Housing First for Encampment & Street Homelessness (H-FRESH)One (1) Bargaining Unit, Permanent Full-Time PositionTuesday - Saturday, 11:00am-7:00pmExisting VacancyCompensation: $29.77/hour-$34.54/hourAbout CotaCota 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 chance 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 OverviewThe Case Manager, Addictions Specialist 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 TeamThe Case Manager, Addictions Specialist is linked to Cota's Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT), with a targeted focus on individuals residing in encampments in East Toronto. The Housing First for Encampment & Street Homelessness (H-FRESH) branch of AHFT, provides targeted, assertive outreach supports specifically to 40 individuals currently residing in encampments in East Toronto. H-FRESH is a City of Toronto funded research project, in collaboration with CAMH and LOFT.The Assertive Housing First Team (AHFT) utilizes an interdisciplinary team model and a Housing First approach to support individuals who are homeless and living with mental health challenges. AHFT is an interdisciplinary team comprised of Case Managers who have expertise in Mental Health, Addictions and Nursing, Personal Support Service Worker, Peer Support Specialist and Access to team psychiatric hours.The Case Manager, Addictions Specialist will contribute to the development of comprehensive person-centered psychiatric and physical health assessments and treatment plans, and provide community-based case management supports to an assigned group of service users, including education, crisis intervention, and linking to community resources. This position also will provide social, educational, and addiction group activities.Primary Responsibilities:The Case Manager's primary duties may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:Reviewing the referral information of applicants to the programCoordinating and participating in screening interviews with applicants and their respective referral sourcesDetermining eligibility for the program and confirming acceptance of new clients into the programDeveloping a collaborative, supportive and therapeutic relationship with each designated client for whom he/she is assigned primary responsibilityCompleting a comprehensive assessment of the nature of each client's unique goals and needs through collaborative engagement with each client and their respective support networksProviding guidance and assistance to each client in relation to the development of both a personalized Client Safety Plan and a Recovery/Goal PlanProviding direct practical support,



coaching and counsel to clients in their pursuit of identified goals and needsThese supports may include, but not necessarily be limited to:Assistance in acquiring shelter, food, income, ID and clothingSupport in the development and maintenance of ADLsAssistance in developing a healthy support networkAssistance in accessing primary healthAssistance in accessing psychiatric careAssistance in developing personal skills in the areas of budgeting, medication managementDeveloping harm reduction strategies in relation to substance useAssistance in the pursuit of educational/vocational interestsAssistance in developing personal self-management strategiesAssistance in accessing/securing safe/affordable housingResearching and/or identifying options for alternate/supplementary community services and supports as required/requestedAssisting each client in accessing and coordinating other supports, services and appointmentsLiaising with each client's support network members as appropriate and where client consent has been obtainedAssisting clients with emergency and/or crisis needs as required/appropriateAssisting in coordinating and facilitating group activities/events which foster client engagement/participation, the development of social networks, and skill acquisitionCoordinating the purchasing of necessary program/activity supplies, and accounts for purchases in accordance with program guidelinesParticipating in team meetings, providing input and ideas for improving services, efficiencies and ongoing program planningDocumentation and Data Entry:Documents all service client contacts/interactions in the appropriate client chart according to COTA Health's documentation guidelinesEnters data relating to client interactions into COTA Health's database system according to data collection guidelinesAssists with other data collection activities within the program, as determined by the Supervisor and/or TeamOther Responsibilities:Maintains current certification and/or up-to-date training in identified "Required Training" areasAdheres to all COTA Health's policies and procedures and follows established applicable program guidelines, procedures and practicesAdheres to all applicable legislation, particularly the Ontario Human Rights CodeComply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and clients and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptlyWorks cooperatively, respectfully and constructively with clients, Team members, management, other service providers, and external stakeholdersEnsure that the confidentiality of clients, employees and COTA information is always maintainedUndertakes other related and/or delegated duties, as assignedQualifications:Education & Experience:Either:a) A combination of a post-secondary degree/diploma in a related field and 2-3 years direct experience, assessed as being relevant to the specific target population being servedOr, b) A combination of BSW, MSW or other regulated health care professional designation and a minimum of 1 year direct experience, assessed a being relevant to the specific target population being servedEssential Qualifications:Addictions Certificate or MH & Addictions Diploma/DegreeExperience working with a population that includes individuals managing addiction and implementing harm reduction strategiesAssets:Lived experience managing addiction considered an assetCommunity experience would be considered an assetKnowledge and Skills:Excellent clinical knowledge relevant to the target population being served and/or unique role, as demonstrated through specialized training, or previous work experienceExcellent clinical assessment/support skills relating to the specific target populationAdvanced understanding of the values and principles associated with Recovery Oriented/Client Centred service deliverySound knowledge of community resources relevant to the target population being served and/or demonstrated ability to search for applicable resources/informationAbility to design and implement group activities and facilitate group meetingsAdvanced crisis management and dispute resolution skillsExcellent 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 othersConsistent/ reliable and flexibleAbility to recognize safety issues and follow safe work practicesDemonstrated client-centred and customer focused approachAbility to solve problems and make recommendations to resolve issuesEffective team playerSensitive to challenges experienced by marginalized population groups such as poverty, access issues, mental health and addictionsOther:Conduct visits in encampments, clients' homes, hostels, hospitals and other community settings working in sometimes difficult conditions, including hoarding and pest infestationsComfortable working with a broad range of client groupsMust have access to a vehicle ( This position requires frequent travel to provide in person supports to multiple clients on a daily basis. For clarity, public and non-motorized modes of transportation are not considered vehicles and are not approved modes of transportation for this position)The application deadline is November 12, 2026 at 4:00pm.We are committed to fostering a workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We recognize lived experience as a valuable form of knowledge and encourage applications from individuals with a wide range of experiences, identities, and perspectives - including those with lived experience of housing insecurity, mental health or substance use recovery, or engagement with community supports. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.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 will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:Extended health careLife insuranceAccidental death and dismemberment insuranceDental carePermanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.Additional Information:A 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.A Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.About Cota HealthCOTA Health (Cota) is an accredited, not-for-profit, community-based organization thathas been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges to live wellwithin their communities for over 45 years. We provide person-centred supports thatassist individuals to find inspiration and hope in their inherent strengths and supportthem to pursue meaningful change in their lives, as they define it. Cota also workscollaboratively with our funders, our partners and other stakeholders, across theprovincial health and social service systems, to inspire positive change in the way thatservices are delivered to individuals living with mental health and cognitivechallenges.

📌 Case Manager, Addictions Specialist (Toronto)
🏢 COTA Health
📍 Toronto