Diversion Case Manager – Special Project

Who we are

YouthLink believes in the potential of every youth, and we are dedicated to providing them with the support, guidance and opportunities they need to make positive life choices. We provide youth with brief and ongoing counselling, in-home wraparound support, shelter, housing, educational support, and safe drop-in spaces.

Guided by our mission and inspired by the potential to make a profound impact, Youthlink works closely with youth, families and partners in our community. We come together to highlight and develop strengths, aspirations and positive actions that improve the health and well-being of all who live, work, study and play in our community. As a service delivery organization, we leverage data-driven decision-making and grassroots engagement with youth advisory councils to create an inclusive, innovative, and responsive agency that provides the best fit and most needed services for our communities.

If you are seeking a meaningful opportunity and want to play a key role in bringing our vision for a stronger Scarborough where all youth and families thrive, join us.

• Meet with youth entering the shelter to assess and explore safe alternative living arrangements through solution focused support and diversion services.
• Work within a system of care approach to assess diversion or entry to the shelter, and provide coordinated access to the shelter system if appropriate
• Develop and apply a formal diversion assessment tool to support YouthLink’s emerging diversion program. In collaboration with the evaluation team, use research and evidence to develop or select an objective measure to determine whether there is a match between a client’s needs and the services of the organization or another service elsewhere in the community.

• Apply client-centered approach when working with youth to achieve positive outcomes and empower them through strength-based practices.
• Provide counseling, conflict resolution and mediation to youth, their ‘families’ and/or landlords to prevent homelessness.

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community partners and support youth with referrals to appropriate professional services. Assist in creating and documenting best practices and protocols that promote positive shelter diversion outcomes.
• Participate in client care reviews and team meetings to ensure effective delivery of support services and continuity of care.
• Collaborate with other agencies that work in the areas of youth homelessness.
• Utilize assessment tools to provide accurate care planning, outcomes and client centered goal development.

• Manage client information and database systems. Ensures all documentation is in adherence to SMIS and EMHWare guidelines.
• Prepares values-aligned documentation meeting professional standards on all significant interactions with residents. Maintains appropriate documentation in case file and logs, completes incident reports, police reports, under age contact reports, child protection reports, safety plans and medical feedback forms.
• Ensure information regarding service delivery is logged and recorded into the client information database by the end of each shift. Understands the role of empowerment-based documentation and the power of how documentation creates stories about young people. Ensure safety and security of clients, guests, staff and
• property.

• Compiles statistical information and prepares monthly reports as required for program evaluation and development.
• Maintain accurate records, including Housing Technology, and entering client data for monthly, quarterly and annual funding reports.
• Actively network within the community to promote the program and services by conducting presentations, attending information sessions and sitting on committees.

• Participates in individual supervision meetings, team meetings, case conferences, workshops and committees as required. Actively contributes to the Agency’s strategic Plan by participating in initiatives and committees to support the overall Plan. Participate in all mandatory professional training provided by the Agency.
• Represent the Agency in a professional manner when dealing with families, external
• professionals, general public and community partners.

• Promote an environment of inclusion that promotes equity and respects diversity
• Takes all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect his/her/their own health and safety and that of co-workers by complying and demonstrating knowledge of the policies, procedures and safe practices established by YouthLink

• Undergraduate Degree in Social Work, Social Services Worker Diploma, Degree/Diploma in Child and Youth Worker or a combination of directly related education and experience.
• First Aid / CPR certification training.
• CPI/SMG certification training.

• 2+ years experience within the social service sector supporting youth experiencing homelessness, mental illness and substance use in obtaining housing, employment, educational and community opportunities.
• Experience in mental health, harm reduction and crisis intervention.
• Experience supporting youth through evidence-based practices and frameworks (Motivational Interviewing, CBT, DBT, Harm Reduction).
• Experience innovating on or developing new programming to address client needs is a strong asset
• Demonstrated competency in using an equity lens to provide support to young people, and in particular, using an Anti-Black Racism lens.
• Knowledge of housing first for youth, trauma informed care, and counselling.
• Knowledge of resources within the Region of Scarborough, specifically for youth.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and written skills is an asset.
• Strong data literacy skills and the ability to document successes/learnings is an asset
• Computer proficiency including office software (Microsoft), database/client records
• systems and social media is an asset.
• French or any language other than English is an asset.
• Knowledge of Scarborough and the different communities
• Knowledge of housing first for youth, trauma informed care, and counselling.
• Knowledge of resources within the Region of Scarborough, specifically for youth.
• A valid Ontario Driver’s License

• Police Vulnerable Sector Check required.
• 2 Step TB Test required

• 20 working hours per week, including 2 evenings per week. May be required to work occasional weekends. Some local travelling required.

• 747 Warden Ave, Scarborough

Join us.

YouthLink's core values define what we stand for and how we operate, helping us to work together in the most fulfilling ways.

We value leadership, acting in ways that exemplify what we expect of each other and our clients. We work together, bringing out the best in each other and creating strong working relationships. Our professional ethics are evident in all the work we do and the decisions we make.

We value humanity and show consideration for people, their abilities, skills, diversity and perspectives. We create an inclusive workplace that celebrates individual differences and, through our actions, demonstrates empathy, goodwill and honesty.

We value innovation, demonstrating flexibility and changeability in adapting to our work and community dynamics. We show courage in developing service initiatives that will improve the well-being of our clients and their families.

We value respect for people for who they are and for their knowledge, skills and experience as individuals and team members. We treat clients with respect and fairness and encourage the same in return.

We value excellence, demonstrating competence and accountability in delivering client services. We display clear judgment and exhibit clear thinking and reasoning in all situations. We continually strive to accomplish all tasks and provide an outstanding service for our clients.

Benefits

At YouthLink, we understand the nature of our work and the deep commitment every team member offers. We strive to provide a rewarding compensation and benefits package to support our people. This includes:

• Comprehensive health and dental coverage for you and your family, with 100% of the premiums fully covered.
• Annual vacation with pay at 1.66 working days for each calendar month to a maximum of 20 working days per year.
• 5 ‘authorized absence’ days for family illness or emergency circumstances that prohibit employees from reporting to work.
• 3 paid agency days every calendar year after 3 calendar months service.
• Maternity / parental /adoption leave top-up payments (to top-up Canadian government unemployment benefit payments).
• 100% premium cost for long-term disability coverage paid by employee.
• Eligibility to participate in the pension plan after 2 years of continuous service with a generous matching employer contribution.

Apply now.

We welcome applications from candidates who reflect the communities we serve, particularly candidates from Black communities, Indigenous communities, racialized people, persons with disabilities, members of diverse gender identities and people with lived experiences. 

We are seeking candidates who demonstrably operate and practice from an equity and trauma-informed lens. We encourage applications from passionate professionals who will help us dismantle systemic barriers and embrace working outside of Euro-centric practices.  

If you meet 70% of the qualifications we are looking for and share 100% of our passion and commitment to supporting youth and their families, please submit your application. We can’t promise to hire you; we can promise to review your lived and learned experiences fully.

We are committed to providing equitable employment opportunities and a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations at any stage of the interview process, please email us at [email protected].