Land Acknowledgement

Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is situated on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, who have been the traditional caretakers of this land for thousands of years. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and Peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.

Organizational Overview

Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is a registered charity that provides a range of services to children, youth and families, who have experienced abuse or violence, within the City of Toronto. We provide individual, group, family and community services that include trauma counselling, advocacy and support services during child abuse investigations, court support and accompaniment services and abuse and violence prevention materials and trainings.  Boost CYAC is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, an independent non-profit organization that offers accreditation specifically tailored to community-based health and social services across Canada.

Position Description

We are looking for a Child & Youth Advocate to provide support and advocacy to clients when they attend Boost CYAC for a child abuse investigation and when they need to testify in a criminal court proceeding. This is not a clinical or therapy based role; however, you will need a strong understanding of crisis intervention and case management. You will collaborate with police, child protection agencies, counsellors, medical professionals, crown attorneys and victim services professionals to provide a holistic service to the children, youth and their supportive families who attend the CYAC and are involved in the criminal justice system.

The Child & Youth Advocate must be comfortable working closely with onsite facility dogs and participating in specialized facility dog handler training.

Qualifications/Skills:

• A BSW or equivalent degree or diploma preferably in the field of social work, child & youth care social services, etc.
• A minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience, preferably working directly with victims of violence, abuse and trauma.
• Ability to meet the needs of a diverse client base, through knowledge of and application of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist and cultural competency practices.
• Sound knowledge of the Child & Youth Advocacy Model and direct experience collaborating with teams of multidisciplinary professionals and community partners.
• Awareness of the variety of different types of trauma (e.g., sexual, physical) and trauma-experiences (e.g., race and gender-based trauma) that may be experienced by children, youth and families.
• Ability to respond to crisis situations, screen for suicidality or other high risk concerns and develop safety plans.
• Sound knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, the Criminal Justice System, critical issues facing child/youth witness in criminal court proceedings and the various testimonial aids available to child witnesses.
• The ability to employ self-care strategies and maintain a positive attitude in relation to potentially stressful situations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficient computer skills and experience with client databases and electronic health records
• Demonstrated flexibility, judgement, initiative, confidentiality and a strong work ethic.
• Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Screening process.

Responsibilities:

At the time of and following the investigation:

• Provide support and education to children, youth and their families who attend Boost CYAC for an investigative interview.
• Greet families upon arrival at the centre, provide tour of the facilities and share information on processes and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) members’ roles.
• Be available to families for on-site and virtual check-in’s to answer questions about the process as they interact with various systems (e.g., police, child welfare, Criminal Justice, Victim Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), mental health services, school, housing).
• Provide crisis intervention, in collaboration and consultation with the MDT, when significant safety concerns and/or mental health risks are identified.
• Assist families in developing a system of support with extended family, friends, and community services/organization. Facilitate referrals to appropriate services within Boost CYAC and/or social service organizations in the community, as appropriate.
• Collaborate with various members of the MDT regularly to plan, consult and advocate for clients.

Prior to and during the criminal court proceedings:

• Provide individual court preparation session(s), with a focus on discussing fears, concerns and questions about going to court, discussing strategies to mitigate identified fears and concerns, providing information and answering questions about the criminal justice system, explaining the court process and the roles within it, and providing information about the child or youth’s role as a witness in criminal court proceedings.
• Liaise with Crown Attorney’s, Victim Witness Assistance Program, police and child protection staff to advocate for child witnesses, particularly with respect to testimonial aids and court support services.
• Conduct assessments on issues regarding children’s testimonial competency and the need for special accommodations (e.g., closed-circuit TV, remote testimony), when requested by the court.
• Provide support to children and youth by accompanying them to court and/or acting as a Designated Support Person, if required.
• Provide support to caregivers with a child/youth who is testifying in court, and provide guidance in supporting their child/youth throughout the process.
• Provide post court support including debrief meetings, assistance completing Victim Impact Statements and referrals for ongoing counselling and support services, when appropriate.
• Support families in making applications to the Victim Quick Response+ Program, as required.

Additional Information

Address            

245 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 201, Toronto ON M4P 3B7

Work Schedule

Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week: 9am – 5pm and 12pm – 8pm shifts on a rotating basis

Work in office and in the community, primarily at Toronto based courthouses.

This is not a fully remote role; however, staff are eligible for work from home days.  

Benefits

Health Spending Account, Employee & Family Assistance Program, 3 weeks vacation, paid sick leave, personal obligation days.

Boost CYAC is and equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals including applicants from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Boost CYAC believes that vaccination is a key element in the protection of our clients, families, employees, students, volunteers and contractors against COVID-19. As a condition of employment, proof of full vaccination or exemption under the Ontario Human Rights Code must be submitted to Human Resources seven (7) calendar days prior to start date.

Boost CYAC is committed to providing accommodation in all aspects of the recruitment and hiring process under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).  The Manager of Human Resources will work with applicants to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and hiring process.