Mental Health, Court Support Worker

COTA Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 41,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Cota is seeking a Court Support Worker to provide court and community-based services to individuals with mental health needs who are in conflict with the law. The role focuses on a defined court diversion process and linking clients to needed services with short-term follow-up.

The worker delivers recovery-oriented, client-centered support consistent with Cota’s mission and values, in a team setting with shared responsibilities across the Mental Health Court Support Program.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: a combination of post secondary degree/diploma and 4 years direct experience OR BSW/MSW/other regulated health care professional designation and minimum 1 year direct experience.

Responsibilities

• Review referral information for applicants.
• Coordinate and participate in screening interviews.
• Determine eligibility and confirm acceptance into the program.
• Develop collaborative, supportive, and therapeutic relationships with service users.
• Complete comprehensive assessments of goals and needs through engagement with service users and their networks.
• Provide guidance to develop safety and recovery/goal plans.
• Offer direct practical support, coaching, and counsel to service users in pursuing identified goals.
• Assist with securing shelter, food, income, ID, and clothing.
• Help build healthy support networks and access primary health and psychiatric care.
• Develop harm reduction strategies and personal self-management plans.
• Assist with safe/affordable housing access and coordination of other supports.
• Coordinate information flow with Crown Attorney, Duty Counsel, and court personnel.

Job description

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time Position

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Existing Vacancy

Compensation: $29.40/hour-$34.11/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Role Overview

The Court Support Worker provides court and community-based services to eligible individuals, who are living with a mental health condition and in conflict with the law. The role is focused on supporting eligible people through a defined court diversion process, linking them to services that they may need and providing short-term follow-up supports. The Court Support Worker also offers consultative services to other personnel within the court setting.

The Court Support Worker is responsible for providing recovery oriented/client centred services to Cota service users in a manner consistent with Cota’s Mission, Vision and Values.

About the Team

Mental Health Court Support Program is comprised of four Court Support Workers and one Peer Support Specialist.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the program
• Coordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sources
• Determining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of applicant into the program
• Developing a collaborative, supportive and therapeutic relationship with each designated service user for whom he/she is assigned primary responsibility
• Completing a comprehensive assessment of the nature of each service user unique goals and needs through collaborative engagement with each service user and their respective support networks
• Providing guidance and assistance to each service user in relation to the development of both a personalized service user safety plan and a recovery/goal plan
• To provide direct practical support, coaching and counsel to service user in their pursuit of identified goals and needs. Some examples of these supports include:
• Assistance in acquiring shelter, food, income, ID and clothing
• Assistance in developing a healthy support network
• Assistance in accessing primary health
• Assistance in accessing psychiatric care
• Developing harm reduction strategies in relation to substance use
• Assistance in developing personal self-management strategies
• Assistance in accessing/securing safe/affordable housing
• Researching and/or identifying options for alternate/supplementary community services and supports as required/requested
• Assisting each service user in accessing and coordinating other supports, services and appointments
• Facilitates information flow to and linkages with Crown Attorney, Duty Counsel, and other court personnel.
• Liaising with each service user support network members as appropriate and where client consent has been obtained
• Assisting service users with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate
• Coordinates the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• a) A combination of a post secondary degree/diploma in a related field and 4 years direct experience, assessed as being relevant to the specific target population being served
  Or,
  b) A combination of BSW, MSW or other regulated health care professional designation and a minimum of 1 year direct experience, assessed a being relevant to the specific target population being served

Knowledge and Skills:

• Specific clinical knowledge relevant to the target population being served and/or unique role, as demonstrated through specialized training, or, previous work experience
• Excellent clinical assessment/support skills relating to the specific target population
• Advanced understanding of the values and principles associated with recovery oriented service delivery
• Sound knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information
• Advanced crisis management and dispute resolution skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written)
• High level of computer literacy in relation to systems/applications used in the role (Word, E-mail, Internet)
• Good judgment and ability to work independently as well as cooperatively with others
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Consistent/ reliable and flexible
• Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
• Demonstrated client-centred and customer focused approach
• Ability to problem solve and make recommendations to resolve issues
• Effective team player
• Sensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictions

Judgment:

• Ability to identify client risk factors and coordinate appropriate follow-up.
• Respectful and aware of service user - worker boundaries.
• Awareness of safety issues with service users.

Other:

• Also include rotation between the OCJT (Ontario Court of Justice) 10 Armoury St and the TRBC (Toronto Regional Bail Court) 2201 Finch Ave West.

We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

Upon successful completion of a three-month period of employment, permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:

• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Dental care

Permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities.