Clinical Youth Outreach Worker

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 Clinical Youth Outreach Worker provides range of outreach, and clinical prevention and early intervention services to youth, families, and youth groups to enhance and maintain a youth’s development within his or her respective community.

Salary range:   $64,573 to $74,875 per annum

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

This is a one-year contract position 


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

  • Use the Stages of Change model supported by Motivational Interviewing techniques to initiate and maintain professional working relationships with youth who are disconnected from their families and/or community-based services including youth with disabilities, newcomer youth, aboriginal youth, and youth from diverse communities (racial, cultural, sexual orientation, etc.), and youth who have experienced violence in their communities and or relationships in east Toronto in activities that promote assets, competencies and resiliency.
  • Provide clinical support to participants and staff in the YOW programs in the East Quadrant.
  • Frame interactions with youth from an opportunities-youth lens, focused on building on the strengths of youth, in themselves, in their relationships, and in their communities.
  • Engage and connect with youth who use our onsite/satellite programs (e.g., East Qrew, Youth Drop-in, Youth Wellness Hub), and formulate short-term, target-specific group programming based on needs.
  • Work collaboratively with youth, families, youth service providers, schools, City staff and police etc., to develop effective goal-oriented service delivery plans and referrals that ensure that youth have access to programs, services and opportunities needed for healthy development.
  • Facilitate holistic mental health services through the social determinants of health lens for socialization, recreation, housing, employment, education, health, and other service linkages.
  • Create safety and other service plans with youth and their environments, to establish sustainable supports in the absence of YOW support or post-termination of service.
  • Organize and participate in public education seminars, workshops, groups and training for youth, families, and service providers.
  • Achieve required service interaction targets and maintain timely and accurate service statistics and records.
  • Provide culturally sensitive services using an anti-oppressive framework.
  • Engage youth and the community in discussion and activities about gender-based violence and healthy relationship building strategies.
  • Reflect demonstrated interest and strategies in engaging parents, and tapping into existing parent groups, faith communities, etc., and provide education and information on issues related to parenting, etc.
  • Provide coordination support to the East Quadrant Youth Outreach Worker Network’s monthly team meetings (e.g., assist with the planning and facilitation of the meetings, including inviting guest speakers, agendas, and ensuring meeting minutes are taken and distributed).

THE “MUST HAVES”

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

  • Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology or a related field
  • Registration in good standing in an appropriate regulatory body that can provide psychotherapy such as OCSWSSW or CRPO.
  • 1 year of directly related experience
  • Demonstrated strong assessment, analytical skills, and aspects of case management skills to establish appropriate service responses for youth and families
  • Demonstrated skills in delivering group programs and workshops
  • Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of mental health, high risk youth and the impact of community-based violence and other trauma incidents on youth development
  • Demonstrated ability to work co-operatively and negotiate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team of service providers internally and externally
  • 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: 

  • Minimum of 3 years of direct experience in working with and engaging youth and families.
  • Familiarity with the specialized needs of transitional-aged youth and the Adult Mental Health System and the Criminal Justice System.
  • Functional computer and client information system knowledge
  • 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 23, 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.