Mental Health and Addiction Specialist

at  The Calgary John Howard Society

THE AGENCY:

The Calgary John Howard Society (CJHS) is a charity that reduces crime and makes Calgary communities safer by helping youth and adults make positive changes and move away from criminal behavior. We do this by addressing the root causes of crime through housing, education, employment programs and support so that individuals have alternatives to breaking the law. CJHS is committed to restorative justice and an organizational environment that recognizes the dignity and worth of each person. CJHS values diversity and inclusion and welcomes qualified applicants from all walks of life.

• Assist youth across CJHS programs with identifying goals related to their holistic mental health and safer substance use and then developing a plan in collaboration with caseworkers to achieve these goals.
• Provide one-on-one support to youth in developing skills related to mental health stability, crisis management, distress tolerance, safer substance use, and positive coping.
• Provision of clinical assessments, including mental functioning, substance use, medication, suicide and self-harm screening, etc.
• Provide written reports and treatment recommendations, strategies, and training to the case management teams.
• Use clinical reasoning for advocacy amongst the youth’s professional support teams.
• Provide hands-on modelling and coaching to natural and professional supports, guided by the youth’s individual treatment plans.
• Participate in case conferences, playing an active role in coordinating wrap-around supports for youth.
• Promote and maintain effective linkages with addiction, mental health systems, and community agencies, connecting youth with appropriate community treatment.
• Organize training and workshops for the staff and youth regarding addiction and mental health issues.
• Consult with case management teams, to build capacities to provide support for system navigation related to mental health and addictions concerns