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 our work helps to strengthen social and emotional well-being, for culturally diverse clients to move forward through adversity and develop abilities and skills to reach their full potential.  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. To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit our website at www.stridestoronto.ca.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Individual and Family Support Worker is a full-time permanent position that provides a range of therapeutic interventions relating to behaviour management, family stabilization, parent-child conflict resolution, and service coordination/case management in the context of flexible service delivery to reduce barriers to service and accommodate client needs. The Individual and Family Worker engages in assessment of needs, behavioural coaching (parent / client) and supportive counseling to support mental health and functioning where psychotherapy is not deemed appropriate, or client is not ready to engage in intensive therapy.

Salary range:     $54,926 to $63,962 per annum

Benefits:             Competitive Group Health Benefits, Retirement Savings Plan.

Other:                 This role is a part of the OPSEU Local 567 bargaining unit. 

                            There are 2 positions available. 

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We have a diverse and inclusive work environment with staff who speak multiple languages and dialects.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our team members and clients can thrive.
• 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

• Provide direct supportive coaching / counselling to parents and clients presenting with mental health concerns through psychotherapeutic groups, dyads or individual family sessions and parent coaching in accordance with agency standards to support improved behavioural presentation and family stabilization.
• Provide consultation, training and support to community partner agencies and inter-agency programs requesting input mental health issues.
• Provide parent coaching and supportive counselling with children and youth.
• Develop and implement plan of cares, and to ensure that service including admission/reason for referral and discharge planning is delivered in a clinically appropriate, coordinated, and timely fashion.
• Consult, collaborate and coordinate with community organizations / service providers to support assessment, service planning and implementation.
• Complete initial assessment, ongoing treatment reviews, group reports, end of service and discharge reports and discharge summaries when necessary.
• Incorporate and integrate ongoing learning, and evidence-based/informed practices to enhance quality clinical work.
• Provide service to families in- office, in-home and in- community.

THE “MUST HAVES”

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

• 3-year Community College Diploma in Child and Youth Worker program, Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth care, or Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field
• Registration in good standing with a relevant association (where applicable) 
• 2 years of child and youth mental health experience including provision of supportive counselling, parent coaching, behaviour management and consultation / liaising with other professionals.
• Experience working with children, youth and families with Child Welfare involvement
• 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.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

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

• Sound knowledge of theoretical models and evidenced based clinical interventions in working with infants, children, and families with specialized mental health needs.
• Parent Child Interaction Assessment (PCIA) and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) trained
• Knowledge of the cultural diversity of communities served by the agency.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

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:

• Full vaccination against COVID-19 or have received an exemption from the organization’s policy.
• A Vulnerable Sector police check.

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 June 24, 2022.

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 range of cultures represented in the communities we serve.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights, 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.