Simran Nakra

I am a Registered Social Worker with extensive experience in case management, clinical assessments, crisis intervention, managing behaviours, and psycho-social support. My experience also includes educating clients on community resources and employing holistic care modalities.

Integrated Ontario Works Wraparound Caseworker at The Regional Municipality of York (2024-08 – Present)

• Encourages client engagement through conversations, interviews and assessments
• Connects clients to community resources to target several domains such as employment readiness, food security, affordable housing, mental health, transportation services and various other life and health aspects
• Empathizes with culturally specific needs of each client to ensure effective and respectful service to those within the program
• Develops specific action plans to highlight needs, goals and referrals to ensure accordance with legislative policies and compliance
• Creates a safe space for clients to discuss barriers and feel supported and held accountable for goals by conversing on a routine basis
• Maintains direct case management of over 175 clients

Social Worker at Villa Colombo Vaughan (2021-11 – 2024-08)

• Person and Family Centered Care Champion – developed the "Pre-Admission Questionnaire" to incorporate a holistic assessment to include all aspects of a resident's life such as traumas, triggers, likes, dislikes and care goals
• Palliative and End of Life Care Champion – initiated several impactful projects: Palliative Playbook, leading the Palliative Care Committee, "Goals of Care" handout, several support groups including religious and ethical care
• Collaborate with Ontario Health to facilitate smooth admissions and transfers
• Conducted psychosocial assessments – MMSE, MoCA, BSS, BDI, PHQ and GAD-7
• Behaviour Supports Lead – collaborating with community supports such as Baycrest, CMHA, Mackenzie Health and psycho-geriatricians to address responsive behaviours
• Led Family Council on a monthly basis – caregiver and grief support, addressing burnout
• Hosted support groups (open to all members of York Region) – transition to LTC, healing with prayer, goal-orientated recovery, information sessions on Alzheimer's / Dementia
• Conducted quarterly reviews of all care plans – engaging residents and families to develop goals and vocalize their care requirements and case conferencing
• Supervised Social Work and Social Service Work students
• Presented at the Universal Care BPSO Symposium in 2022 and 2023
• Maintained direct case management of over 160 clients

Social Worker at PsyMood (2021-04 – 2023-10)

• Specialized in addressing depression, anxiety, trauma and various mental wellness concerns
• Provided support for developmental delays, burnout, borderline psychotic and neurocognitive disorders
• Developed unique action plans tailored to individual needs
• Offered knowledge of community-based resources for comprehensive support

Social Worker at Sienna Senior Living – Woodbridge Vista Care Community (2020-08 – 2021-11)

• Collaborated with Ontario Health for admissions and transfers (220 bed LTC)
• Maintained therapeutic relationships within the home - family counselling, mediation between caregivers, Family Intervention Therapy
• Led Resident and Family Council on a monthly basis
• Provided education on community resource on various topics: crisis management, responsive behaviours, early-onset Alzheimer's and Dementia, Palliative and EOL care, bereavement, transition to LTC, caregiver burnout, addressing mental wellness concerns
• Providing education on legal aspects of Consent, Capacity Board and Powers of Attorney
• Collaborated with the Behaviours Support Lead - recognizing triggers, creating unique care plans and interventions as required
• Review of all care plans on a quarterly basis to ensure client engagement and most up to date care needs, goals and referrals are in place – 220 client capacity

Social Worker – Practicum at Sienna Senior Living - Tullamore Care Community (2019-09 – 2020-04)

• Conducted tours of the home for interested residents and families while answering all inquiries related to LTC
• Created strong rapports with residents - use of counselling and crisis management support with respect to fluctuating moods, development delays, anger management, substance-abuse disorders and other mental wellness concerns
• Conducted psychosocial assessments - MMSE and MoCA
• Assisted in creating admission packages, completing admission paperwork and supporting a smooth transition

Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) – York University

Registration in good standing – Ontario College of Social Workers & Social Service Workers