Gary Johnston
Barrie,Ontario
Summary
Strong management skills and knowledge of strategic relationship building, career development, training, performance management, positive engagement, and conflict resolution. Leadership in diplomacy in matters of staff management, cultural awareness, and workforce planning within an operational environment. Acted as a liaison to communicate between staff, management, and stakeholders
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Indigenous Specialist/Crisis Worker
Canadian Mental Health Association
05.2022 - Current
- Reports to the Program Manager and Clinical Lead and the Mobile Crisis Worker will work within the context of CMHA’s mission and strategic directions
- Exercise sound judgement to employ de-escalation strategies and provide suicide and risk assessments and interventions
- Have excellent clinical assessment skills to develop safety and support plans to address immediate, intermediate and long-range needs, case management reports to Input Health, Mental Status Exam-MSE, CTRS- Crisis Triage Rating Scale, C-SSRS-Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale
- Advocating, supporting, communicating with service users who are in crisis
- Working with 911 & 211 Emergency Services with Police, Fire and EMS Services
- Liaisons with Physicians, Nurses and other Emergency Medical staff in various hospitals in the Triage Departments
- Part of a multi-disciplinary Mobile Crisis Response Team-Emergency Services which will provide crisis response 24 hours a day, 7 hours a week
- Multidisciplinary team of community crisis specialists that includes nurses, peer specialists, mental health clinicians, and concurrent disorders specialists and Indigenous specialists that have experience working with marginalized communities.
- Incorporate experiences in crisis assessment and intervention, de-escalation, harm reduction, suicide prevention, anti-oppressive practice, client-centered and recovery-oriented care, trauma-informed care, and culturally competent care that includes holistic healing
- Crisis Counseling & Support individuals and families experiencing a crisis in the northwest area of Toronto
- Practice and promote anti-racism and anti-oppression principles and provides trauma informed care
- Participate in community outreach and liaison with key stakeholders and partners and maintain trusting, respectful and collaborative relationships with clients, families, colleagues, referral sources, service providers and the public
- Create culturally-specific treatment plans, coordinate support for individuals that may include coordination of culturally-specific support and related services that reduces harm through harm reduction
- Expertise in coordinating, organizing, group facilitation by training groups and individuals
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical and non-clinical records and actively participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating the Northwest Toronto Community Crisis Service through meetings and through on-going training
- On going trainings and meeting with other partners and stakeholders
- Working 12 hour shifts weekday-day or night shifts including weekends
Peer Support Worker/Harm Reduction Specialist
The Krasman Centre
10.2022 - Current
- Maintain a safe welcoming space for peers visiting the Drop-In Centre, using the Comfort Agreement, Peer Values and relevant Policies and Procedures
- Maintain the physical Drop-In Centre by using the appropriate procedures and personal protective equipment
- Collaborative programming and submit regular reports to Team Lead/Operations Manager
- Attend internal staff meetings and staff training as required
- Build rapport and provide basic needs support and harm reduction supplies as needed
- Maintain the confidentiality of all visitors and agency information at all times
- Act as the point of contact for the Wellness Collaborative in the areas of North York West
- Educate and empower individuals impacted by substance use and addiction to make informed decision about theirs and their loved ones’ substance use
- Collaborate with the Wellness Collaborative team and attend regular meetings to help with the promotion and implementation of programs that empower, educate and connect individuals impacted by addiction
- Compile basic data about the individuals and groups they’ve engaged through Wellness
- Participate in public education, outreach functions and activities and public relations marketing opportunities as designated by respective program leads
- Practice and promote anti-racism and anti-oppression principles
- Collaborate with and offer access to information on advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, crisis planning and prevention and empowerment tools
- Attend internal staff meetings and staff training as required
- Be available during non-traditional hours including some evenings, weekends and holidays
Native Inmate Liaison Worker (NILO)
Central North Correctional Centre
08.2021 - 11.2021
- Completed NILO Programming Intake form(s) on all Indigenous & Non-Indigenous offenders, record all client contact information on the NILO client contact sheet and submit monthly statistics on the NILO Statistics Form
- Assisted correctional officers, management, and administration in the development and awareness of of the NILO program through the indigenous culture, teachings, practices, and philosophies by facilitation, and training sessions to staff as per request by the institution
- Interviewed inmates upon admission to inform them of programs and services available
- Prepared and submitted regular reports and statistics pertaining to programs, activities and clients
- Planned, organized and facilitated Indigenous Programs and activities on a regular basis, providing an itinerary of events as requested by the institution
- Attended and participated in meetings at the institution such as staff meetings, case conferences, program committee meetings, temporary absence committee meetings and other meetings as requested
- Assisted indigenous inmates with the development and verification of Temporary Absence plans for work, education or treatment etc
- Acted as a liaison between Justice of the Peace, Lawyers, Police Officers, Indigenous clients, Probation and Parole Services, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers, Court workers and other service providers, partners and stakeholders
- Facilitated online communication meetings between indigenous inmates, their families, institutional staff and other agencies
- Assisted with the development of discharge plans for indigenous inmates
Client Services Worker
Oneida Employment & Training Services
09.2019 - 07.2020
- Represented the Employment & Training Agency of Oneida FN
- Supervised and Managed the Adult GED program under Oneida Employment & Training Program
- Acted as a Liaison, with the Gateway to Learning teachers, worked with Case managers of Ontario Works, receiving referrals from Case managers of Ontario Works
