Comprehensive Care Specialist
About the job
- A Master of Social Work or post-graduate degree in a relevant or related area with at least 2 years of extensive crisis/complex seniors experience, or a Bachelor of Social Work with at least 5 years of extensive crisis/complex/seniors experience.
- Registration in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers or another relevant regulatory body in Ontario, such as CPRO or COTO.
- At least 3 years of related experience in mental health, addictions, and/or social work.
- Demonstrated experience facilitating psychosocial groups and supporting individuals with significant mental health and/or addictions issues, cognitive impairment such as dementia, and chronic health issues using harm reduction, trauma-informed, and mental health recovery approaches.
- Experience in conflict mediation, client engagement, and community development.
- Demonstrated ability to support individuals with complex mental health and/or addiction issues, geriatric issues, cognitive impairment, history of trauma, violence or abuse, and chronic physical health issues.
- Working knowledge of theories of addiction, evidence-based treatment models, and best-practice approaches.
- Knowledge and experience providing therapeutic and supportive counseling, and addictions counseling and support.
- Ability to provide intensive and short-term case management, care coordination, and system navigation; strong assessment skills.
- Strong de-escalation and crisis intervention skills.
- Interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills to work collaboratively with service providers and stakeholders.
- Organizational and time-management skills.
- Oral and written communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member with community professionals.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and flexibility and work from a client-centred approach.
- Comprehensive knowledge of mental health, addictions, geriatrics, the health sector, and community resources.
- Knowledge of issues affecting marginalized communities, policies, legislation, programs, scope of practice, and social determinants of health.
- Applied computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet, and ability to use client information systems.
- Ability to fulfill the physical and psychological demands of the job.
- Develop trust and rapport with clients and hospital staff to identify individuals who could benefit from social work support and transitional care coordination.
- Work with hospital staff to identify and engage clients and support appropriate referrals to the Comprehensive Care and Integration Specialist team.
- Follow up with referral sources when necessary to learn about the client, reason for hospitalization, and/or reason for referral to support development of a Coordinated Care Plan.
- Develop relationships with service providers to make effective referrals and service connections.
- Work with central intake and program managers to identify clients with frequent hospital or emergency department use who may benefit from support to reduce unnecessary hospital use.
- Perform psychosocial and/or psychological and geriatric assessments.
- Provide service and care coordination, system navigation, short- and long-term planning, and follow-up support.
- Provide short-term case management services of up to 90 days by developing and implementing a care plan and/or Coordinated Care Plan addressing clients’ priority and emerging needs.
- Provide intensive short-term care coordination and work with the team, hospitals, and referral sources to support clients and transitions between hospital and community.
- Provide clinical and/or supportive counseling using therapeutic approaches suited to clients’ needs and circumstances.
- Assess risk preliminarily in crisis situations, consult and devise intervention and action plans, and provide crisis intervention.
- Provide crisis intervention and practical assistance to clients, families, or caregivers in homes and community settings as required.
- Connect clients with internal Community Care Unit and WoodGreen resources and services, as well as external resources and programs.
- Work to prevent avoidable emergency department visits, 30-day hospital readmissions, and Alternative Level of Care placements for referred clients.
- Facilitate access to services, including arranging telephone or in-person interpretation when needed.
- Develop appropriate onsite programming and supports with internal and external partners; facilitate or lead social and/or support groups as required.
- Provide suggestions, support, and resources to other Comprehensive Care and Integration specialists and participate actively in the team by sharing expertise.
- Participate in team calls and manage accepted referrals, including data collection and tracking.
- Discuss options for expanding referral sources while balancing team capacity and operational needs, and recommend continued development of the Hub model.
- Ensure organizational policies and procedures are carried out.
- Communicate with staff working onsite at specified locations, including personal support workers, housing workers, supervisors, and community partners.
- Keep current on services available from other agencies.
- Provide mentorship, training, and/or supervision to student placements and volunteers.
- Participate regularly in team and unit meetings and promote healthy team and unit functioning.
- Participate in ongoing training and education, supervision sessions, and annual performance appraisals with the program manager.
- Maintain timely records and documentation and collect statistical data required for program accountability.
- Represent the unit on internal and/or external staff committees as directed by the program manager.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Training and experience using the InterRAI suite, Pirouette, and ConnectingOntario are assets.
- Proficiency in a second language, written and oral, is a strong asset.
