Mental Health Lead

Position:  Mental Health Lead

Work Location:  Regional Student Services (Education Centre - Newmarket, Centre for Leadership and Learning, 300 Harry Walker Parkway South, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8E2)

Work Schedule:  35 hours/week (permanent, 12 months)

Application Deadline: July 25, 2018

Thank you for your interest in the Mental Health Lead position with the York Region District School Board.  The Mental Health Lead plays a vital role in meeting the board’s commitments under the Mental Health and Addictions Strategy, the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being and The Directors Annual Plan.  The Mental Health Lead will work with all levels of system stakeholders, including system portfolio leaders, school administrators and staff, students, parents and community partners to fulfill the strategies’ goals.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use clinical expertise to work within the School Mental Health ASSIST framework to inform and steer the implementation of a district wide Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions Strategy in alignment with the Board Improvement Plan for Student Achievement and Well-Being and the Director’s Annual Plan.
• Chair the Mental Health and Well-Being Advisory Committee and chair or support its subcommittees, and other board or community committees related to child and youth mental health to help increase coordination.
• Liaise, participate in and implement all Ministry of Education expectations for Mental Health Leaders related to School Mental Health ASSIST including;

• attending Ministry and regional level meetings,
• submission of reports as required throughout the year on project activities and findings,
• contribute to knowledge exchange with Mental Health Leaders from other districts on Ontario, and
• receive Ministry information and requests and share with board stakeholders.

• Provide system direction in Mental Health and Wellness promotion, education, initiatives, resources, policies and procedures, including;

• Demonstrate leadership in the development and delivery of capacity building focused on addressing student mental health and addictions needs in coordination with system stakeholders (e.g. Equity, Inclusive Schools and Community Services, Indigenous, Curriculum, Caring and Safe Schools, Wellness Coordinator),
• Provide support and guidance to school staff and parents regarding the implementation of social/emotional or well-being programming which impact on students’ success and well-being, and
• Formulate strong working relationships with all Student Services staff.

• Develop and maintain relationships with children’s mental health agencies, community organizations, social agencies and professional bodies to ensure:

• Community integration with the Child and Youth Mental Health and Addictions Strategy,
• Representation of the York Region District School Board on community-based partnerships, initiatives, forums and collaboratives related to students’ mental health and well-being, and
• Effective partnership/protocol development and service delivery in alignment with board policy and procedure, and Ministry funding initiatives. 

• Provide staff supervision, orientation/training, and staff performance appraisal.
• Plan, manage, and monitor budgetary expenses with regard to Mental Health.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Student Services.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Senior Mental Health Professional with a minimum of 7-10 years of mental health service delivery experience working with children and youth across the tiers of mental health intervention (promotion, prevention, intervention, crisis and system navigation).
• Minimum of Masters level training in Psychology, Psychiatry or Social Work, or equivalent, as approved by the Board, is required.
• A Regulated Health Professional and registered member in good standing of a related professional regulatory body in Ontario.
• Experience working within a school board setting preferred.
• Extensive demonstrated knowledge and experience in strategy development, vision setting and implementation, system coordination, and implementation science.
• A continuous learner who demonstrates working knowledge of research best practices and ability to effectively gather and utilize data in alignment with research ethical standards.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work effectively within an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Experience designing and facilitating professional learning and/or psychoeducation for the purpose of building capacity with mental health professionals, educators, adults, youth, families and caregivers.
• Working knowledge of the Ontario education system, child and youth community mental health sector, and all related acts of legislation pertaining to children and youth, education, mental health, and privacy.
• Strong leadership, vision setting and strategic thinker.
• Demonstrates collegiality and teamwork through interpersonal and communication skills.

Equity, Diversity, and Accommodation:

The York Region District School Board believes in giving each and every applicant an equal opportunity to succeed on his or her own merit, and we strive to hire staff that reflect and support the diverse perspectives, experiences and needs of our students and our communities. Human Resource Services strives to ensure that all recruiting processes are non-discriminatory and barrier-free and will provide accommodations throughout the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. If you are selected to participate in our recruitment process, please inform our Recruitment and Retention Team of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.

As a condition of employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a current original Police Vulnerable Sector Check, from the police jurisdiction in which they reside prior to commencing employment with the Board.  Police Vulnerable Sector Check documents are only valid if issued within the last six months. Candidates are not advised to obtain this document prior to an offer of employment.

On-line applications are collected centrally at the Education Centre - Aurora and are monitored by Human Resource Services. Only candidates selected to participate in our selection process will be contacted.   All other applicants are thanked for their interest.