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

Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) is an evidence-based model that provides a framework for teaching children struggling with behaviour issues and their parents effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills. The primary goal of SNAP is to keep children in school and out of trouble by helping them make better choices "in the moment."

Reporting to the Clinical Supervisor, SNAP Clinical Program, we are looking for a Child Worker to join our SNAP Program, East Toronto. You will provide children's mental health services within your respective scope of practice to individuals, groups and families. You will develop a therapeutic relationship and genuine rapport with your clients, conduct assessments, and gain insights into their challenges and triggers. You will draw on our evidence-based programs to teach them skills in the way each child needs to learn. Working in close cooperation with families and community members, typically school-related, you will develop an understanding of the nuances of their experience and coach them on using new skills independently in different settings.

Who you are

You may be a new graduate or just starting in your career. You are looking for a place to channel your commitment to making a difference in the lives of children and youth. You want to leverage the expertise of a long-historied organization that operates at the cutting edge of evidence-based treatment for children, youth, and their families, a place where you will be supported in professional development and work-life balance.

You believe in meeting the needs of your clients in the best ways for them, designing and delivering programs that speak to them in ways they understand, and offering solutions that can be adopted and adapted. You are flexible in when, where and how you conduct client assessments. Whether in-office, in-home or in-school, you prioritize the comfort and needs of the children you work with. You are as comfortable sitting on the floor to engage younger clients in play as listening to a youth reluctantly share their experiences.

What's in it for you

Profound purpose. You want to play a critical role in developing a treatment plan. You want to be the steady hand and the calming presence; someone who is a champion for the well-being of clients and can bring forward their perspectives, introduce clarity, observe behaviour and identify interventions.

Growth as a CYW and as a compassionate human. You want to expand your knowledge, your skills, and your impact. You are open to learning our evidence-based practices and following our proven processes in CBT and other methodologies. You will gain insights and knowledge through interactions with Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and more. You will support practicum students if capacity demands.

As our new SNAP Child Worker, you will:

• Deliver children's mental health group interventions. Following the current SNAP program manuals, you will lead or co-lead SNAP Boys, SNAP Girls, and SNAP Parents. You will work alongside a Family Worker who oversees the intervention process. You will deliver children's mental health programs and services within your scope of practice as outlined in the client treatment plan, including individual child counselling, skills development, school support and advocacy, and service navigation. You will liaise, consult and coordinate with required internal and external professionals and community services to ensure effective clinical treatment.
• Actively participate in case management. You will participate in case management activities and attend case review meetings. You will assist with development planning, research activities and ongoing evaluation of services. You will provide limited follow-up service to discharged clients (e.g. support, service navigation, etc.).
• Maintain agency records as required. You will ensure that client documentation in CYSIS or SNAPiT is up to date. You will conduct, contribute to, and complete assessment reports, intervention plans, closing reports, pre- and post-measures, case notes, statistics and other documentation, as required by agency standards and the agency client information system. You will support the development of training programs and materials for other professionals and community groups.
• Support our mission. You will liaise with other CDI staff, including clinicians and experts in their field, to ensure appropriate communication, service coordination, and delivery for children, youth, and their families.

What you bring:

• The clinical knowledge. You have a certificate, diploma, or degree in Child and Youth Work and experience working with children, youth, families, and groups in a therapeutic or clinical setting. You have proven organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills required from a successful group and therapy leader; you uphold the confidentiality and security of client-related and agency information. You can effectively prioritize work in an environment of competing demands while achieving established benchmarks and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• The practical experience. You have worked with children and youth with mental health challenges. 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 are confident in your ability to draw on your clinical background to engage in supportive counselling and different mental health interventions, to step in and manage crisis situations and to empathize and connect with people.
• The communication skills. You have exceptional listening skills and mental attentiveness, able to focus on the needs of individuals or groups, to probe, analyze, synthesize, and create true connections and engagement. You embrace the opportunity to work with groups from diverse backgrounds and experiences and can adapt your written and verbal communication style to ensure transparency, authenticity, and understanding.
• The flexibility. You are comfortable growing into your role and delivering one-on-one, family-based, and group-based therapy sessions; you are flexible to work up to three evenings a week, facilitating group sessions and meeting with clients.
• The integrity. 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; and committed to providing the same to students and peers as requested.
• The utmost respect and love for children and youth. You can build genuine, trusting relationships with children, youth, young adult staff, and client families. You excel at coaching or training, providing constructive and positive feedback, supervising large and small groups, and evaluating individual and team performance.
• The confidence and the patience. You have education, training, or experience navigating high-risk, high-emotion situations. You are calm in the face of conflict or difficulty, have a truly positive demeanour and can engage people from diverse backgrounds in conversation and activities.
• 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 makes a genuine impact on 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: $57,977 per annum per year. This is a permanent unionized position under OPSEU.

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 background in child and youth services.
• An in-person interview with the Supervisor, Clinical SNAP program and an HR Representative where you will have an opportunity 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 [email protected].

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