About the company
WoodGreen Community Services provides a broad set of social services to Toronto residents, coordinating housing resources, health care, seniors’ programs, support for neurodiverse individuals and caregivers, financial counselling, employment services, child care, after-school programs, wrap-around education and employment for single mothers, settlement services for newcomers and refugees, and youth mental health services. These programs are delivered by interdisciplinary teams and through partnerships to help clients navigate barriers and build skills. The organization differentiates itself as one of the largest social service agencies in Toronto and by co-designing services with clients and communities, while serving as a United Way Anchor Agency connected to a broader network. Its goal is to empower individuals and communities to overcome barriers, improve well-being, and pursue independence and opportunity.
Company Size
501-1,000
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Toronto, Canada
Founded
N/A
Get referred to WoodGreen Community Services
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Budget 2026 added $1.1 billion for home and community care, aiding WoodGreen's services.
- Homeward Bound received a $2 million Raymond Chang Foundation gift in 2026.
- WoodGreen expanded with Turning Point Youth Services, strengthening youth programming under one banner.
What critics are saying
- Supportive-housing demand keeps rising while Ontario's $53 million funding covers existing stock, not growth.
- The 72 Perth Avenue project finishes in 2028, delaying rent revenue and reputational wins.
- One major provincial funding rollback would cripple operations across housing, youth, and caregiver programs.
What makes WoodGreen Community Services unique
- WoodGreen serves 40,000 Torontonians annually across 75 programs, spanning housing and care.
- Toronto selected WoodGreen to manage 59 supportive homes at 185 Cummer Ave by 2026.
- WoodGreen won a $1 million TD Ready Challenge grant for affordable-housing financing innovation.
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Benefits
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Company News
Deep Retrofit diary: tower transformation from 1967 to net zero. I know The Atmospheric Fund say this every year, but... The Atmospheric Fund is well underway with its most ambitious retrofit project to date! TAF is working with partners including WoodGreen, ERA Architects, Critical Path, and Penalta Group to complete a net zero retrofit at 444 Logan Ave. With 160 suites of seniors' housing, a key focus of the project has been to minimize resident disruption and improve comfort, resilience, and building performance. I'm excited to provide some updates on the work done so far, and what The Atmospheric Fund is looking forward to for the rest of the project. What's really stood out for me so far hasn't been the innovative technologies or the speed of progress - it's the level of collaboration, care, and respect from everyone involved. There is a strong sense of community and shared purpose. The construction team knows all the details of the project, and how their work is contributing to the end goals. Building staff have remained engaged throughout the process, taking time to understand the changes and how they affect the community. The residents are curious and optimistic - and while no one loves construction, disruptions have been minimized with regular communication. The Atmospheric Fund saw this in action in June, when the heat pumps and ERVs were being lifted via crane to the top of the 21-storey building. The resident coordinator helped to manage traffic in and out of the driveway, while juggling lunch delivery and addressing tenant needs. Several residents chose to sit outside to catch all the action, and had their questions answered by the building staff and construction crew. Commitments by the whole project team to communication, transparency, and collaboration at every stage has helped build trust and foster meaningful partnerships. Since construction started in late 2025, the team has already completed some of the most intensive physical and planning stages of work: Improving the building envelope: * The previous building cladding has been removed, and new prefabricated overcladding panels from Canadian manufacturer Triumph are being installed as The Atmospheric Fund speak. This will make the building more airtight, improving energy efficiency and comfort. * Balconies are typically a big source of heat loss in buildings. Multiple layers of thermal barrier paint have been applied, aiming to prevent heat loss from thermal bridging. Electrifying the building: * Heat pumps, hot water tanks, buffer tanks, and ERVs have all been delivered to site! The old generator was removed from the roof the same day that the heat pumps and ERVs were installed. By the end of the project, residents will enjoy more comfortable units and the added benefit of cooling. * Piping for the heat pumps has been installed on the exterior of the building. Since residents are staying in their suites during construction, this has helped to minimize indoor disruption. In the coming months, prefabricated panel installation continues, including panels on the south side of the building with integrated solar cladding. The Atmospheric Fund is bringing in a new transformer and completing HVAC connections including the fresh air intake dampers in each unit. TAF and its partners will keep you in the loop. Its Retrofit Accelerator was able to partner on this groundbreaking project thanks to the Government of Canada's Deep Retrofit Accelerator Initiative, but with strong demand for retrofit services, The Atmospheric Fund need to see the program recapitalized. With $2 billion in projects lined up across the country's Accelerators, The Atmospheric Fund hope that 444 Logan will be just one of many retrofitted net zero housing projects across Canada. TAF has been involved with project planning, design workshops, project planning and design review. Its funding has supported energy modelling and investigative studies, and The Atmospheric Fund is also monitoring Indoor Environmental Quality in a number of suites during and post-construction.
