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 Day Treatment Child & Youth Worker supports the classroom teacher in helping clients to engage in the academic and therapeutic components of the program. There are 2 contract positions and multiple casual positions available. The contract period is September 2023 to June 2024.

Salary range:     $55,750 per annum to $64,921 per annum (Contract); 30.63/hr to 35.67/hr (Casual)

This position is represented by OPSEU local 567.

Please Note: There are multiple positions available. Please ensure you select the correct requisition that matches your intentions:

Position 01: Requisition #1466 – 2, 10-month contracts: September 2023 to June 2024

Position 02: Requisition #1467 – Casual positions

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

• 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

• Organize and schedule primary sessions with clients.
• Discuss the purpose of entering the program, goal-setting, and identify needs of the client.
• Observe client in classroom setting during the assessment period, provide observations and treatment recommendations to the multi-disciplinary team, communicate with parents.
• Participate, lead and/or collaborate in various monthly meetings, with the youth and/or Multi-Disciplinary Team according to a prescribed schedule.
• Facilitate daily treatment / life skills groups.
• Provide treatment-based skills coaching from a DBT framework.
• Complete file audits at discharge, and other designated times 
• Document daily expectations (i.e. Attendance taking (daily), Behaviour tracking sheets, Daily Logs, Diary cards, Attendance/ behaviour contracts).
• Create and document Safety plans (sometimes as part of a multi-disciplinary team) to help keep client safe in a crisis.  
• Provide a wide range of therapeutic interventions from supporting clients to engage in academics (reminders, redirections), to managing defiance and mental health / emotional crises.
• Be a main point of contact for parents/families, treatment team and community partners.
• Occasionally organize community outings, support clients in the community/homes, and accompany to appointments/hospital.
• Collaborate with colleagues/community partners to access other services to meet client needs.
• Provide training and supervision to college students (usually 3rd year) in the Child and Youth care program, to allow them to attain field training in the classroom environment and gain hands on experience to allow them to enter the workforce.

THE “MUST HAVES”

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

• College diploma in Child and Youth work (CYW) or Child and Youth Care (CYC)
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience.
• Knowledge of behaviour management principles and crisis management skills.
• Knowledge and experience facilitating mental health groups. 
• Experience working in a school environment
• 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.
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts.

THE ‘NICE TO HAVES’

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

• A valid Ontario Driver’s license and use of a vehicle
• Knowledge of Child and Youth, Family Service Act an asset.
• Knowledge of and certification in CPI and CPR / First Aid.
• Knowledge of and experience with DBT.
• Functional computer and client information system knowledge.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

BEFORE STARTING WITH US

As our work puts us in direct contact with young people and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Check before commencement of their employment. 

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 May 25, 2023 for the contract positions, and June 9, 2023 for the casual positions. 

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.