Immediate Intervention Specialist

Why join CMHA Peel Dufferin?

Support your community. Advance your career. Fulfill your purpose.

Joining the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch means you’ll be part of something meaningful. For starters, we’re honored to have received the Canadian Non-Profit Employer of Choice Award for our efforts to help people live better. Providing support and services to those who live with mental illness and addictions, we’re committed to increasing awareness and addressing the stigma surrounding mental health. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to create a diverse organization that represents the communities we serve – and the people we help.

What We Offer

As a community-based agency, we’re dedicated to the mental, physical, and social health of everyone – including our team members. That’s why we’re proud to offer a total rewards package that helps our team members balance their professional and home life. You’ll also be empowered to keep learning new skills and reaching your goals – from developing a career growth plan to participating in training sessions.

In addition to competitive benefits like Employee Family Assistance Plan and optional extended health and dental benefits, we offer our team members some unique perks that really stand out:

4 weeks accrued vacation

Up to 18 paid sick days accrued per year, plus 2 flexible days each year

HOOPP Pension Plan

Ongoing professional development plus $250 annual funding for continuing education and certifications

$350 annual allowance to invest in achieving your personal wellness goals

Participation in organizational pay for performance incentive program

We are looking for an Immediate Intervention Specialist to join our Black Health and Social Services Multi- disciplinary Team (BHSS MDT)

Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin (CMHA Peel Dufferin) is partnering with LAMP Community Health Centre (LAMP CHC) and Roots Community Services Inc (RootsCS) to design, develop and implement an integrated health and social services hub with and for the Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities in Peel Region.

The hub provides primary health, mental health, addictions and social services programs that will holistically address the physical, mental, social and cultural needs of BAC communities, and seek to eliminate disparities and inequities. To achieve our goals, we are recruiting people who are passionate about delivering culturally relevant, responsive and affirming care that will inspire individuals to improve their wellbeing.

The Immediate Intervention Specialist will serve as the first point of contact for individuals accessing BHSS Hub services. Using a stepped-care approach, the Specialist will assess each individual’s needs, provide an appropriate immediate brief intervention and, where required, develop a plan for additional services.

We value the diverse experiences of Black, African and Caribbean candidates. We also recognize the importance of allyship and the critical role allies play in affecting change; we encourage these candidates to also apply.

• Status: Permanent full-time, 37.5 hours per week. Note, this posting is for an active vacancy.
• Salary: $62,425.03-$73,441.21 annually. (Candidate qualifications will be considered when determining the starting salary)
• Location: This position is based out of our office at 19 Rutherford Rd S., Ontario. Due to the nature of the program, this role is on-site and community based.

What You Will Do:

Act as low barrier first response and front-line resource to the community; promptly respond to incoming phone calls in a “call center” like team environment, respond to in person walk in inquiries, email, or other means of contact.

Assess and provide crisis support; make connection to crisis services when appropriate.

Assess client’s eligibility for relevant services, while prioritizing treatment, based on level of need using initial assessment and information obtained from client and collateral sources.

Determine what intervention(s) clients would benefit from and ensure the appropriate mix, and intensity of services to allow for a stepped care approach where appropriate.

Provide short term task-based interventions for clients who need immediate supports to alleviate any distress (e.g., financial applications, referrals to other community services, establish crisis plans).

Provide single session 1:1 in person or telephone support for clients who will benefit from supports to alleviate any immediate distress.

Facilitate groups as part of CMHA PD groups calendar, including the creation of new groups as needed and acting as a back-up facilitator.

Contact with primary care at regular intervals to report clients’ service initiation and communicate interventions and care plans.

Work collaboratively with other Immediate Intervention Specialists to support organizational needs (e.g., volumes across all regions) covered by CMHA PD

This posting description indicates the key responsibilities and core functions of the position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities.

What You Need to Join Our Team:

Post-secondary degree or diploma in relevant discipline (e.g., BSW, MSW, OT, RN) - Being a registered and/or regulated health professional is an asset.

Minimum 2 years of experience in the mental health and addictions sectors with a focus on assessment, brief interventions and short term supports.

Expertise in community mental health and/or community based human services.

Minimum of 2 of the following trainings and willing to train up in 6 months: Single Session, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Trauma Informed Care, Virtual Care, Interprofessional Multidisciplinary Teams, and Crisis Intervention skills.

Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to effectively work with Black, African and Caribbean communities.

Demonstrated experience working within a multidisciplinary team and evidence of an understanding of the importance of partnerships and collaboration.

Demonstrated and practical understanding of anti-Black racism and intersectionality, and various barriers which affect diverse identities

Strong understanding of the current and historical health inequities experienced by Black, African and Caribbean communities.

Intersectional understanding of current social realities and barriers experienced by BAC communities, from an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, feminist, self-aware and trauma-informed approach to practice is mandatory.

Knowledge of local cultural programs and services to refer individuals and families from Black, African and Caribbean communities within the service catchment area.

Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to approach, listen, build trust, and communicate across diverse cultures and intersectionality. Willingness to continually improve understanding around cultural competence.

Openness to operate from an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional framework.

Willingness to learn and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, such as gender identity/expression, race/cultural background, religion, sexual orientation, disability, immigration and precarious status, family status, etc.

Fluency in a second language, including ASL (American Sign Language) is considered an asset.

Valid Canadian driver’s license and access to an insured automobile in good repair

A satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening (Police Check) report.

Deadline to Apply: Monday September 28 at 4:00 PM

At the Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Dufferin Branch, we provide a wide array of community services, resources, and care for people with mental illness. In your role, you’ll not only assist people who are struggling,