Who we are

Children are at the front and centre of what we do; they are the foundation of our purpose and the basis for our evidence-driven strategy. Our mission is to transform the lives of children, youth and their families by developing and delivering innovative, research-based mental health and early learning programs. At the Child Development Institute (CDI), we are passionate about helping our communities’ most vulnerable members and their caregivers. It motivates each of us to face what can be difficult situations while continuously finding the purest joy in play, in silence, in advice, and in the unbelievable strength and resilience of our young clients. Joining us now is a rewarding opportunity to be part of an organization that is built on a legacy of more than 100 years of helping children and families. 

Recognized as a leader and model for measurement-based impact, we are client-centred, family-centred, and data-informed. We are a place where professionals grounded in mental health, care, and well-being of infants, children and youth, come together in collaboration, learning and inclusion. As a multiservice organization delivering social, emotional, and behavioural counselling services, early childhood education, learning disabilities and mental health services, and family violence services, we address the whole person from when they begin their life. Every child and family that reaches out to us is unique, and we value and embrace their individuality. We deliver the tailored support and tools they need to build life-long skills, positive mental health, and resilience. With their trust in us, we guide children and families along a supportive journey. It is an often difficult path and simultaneously the most rewarding experience for providers, children and families.

Who we need

Making the decision to pick up the phone and ask for help for your child is daunting. At the other end of the line, providing hope to families seeking access to services, are the CDI Intake Workers. This critical role, is a first point of contact, responding to inquiries by phone and prioritizing needs.

Right now, we are seeking an Intake Worker to join us for a six-month contract. Operating autonomously and drawing on your Child and Youth Worker background, as well as a deep understanding of the different programs CDI offers, you will triage initial calls, assess the child, youth, or family situation, and recommend programs. You will be the entry point for clients seeking proven, measurement-based programs that have set a high standard for unique and effective individual and group services. 

This is a 35-hour weekly on-site, daytime position, working M-F.

Who you are

You are a Child and Youth Worker with experience working with caregivers. You are empathetic and have exceptional communication skills. You are looking for a place to apply your insights and focus on connecting families with the programs their children need. 

What's in it for you

Profound purpose. You want to channel your commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and youth. While this may be a short-term contract to you, to the families you help, the sighs of relief, the expressions of gratitude, and the feelings of hope will demonstrate the depth of your impact. 

Growth as a CYW and as a compassionate human. You want to expand your knowledge and your skills. You want to make a difference, removing barriers to support and services and navigating processes to facilitate access. You will gain experience and exposure at a long-historied organization that operates at the cutting edge of evidence-based practice, and you will have the opportunity to apply for longer-term or permanent CYW roles as they arise.

As our new Intake Worker, you will:

• Assess needs. You will respond to initial calls and inquiries for all CDI programs. You will triage and assess the family or individual situation and determine the need to prioritize access or refer to external or crisis services. 
• Adhere to the process. You will complete documentation, summarize critical issues and needs and direct them to appropriate programs. You will contact families on assigned program waitlists in accordance with our policy. 
• Collaborate. You will assist with maintaining an excellent knowledge base of community resources for children, youth and families.
• Coordinate. You will liaise with internal staff as well as community partners to navigate and facilitate the referral process between programs, including the transfer of information.
• Prioritize quality. You will meet and exceed our professional standards, work within our vision, mission, values and goals and recommend process improvements to increase intake efficiency. 

What you bring:

• The knowledge. You have a Child & Youth Work diploma and experience working with children, youth and parents, ideally within children’s mental health. You have an understanding of child development, child/youth mental health, family functioning, parenting issues and trauma, including child abuse and family violence. You may be familiar with our programs and the community resources we work with. You have experience using intake screening tools and skills in initial triage and preliminary assessment, including identifying immediate mental health risks.
• The ownership. You can work in a highly distractible environment with sensitivity to the uniqueness and demands of a public service agency, handling interruptions that require constant refocusing. You can effectively handle a variety of inquiries from a range of stakeholders and provide timely, appropriate responses.
• The integrity. You are calm in the face of conflict or difficulty and have a truly positive demeanour. You are confident in your ability to empathize and connect with people and manage stressful situations with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism at all times. You are a dedicated and supportive team player. You have high standards of accountability and prioritize professionalism and respect. You are open to feedback and coaching.
• The communication skills. You have exceptional listening skills and mental attentiveness, able to focus on the needs of individuals and build trust over the phone to obtain and relay critical information. You embrace the opportunity to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences and can adapt your communication style to ensure transparency, authenticity, and understanding.
• The desire to make a difference. You are interested in what we do and how we do it; you want to play a vital role in creating and fostering a positive experience with measurable outcomes that genuinely impact the lives of your clients and the people they interact with.

Other requirements

• All applicants are advised that offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check.
• Credential verifications and references are required.

Compensation: This is a unionized position under CUPE paying $68,615 per annum and pro-rated based on the length of the contract.

Join us.

Fostering positive transformations in mental health for over a century, CDI is a world-class leader trusted in helping children, youth and families through a wide range of evidence-informed services to build lasting change.

At CDI, we prioritize the mental well-being and work-life balance of our teams. We acknowledge the reality of the emotionally demanding work each of us puts in every day. To that end, we strive to create a collaborative, diverse, inclusive, and equitable space where creativity flourish by offering:

• Flexible hours in a planned program environment.
• A focus on cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities. 

If you want to be part of our vision to make a measurable lifelong impact on the mental health and well-being of children, youth and their families, join us.

Apply now

If you're excited about this role but your experience aligns differently with every requirement, we encourage you to apply. While specific qualifications are strictly required, others can be based on various experiences, backgrounds, and knowledge. We can't promise an interview, but we will consider your whole application. 

What you can expect from our interview process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will discuss your interest in the role and your education and experience in child and youth services.
• An in-person interview with the Program Supervisor and an HR Representative to further expand on your knowledge and experience as well as ask follow up questions on the role.

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas. We are committed to providing equitable opportunities in employment and to providing a workplace which is free from discrimination and harassment. We are equally committed to providing an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you require accommodations, please reach out to us at .