Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

BridgeNorth is seeking a passionate individual to fill the role of Case Manager. We are seeking someone who embodies the values of BridgeNorth, creates accessible and safe spaces for youth who have experienced sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. You understand how to create and maintain a "low-barrier" model of service and are comfortable operating "in the grey" as we serve a wide range of individuals with unique experiences, strengths, challenges, and needs. You are open to learning, flexible, and a strong team player who is committed to serving trafficked/exploited youth with excellence.

The Case Manager is responsible for coordinating support for youth participants on their case loads from referral/intake through to discharge. The Case Manager conducts intake and assessment, provides counselling, makes referrals, liaises with collaterals, provides appropriate advocacy with the systems which impact the youth, and developing care plans with participants to support them to meet their needs and reach their goals. The Case Manager works collaboratively with the Direct Services team, the participant's other support staff (the Support Worker and Instructor) and with community agencies, law enforcement, schools, etc. in order to support the participants on their case loads.

Candidates with lived experience of sex trafficking and/or sexual exploitation are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have lived experience and are unsure if you meet the qualifications for the role, we encourage you to contact us.

Strong preference will be given to candidates with lived experience of sex trafficking/sexual exploitation, Indigenous candidates, and/or candidates who speak French.

Organizational Profile

BridgeNorth's mission is to restore the inherent dignity and value of sexually exploited women and girls by meeting their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. We help individuals experience freedom from sex trafficking in Canada through survivor-led support, prevention, education, and advocacy. We provide direct service to individuals and families impacted by sex trafficking, create public education and awareness, and advocate on behalf of trafficked persons for systemic change. We lead out of lived experience and trauma-informed care. We work with all people. We are an inclusive community dedicated to representing and supporting the diverse needs of the individuals whom we serve. We are especially focused on ensuring that BridgeNorth is a safe place for participants and partners who are part of vulnerable communities and/or marginalized identities, which are sadly over-represented in sex trafficking in Canada, such as 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC populations. Our agency's value-based framework is committed to the socially just approach of being trauma-informed, person-centred, strengths-based, feminist, anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Intake

- The Case Manger will be assigned referrals by the Manager of Direct Services. The Case Manager is responsible for organizing, coordinating, and conducting intake meetings with participants, and their caregivers and/or referring agencies (when applicable).

- The Case Manager is responsible for completing all intake documentation and completing a risk assessment for each youth.

- In consultation with the Manager of Direct Services, the Case Manager assesses fit for BridgeNorth's programs. Case Managers then accepts participants into the appropriate service, or provide referrals to other resources as appropriate.

Assessment and Plan Development

- The Case Manager, with support from the participant's assigned support worker, conducts assessments and works in collaboration with the participant to develop strategies, goals and plans to support participants to meet their unique emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, cultural, and clinical needs.

- Provides support to participants utilizing the following frameworks:

o Person-centred

o Trauma-informed

o Stages of Change

o Harm Reduction

o Strengths-based

o GBA+

o Feminist

o Anti-oppressive

o Anti-racist

o Culturally relevant

- Works with the Direct Services Team to ensure participants receive the appropriate one-on-one and group support and accommodations.

- Participates in LifeEdge Team meetings for the purposes of being informed on all participant care plans, providing input to those plans, and to support continuity of care for participants.

Participant Support Functions

- Case Managers meet regularly with youth on their caseloads (in program and in the community) to provide ongoing, consistent, and positive support, counselling, goal setting, safety planning, life skills development, psychoeducation, encouragement, etc.

- Establishes supportive relationships with participants and is able to set firm and reasonable limits and boundaries.

- Promotes, through the harm reduction model, healthy lifestyles, relationships, and individuality with participants.

- In collaboration with the Direct Services Team and in consultation with the Manager of Direct Services, continuously reviews and updates participant assessments and support plans to continue to meet their individualized needs and goals.

- Handles crisis situations in an appropriate manner.

- Supports participants to develop safety plans.

- Makes referrals to appropriate external services.

- Liaises with collaterals including:

o Child Protection

o Community Service Providers

o Parents/Caregivers

o Law Enforcement

o Schools

o Etc.

- Attends applicable community meetings and case coordination meetings with and for participants.

- Advocates on behalf of Participants, facilitating access to resources and proper trauma-informed treatment within the justice, education, housing, child welfare, social service, and other systems.

Facilitation, Speaking Engagements, & Events

- The Case Manager may co-facilitate classroom sessions of the SAVVY Prevention Program with up to 10 female-identifying and gender-diverse youth aged 12-18, as assigned.

- The Case Manager may deliver education and awareness sessions in the community (i.e. schools, churches, social services agencies, etc.), as assigned.

- The Case Manager may attend other community events as assigned.

