CharityVillage

ABOUT US

Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency providing a wide range of exceptional programs and services that improve the mental, social and physical health of infants, children and youth from the pre-natal stage to age 29, and their families. With a range of community, residential and treatment services, we build strength and resilience through equitable, accessible, client-driven services, system leadership and advocacy. We provide individual, group and family interventions that include mental health counselling, autism services, education, outreach and referral, early intervention, day treatment and community support. In its Lead Agency role, Strides Toronto collaborates with 23 publicly funded infant, child and youth mental health (ICYMH) core service providers to design and implement system-level improvements that promote access, responsive service delivery and experience, and positive mental health outcomes for young people and families across Toronto's diverse communities. To learn more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to visit our website at www.stridestoronto.ca

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Service Navigator 2 - Complex Clients is a full-time permanent position that provides service planning, navigation and brief supportive counselling to children and youth experiencing complex mental health concerns, and their families, to ensure infants, children and youth move in through and out of publicly funded mental health services in a timely and seamless manner.

Salary range: $63,071.00 to $73,447.00 per annum

                        Competitive Group Health Benefits, Defined Contribution Pension plan 

                        This position is represented by OPSEU local 567

                        This is a full-time permanent position

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM? 

• We provide a hybrid work model and competitive Group Health Benefits and Pension Plan. 
• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our diverse team members and clients can thrive.
• We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Connect with the child/ youth and family to obtain information, match to potential services, and support client in determining service plan to address mental health concerns.
• Conduct semi-structured interview with child/ youth and family to understand mental health concerns and service needs fully and family context and history.
• Collect information about strengths, service needs, risks, and related matters using established and/ or standardized assessment tools.
• Match client to services that meet mental health concerns, support informed decision-making, and make referrals to identified programs.
• Provide information to client and family on program matches and engage in service planning and decision making to address needs.
• Utilize tools and make contact with potential programs as necessary to ascertain program availability and waiting time, if any, for treatment.
• Be knowledgeable about ICYMH programs and service providers in Toronto to facilitate high quality service navigation.
• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with stakeholders and service providers to ensure the needs and goals of the youth and families are priority.
• Facilitate service planning with community partners about referrals for complex clients which are directed to the Children’s Service System Review and Consultation (CSSRC) and STEPS Residential Enhancement Fund. Coordinate supports and financial resources to meet client needs.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation in client information system(s) in accordance with guidelines, organizational and accreditation standards.

THE “MUST HAVES”

The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of   Social Work (MSW), or other Mental Health related discipline is required (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Minimum of three years of related experience.
• Must be registered and in good standing with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as a Social Worker or the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO).
• Excellent clinical assessment, formulation and treatment planning skills is essential.
• Experience with providing a broad range of clinical services and demonstrated effective work with a child and adolescent population who present a variety of clinically challenging issues.
• Extensive knowledge of mental health disorders and diagnoses.
• Familiarity with and exposure to the Diagnostic and Statistical manual.
• Crisis Intervention and Management Training.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following: 

• Ability, ease, and comfort in engaging and coordinating cross sectoral teams when necessary.
• A multi-systemic approach to working with families.
• Extensive knowledge of other services within Child and Youth Mental Health sector and knowledge of community resources.
• Customer service orientation and strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of mental health sector, particularly in Toronto.
• Cultural sensitivity and an openness to consulting with and bringing in relevant cultural supports as/ when needed.
• Able to work collaboratively and model that collaboration in interactions with service providers.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.
• Awareness of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• An understanding of Anti-Black Racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health when working with clients and their families. 
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of and imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts for the client.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:

• A Vulnerable Sector police check.
• A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with Strides Toronto.  The Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of making a decision on suitability for employment in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.  

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is March 25, 2025. 

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.  Strides Toronto is a participant in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, a program which challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples to  increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.  

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.