GEORGE BROWN POLYTECHNIC George Brown hosts WoodGreen and Toronto Council Fire Youth Empowerment Conference, inspiring youth to pursue their own path to success. March 17, 2026 The Youth Empowerment Conference ignited George Brown Polytechnic's Waterfront Campus on March 6, bringing together Grade 11 and 12 students from across the city for a day filled with meaningful conversation, exploration, and community connection. Organized by WoodGreen Community Services and Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, the event provided a space where young people could speak openly about the realities of growing up today, from navigating an uncertain economic climate to developing a sense of identity, direction, and purpose. The conference aimed to remind youth that life does not follow a straight path and that success can take many meaningful forms. Storytelling, mentorship, and community connection Throughout the day, participants engaged with speakers and mentors who shared personal insights on resilience and the nonlinear nature of success. Contributors included representatives from the Students Commission of Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Ontario Science Centre, BOLT, local entrepreneurs, and several community partners who helped bring authenticity and depth to the discussion. The event's structure promoted reflection and engagement. A keynote presentation, breakout sessions, a panel discussion, and a lively community resource fair provided youth with chances to learn, ask questions, and connect with organizations dedicated to supporting their educational, personal, and professional growth. "Creating spaces where students can see themselves reflected in post-secondary education is incredibly important," said Jessica Rumboldt, George Brown's Manager of Indigenous Initiatives. "Our Indigenous Initiatives and Black Student Success teams hosted a breakout session to highlight student voices, share lived experiences, and remind youth that there are many pathways to success they do not have to navigate those journeys alone," she noted, emphasizing the importance of representation and community within post-secondary spaces. Community organizations and entrepreneurs showcase possibility Beyond the formal programming, the conference featured a pop-up market and community resource fair highlighting both up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs and long-standing organizations working to empower the next generation. Start-up businesses showcased creative ventures ranging from fashion and beadwork to barbering and handmade artisanal work. Community agencies, including NPower, Friends of Ruby, the Nia Centre, the Aga Khan Museum, the Career Foundation, and many others, engaged participants in conversations about employment pathways, mental health supports, arts programs, skills training, and more. Honouring the diversity of journeys At its core, the conference celebrated the idea that no two paths are the same. Through stories of detours, challenges, discoveries, and resilience, young people were encouraged to recognize their own potential and view obstacles as opportunities for growth. The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre emphasized this perspective, noting, "Our teaching at the Youth Empowerment Conference prompted youth to reflect on what it means to live the good life Mino Bimaadiziwin and to define wellness and success for themselves rather than through society's normalized standards. Many urban Indigenous youth in our communities often experience a sense of disconnection from their culture, community, and traditional teachings. This created a space to explore and reconnect with their identities in ways that felt meaningful to them." Building a future together The day also underscored the transformative impact of community support, mentorship, and access to knowledge key elements that help shape a young person's future. "Young people today are navigating a world that can feel uncertain and overwhelming. The intention behind the conference was to help youth see that they have agency over their futures and do not have to have everything figured out. There is value in learning from challenges and making a career from their passions. Hosting the conference at George Brown provided students with an opportunity to see themselves in a setting that they may one day find themselves in on their pursuit to success," shared the WoodGreen Conference leadership team, Vanessa Wu and Erik Wexler. The success of the event highlighted what is possible when educational institutions, community organizations, and youth-serving agencies come together with a shared purpose. By bringing students, partners, and presenters into one space, the conference fostered an environment where youth felt seen, supported, and inspired and left reminded that their path forward is theirs to shape, backed by a community ready to walk alongside them. George Brown Polytechnic P.O. Box 1015, Station B Toronto Ontario Canada M5T 2T9
WoodGreen's project was awarded $4.94 million, with funds released in installments as development milestones are achieved.
Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) recently announced a collaboration with WoodGreen Community Services to bring more support to some women-led single parent households in TCHC buildings.
It's been just over a year since WoodGreen Community Services launched its UNMET campaign, an initiative with aims of addressing Toronto's most underserved needs and creating an equitable living experience for community members.