Case Manager, Youth Mental Health

Access to Resources and Community Supports  (ARCS) for Youth

One (1) Bargaining Unit, Temporary Part-Time Position until January 2027

Existing Vacancy

Hours of Work: Monday-Tuesday 10:00am-3:30pm and Wednesday-Friday 11:30am-5:00pm

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 Case Manger is responsible for providing Recovery Oriented services to COTA Health clients in a manner consistent with COTA Health's Mission, Vision and Values.

About the Team

Cota is currently seeking a temporary, part-time Youth Mental Health Case Manager to support our ARCS for Youth program.

This role will primarily support newcomer youth, youth facing complex challenges, and Black youth who have been identified and referred by Eva's Place. The position is a key part of an innovative initiative funded by the Slaight Family Foundation, in partnership with Cota, Eva's Initiatives, and North York General Hospital.

The initiative provides rapid, short-term, onsite, and community-based mental health, addiction, and case management support to youth experiencing various challenges, including those who may benefit from additional case management services.

The primary goal is to promote the mental health and overall well-being of youth, foster stronger connections to community-based resources, and help reduce unnecessary reliance on hospital emergency departments.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Case Manager's primary duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:

• 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 new service users 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's 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 Client Safety Plan and a Recovery/Goal Plan
• Providing direct practical support, coaching and counsel to service users in their pursuit of identified goals and needs. These supports may include, but not necessarily be limited to:
  • Assistance in acquiring shelter, food, income, ID and clothing
  • Support in the development and maintenance of ADLs
  • Assistance in developing a healthy support network
  • Assistance in accessing primary health
  • Assistance in accessing psychiatric care
  • Assistance in developing personal skills in the areas of budgeting, medication management
  • Developing harm reduction strategies in relation to substance use
  • Assistance in the pursuit of educational/vocational interests
  • 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
• Liaising with each service user's support network members as appropriate and where client consent has been obtained
• Assisting service users with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriate
• Assisting in coordinating and facilitating group activities/events which foster service user engagement/participation, the development of social networks, and skill acquisition
• Coordinating the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelines
• Participating in team meetings, providing input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planning

Documentation and Data entry:

• Documents all service user contacts/interactions in the appropriate service user chart according to COTA Health's documentation guidelines
• Enters data relating to service user interactions into COTA Health's database system according to data collection guidelines
• Assists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or Team

Other Responsibilities:

• Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified "Required Training" areas
• Adheres to all COTA Health's policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practices
• Adheres to all applicable legislation, particularly the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Comply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and service users and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
• Works cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with service users, team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholders
• Ensures that the confidentiality of service users, employees and COTA information is always maintained
• Undertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

Either:

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 as being relevant to the specific target population being served

Knowledge & Skills:

• Excellent 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/Client Centred service delivery
  
• Sound knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/information
  
• Ability to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetings. 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
  
• Consistent/ reliable and flexible
  
• Ability to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practices
  
• Demonstrated client-centred and customer focused approach
  
• Ability to solve problems 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

Hours of Work and Working Conditions:

• Monday-Tuesday 10:00am-3:30pm and Wednesday-Friday 11:30am-5:00pm
• May require a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle for the purpose of work depending on program specifications (e.g., FOCUS program)

Benefits:

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 as well as temporary full-time (with a contract for at least 1 year) and temporary part-time staff (with a contract for at least 1 year and 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 
  
• Travel assistance 
  
• Vision care 
  

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before June 13, 2025 at 4:00pm.

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.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, respect, dedication, equity, accountability, teamwork, 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. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca