Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Forensic Early Intervention Service (FEIS) South Detention Centre
Year 2 Practicum
September 2025-April 2026
Please provide a description of the practicum site and student activities:
The CAMH Forensic Early Intervention Service is located within the Toronto South Detention Centre (not CAMH). The FEIS team is a partnership between the Ministry of the Solicitor General (correctional services) and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The primary activities would be to provide assessment and triage of clients referred to the service by TSDC healthcare staff. While many clients are referred to the service, clients are accepted to the program if they have concerns related to fitness to stand trial or a Not Criminally Responsible (NCR) legal pathway. The FEIS team provides case management, mental health monitoring and discharge planning to clients accepted to the program.
Practicum Requirements:
☒ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☒ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☒ Covid Vaccinations
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check;
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
Other requirements: In addition to the Vulnerable Sectors Check, an Enhanced Security Clearance is required. This may take a while to complete. Therefore, students are encouraged to start this process following their initial interview with their prospective supervisors. Students will not be able to start their placement without this clearance.
Fields(s) of this Practicum:
☒ Mental Health and Health
Does your practicum require any previous experience? If yes, please specify.
Previous knowledge and/or experience with Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, as well as knowledge of commonly used street substances is an asset.
Please indicate whether this practicum will be in-person, remote or hybrid.
In-person in a correctional facility. Not CAMH main site.
Please indicate whether this practicum will involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect.
Direct
Number of practicums offered? 1
Field Instructor(s’) name and credentials:
Shared practicum with Narot Kabasakal, MSW, RSW and Ashley Haywood, MSW, RSW.
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Medium
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? High
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? No
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? Lots of bending and squats to speak with clients in their jail cells on the unit.
- Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of? NA
Students registered with University of Toronto Accessibility Services may receive appropriate accommodations for practicum settings. To register: https://studentlife.utoronto.ca/department/accessibility-services/ or call 416-978-8060
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to leah.potash@utoronto.ca , by Apr. 4th, 2025. Applications will be forwarded on to the site.