Social Work Services
PCN Social Workers are professional problem solvers.
The PCN Social Work Service is available to support individuals presenting/dealing with abuse, neglect, self-neglect, unsafe environments, financial hardships, housing issues, social isolation, change in health conditions and/or difficulty navigating health and social services. PCN Social Workers are professional problem solvers who can help patients manage a variety of emotional and social concerns that impact their health and wellbeing. The team can work with individuals of all language backgrounds with support from Provincial Language Services.
Our Allied Health professionals can offer services in a variety of languages and have access to interpreter services in over 150 languages.
Eligibility
- Patient is attached to a Burnaby Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner
- All ages are welcome
- Patients not active with another Community Social Worker
Please speak with your Burnaby-based Primary Care Provider to see if you are eligible for this service.
Meet Our Social Workers
Aly Benes, BA, BSW
PCN Social Worker
Primary Neighbourhood: Edmonds
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Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Health Sciences
Experience: Aly comes to the Primary Care Network having worked in a variety of healthcare roles across Vancouver and the Fraser region. She has served as a Basics for Health Navigator at REACH Community Health Centre, a Mental Health Assistant at a methadone maintenance clinic and at an HIV and Hepatitis C clinic, a Social Worker at Surrey Memorial Hospital; and a Facilitator for adults with developmental disabilities at Community Living BC.
Fun Fact: She has travelled to South East Asia three times and will continue going back.
Nami Kim, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
PCN Social Worker
Primary Neighbourhood: Metrotown
Other Language: Korean
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Qualifications: Registered social worker with Bachelor’s in political science and social work and Master’s in social work
Experience: Nami has several years of experiences in working in mental health, substance use, homelessness, and family violence areas, providing client-centered, strength-based, anti-oppressive, and trauma informed approaches.
Fun Fact: Grew up in South Korea and immigrated to Vancouver in 2009. Enjoys camping, hiking, and paddle boarding.
Carmen Christiansen, RSW, BSW
PCN Social Worker
(ON LEAVE)
Primary Neighbourhood: Hastings-Brentwood
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Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Social Work degree
Experience: Carmen worked as a Family Worker with women and children fleeing abuse in the Downtown East Side; as a Child Case Worker at the Maples Adolescent Treatment Centre; and, as a Child Protection Social Worker at the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Before working at Fraser Health she worked with individuals with developmental disabilities at the Community Living British Columbia.
Fun Fact: Carmen has lived in Miyazaki City, Japan and Asuncion, Paraguay
Jeslin Romeo, BA (Psych), RSW
PCN Social Worker
(ON LEAVE)
Primary Neighbourhood: Metrotown
Other Language: Hindi
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Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is working towards a Master of Social Work.
Experience: Jeslin brings experience from multiple contexts, including her previous work as a Social Worker with Ridge Meadows Hospital (Fraser Health Authority) in acute and emergency care. Jeslin has also worked as a Child Protection Social Worker with The Vancouver Aboriginal & Family Services Society. Furthermore, Jeslin has worked in various field settings, including The Vancouver School Board, Family Services Society of BC, and the YMCA. Jeslin works from a client-centred, strength based, trauma-informed, psychosocial lens.
Fun Fact: Jeslin is a new mother to a beautiful 16-month old baby boy. When she is not working on supporting clients, she spends quality time with her family while engaging in various recreation activities in her community. Family is everything to Jeslin and she is excited to one day pass her knowledge of social work and community advocacy to her children.
Jessica Walker, BSW, MSW, RSW
PCN Social Worker
(ON LEAVE)
Primary Neighbourhood: All of Burnaby
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Qualifications: Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work
Experience: Jessica comes to Primary Care after an extensive history working in acute and emergency care in Fraser Health and has expertise supporting clients that have experienced recent trauma and violence. Jessica previously also worked in the fields of housing, addictions, spiritual care, and street outreach.
Fun Fact: Jessica is a member of the LGBTQ2SA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Two Spirit, Asexual) Community and is passionate about supporting clients from an anti-oppressive social justice framework. Jessica uses both She/Her and They/Them pronouns and identifies as Queer.