Administrative Responsibilities

- The Case Manager is responsible for completing and maintaining all required participant documentation, including:

o Case Notes

o Participant Files in BridgeNorth's case management system

o All required forms in participant files (intake forms, incident reports, serious occurrences, care plans, medical alert forms, etc.)

- Is responsible for remaining familiar with and complying with all BridgeNorth policies and procedures and seeks support from management when needed.

- Keeps accurate records and receipts when required for mileage, parking, and other program delivery-related expenses and submits on a monthly basis.

Measurement and Evaluation

- Works with Program staff to ensure all regularly scheduled participant surveys and interviews are completed as outlined in BridgeNorth's Performance Measurement Framework.

Other Duties

- Lead and or participate in other projects/assignments as required.

- Maintain confidentiality of all participants

- In all aspects of the role, the Case Manager is required to be familiar with and adhere to Duty to Report requirements according to relevant legislation and BridgeNorth Policies.

- The Case Manager role requires regular travel in York Region, Simcoe County, and the Greater Toronto Area. Whenever possible, groups, meetings, and appointments are arranged such that travel time from the BridgeNorth office, is done during the scheduled work shift.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

- Behavior is consistent with commitment to the organization's values.

- Behaviour is consistent with commitment to the organization's policies.

- Behaviour is consistent with commitment to ongoing learning.

- Demonstrates a positive attitude and ability to self-regulate in a wide range of situations.

- Maintains confidentiality in accordance with organization standards and Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) legislation.

- Up-to-date knowledge of all applicable HT legislation and laws.

- As part of the team, help provide for the safety of self, co-workers and participants by recognizing, assessing, and de-escalating potential risk situations, and identifying/strategizing solutions with the Manager of Direct Services and authorities as required.

- Represents the organization through inter and intra-agency activities in a manner that:

o Maintains and fosters a spirit of teamwork and cooperation with staff and others.

o Communicates and liaises effectively with management and staff.

o Works cooperatively and collaboratively with other programs and staff as well as other agencies, police, schools, and community groups.

o Maintains awareness of community resources and involves program participants and staff in the same as appropriate.

- Strong computer skills, particularly with MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).

- Ability to exercise professionalism and sound judgement in conflictual and stressful situations.

- Sensitivity to and ability to work with a diverse client and staff group.

- Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to manage well in a crisis, self-regulate, and model self-regulation skills with participants.

- Understand, accept, and demonstrate behaviours and attitudes consistent with the values of a "low-barrier" service which does not turn its back on participants when they exhibit challenging behaviours. This means that while setting boundaries and maintaining a safe space, staff are expected to provide individualized accommodations to each participant, understanding the root causes of challenging behaviours so participants receive the support they need and can remain in programming.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

- Completion of relevant post-secondary education (BSW, MSW, SSW, CYC, etc.) or equivalent professional experience.

- Minimum 3 years' experience in case management roles.

- Experience in delivery of trauma-informed, person-centred, strengths-based, feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racist, and culturally sensitive services.

- Experience working with youth with multiple vulnerabilities which may include transient housing or homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, abuse, neglect, diagnoses such as FASD, ASD, ADHD, and mental health issues (e.g. anxiety, eating disorders, depression, etc.)

- Must be able to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Clearance Certificate (at BridgeNorth's expense)

- Must have a valid Ontario Driver's License and a vehicle. The role requires staff to drive to various locations in and around York Region, Simcoe County, and the Greater Toronto Area to deliver the program and be in the community with participants.

The following qualifications and experience are all assets for this position:

- Registration with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers (OCSWSW)

- Experience in the Anti-Human Trafficking (AHT) or Violence Against Women (VAW) sectors.

- Experience working within the public school system.

- Experience working with peer mentorship programs.

- Certification in Mental Health, Addictions, Youth, Trauma Counselling etc.

- First Aid & CPR.

- French/English Bilingualism is a strong asset.

Note: BridgeNorth believes strongly in supporting the personal and professional development of those with lived experience. If you are an individual with lived experience, who is interested in this role, we welcome your application even if you have few of the additional qualifications and experiences listed in this next section.

Job Type: Full-time, Fixed-term contract

Benefits:

- Casual dress

- Employee assistance program

- Health Services Spending account

- Paid Time off

Schedule: Monday - Friday

- Occasional evenings or weekends may be required

Job Location: In Person: This role requires primarily in-person work (attending in-person meetings at BridgeNorth's office, working in-office during LifeEdge Program hours, meeting with youth at BridgeNorth's office and in their community, in person meetings with other agencies, etc.)

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract

Pay: $55,000.00-$60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Employee assistance program Paid time off
Application question(s):

Do you have lived experience of sexual exploitation and/or sex trafficking? Do you have access to an insured vehicle that you can use for work purposes? (deal breaker)
Experience:

Case management: 2 years (required)
Language:

French (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Driver's License (required)
Work Location: In person