- Community Engagement & Interacted with the public, attended job fairs, staff meetings and general meetings
- Had Monthly General meetings with Chief & Council of Oneida First Nation
- Client Services Worker works with other team members to manage client intake, assist with records management, reporting and communication as required
- Coached and provided mentorship to employment & training clients and GED students
- Managed and developed financial records and software under Word & Excel
- Labour Market Information, Labour market trends and Resource Development
- Barriers to Employment, Employment counseling and referral services,
- Scheduled GED tests with the Head office and GED Testing Coordinator in Toronto and Fanshawe College. Assisted & Scheduled tests for new students
Housing First Case Manager
BRAWC
10.2019 - 02.2020
- Direct Service Users who have experienced chronic homelessness at a high level of acuity in the areas of, but not limited to
- Provided community-based case management to individuals and families
- Independent living skills, housing stabilization, financial management, community integration,
- Employment linkages, and community connection
- Completed SPDAT-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool assessments to assess acuity and determine appropriate supports as required
- Engagement of community partners to coordinate case management with a focus on providing supports
- Acted as a support and liaison for individuals and families as appropriate
- Provided supports and advocacy to clients
- Assisted in development, implementation and revision of support plans; monitoring progress toward identified goals; working with participants on a day-to-day basis
- Provided crisis support through case management for individuals and their families
- Participated in weekly staff meetings and worked closely with Executive Director
- Attended and participated in community based committees and advisory groups; ie: Situation Table, Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness
- Transported Direct Service Users to their medical appointments, probation appointments, grocery shopping
Community Outreach Worker
Youth Employment Services
04.2001 - 09.2001
- Community Outreach Workers and Outreach Coordinator determined youth homelessness existed in the city of Thunder Bay by conducting and providing local outreach and engagement services to youth between 16 and 24 years of age in the 6 month initiative
- Funded by HRDC-Human Resources Development Canada
- Proficient in various computer applications
- Community Engagement within city of Thunder Bay
- City Hall meetings with Mayor and City Council of Thunder Bay
- Community Engagement meetings with Thunder Bay Police Services, Thunder Bay Fire and EMS Services
- Proposal Writing, documentation and other administrative duties
- Assisted in the creation and development of the Final report was created at the end of 6 month contract to create Youth Shelter
- Partnered with Canadian Mental Health Association, Children's Aid Society, Salvation Army,Thunder Bay Shelter, YES Employment Services, and, Thunder Bay Police.
Manager of Operations
765 Bar And Grill & The Grinning Gator
- Streamlined operational processes by implementing efficient workflow management strategies.
- Improved customer satisfaction ratings by ensuring prompt resolution of issues and concerns.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion and timely delivery.
- Developed strong relationships with suppliers, resulting in reduced costs and better quality products.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing effective training programs and performance management systems.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations, maintaining a safe working environment for staff members.
- Oversaw facility maintenance activities to ensure optimal performance of equipment and infrastructure elements.
- Successfully managed budgets, consistently meeting financial targets while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, promoting professional growth opportunities through coaching methods.
- Mentored junior team members in their career progression pathing endeavors towards managerial roles within the company structure framework.
Supervisor
PIC Group Inc
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Streamlined operations for increased efficiency through regular process reviews and implementing necessary changes.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.
- Improved customer satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
Data Analyst Supervisor
RMG Marketing Group
- Improved data accuracy by implementing stringent quality control measures and regular audits.
- Streamlined data analysis processes for faster decision-making and more accurate insights.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing ongoing training and performance feedback to data analysts.
- Developed automated reporting systems, reducing manual workload and increasing efficiency.
Education
Police Foundations
Lambton College of Applied Arts And Technology
Sarnia, ONHigh School Diploma -
Sarnia Adult Learning Centre
Sarnia, ONSkills
- Attention to Detail
- Customer Service
- Change Management
- Vendor Relations
- Staff Training
- Financial Reporting
- Project Management
- Time Management
- Team Leadership
- Risk Management
- Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
Certification
- ASIST Training Certification-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation-HCP Life Saving Society Basic Life Support Certification
- Standard First Aid/CPR AED Level C Blended
- CPI Crisis Intervention Training
- WHIMIS Certification
- Trauma Fundamentals Certificate
- Ontario Ministry of Labour Certificate of Completion
- CTRS-Crisis Triage Rating Scale Training
- Columbia-Suicide Severity Risk Score Assessment Training
- Harm Reduction and Substance Use in Community Crisis Work
- Motivational Interviewing Training
- Mental Status Exam Assessment
- AODA Accessible Customer Service
- Worker Health and Safety Awareness Certificate
- Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications such as Teams, Outlook, Excel, Webex, IOS, Android, Zoom and Google applications
- Security Guard License & Security Guard Training
- Universal Tactical Training
- Use of Force Training
Timeline
Peer Support Worker/Harm Reduction Specialist
The Krasman Centre
10.2022 - Current
Indigenous Specialist/Crisis Worker
Canadian Mental Health Association
05.2022 - Current
Native Inmate Liaison Worker (NILO)
Central North Correctional Centre
08.2021 - 11.2021
Housing First Case Manager
BRAWC
10.2019 - 02.2020
Client Services Worker
Oneida Employment & Training Services
09.2019 - 07.2020
Community Outreach Worker
Youth Employment Services
04.2001 - 09.2001
Manager of Operations
765 Bar And Grill & The Grinning Gator
Supervisor
PIC Group Inc
Data Analyst Supervisor
RMG Marketing Group
Police Foundations
Lambton College of Applied Arts And Technology
High School Diploma -
Sarnia Adult Learning Centre
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