises. This program aims to reduce the harms experienced by people who have mental health and addictions challenges as well as Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQ2+ and other marginalized individuals. The TCCS is governed in  partnership with a Collaborative which includes the following organizations:

• Addiction Services Central Ontario
• Black Creek Community Health Centre
• Black Health Alliance
• Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto
• Caribbean African Canadian Social Services
• Jane Finch Centre
• Rexdale Community Health Centre
• Yorktown Family Services

Responsibilities:

• Exercise sound juddgement in crisis situations, employ de-escalating strategies, and the provision of suicide and risk assessments & interventions.
• Conduct client needs and risk assessments to develop and implement a care plan with short and long-term objectives
• Assist in the development of safety plans
• Provide prompt community based mental health crisis assessment, intervention and referrals
• Work collaboratively with hospitals, health service providing agencies and community resources as needed
• Provide immediacy around basic needs and resources
• Carry an aftercare/crisis caseload (4-6) cases until longer term services are in place
• Documentation in both the joint CMHA database and Yorktown client record system
• Ensure a smooth transition to and from the community and to short term crisis services (e.g. safe beds).
• Participate in community outreach and liaison with key stakeholders/partners
• Ensure a culturally responsive crisis intervention program is implemented
• Maintain trusting, respectful and collaborative working relationships with clients and colleagues; service providers and other community supports
• Attend case conferences, team meetings and other related meetings in regards to the program
• Complete mandatory on-boarding training

Qualifications:

• Must have extensive experience working with Indigenous populations and a broad familiarity with Indigenous cultural and community perspectives across Ontario.  Lived experience also  an asset
• Minimum Undergraduate degree/diploma in Social Services or equivalent.
• Must have proven demonstration of understanding the range of issues facing Indigenous people in Ontario
• Minimum 3 years of community mental health experience working with a strong knowledge of crisis assessments and intervention strategies.
• Minimum of G Driver License and ability to drive to attend to emergency calls.
• Current Ontario Drivers Abstract is required
• Strong knowledge of working with individuals with mental health and addiction issues and involvement in the mental health system.
• Excellent skills in assessment, counseling, case management and crisis intervention.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work shift work that includes overnights, weekends and holidays
• Ability to promote holistic and client-centered care with a strong anti-oppressive and anti-racism approach
• Fluency in an Indigenous language is an asset.
• A strong understanding of the Northwest community – barriers, community gaps and strengths, community needs

Reports to: Manager of Client and Community Engagement

Yorktown Family Services is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity. Please submit your resume and cover by December 29, 2023. Please quote “Comp 2023-25RA” and Job title in the subject line.

Yorktown values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to equity and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities.

Yorktown Family Services welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those considered for an interview will be contacted.