Family Navigator - Family Navigation Project - Temporary Full Time 2024-9026

Classification: Temporary Full Time (18 month contract with opportunity for extension)

We currently have a Temporary-Full Time opportunity for a Family Navigator with the Family Navigation Project. This position reports to the Program Manager.

This position is being made available through funding from the Slaight Family Foundation to address the gaps in access for mental health care for youth from equity-deserving communities. This role will work closely with the in-patient psychiatry units at Sunnybrook and will have a key role in engaging with equity-focused community partners to ensure seamless transitions from hospital to community for underserved youth.

The Family Navigation Project (FNP) at Sunnybrook is a non-profit program designed to provide expert navigation of the mental health and addiction service system for youth and their families residing in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). FNP is a free service offered through phone and email that uses a combination of clinical and lived experience to support youth and their families on their care pathway. FNP is strongly committed to equitable hiring practices and building a team that reflects the full spectrum of diverse communities we partner with. We welcome and encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and people of colour, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, people with disabilities, and those who live at the intersection of equity-deserving communities.

The Family Navigator serves as the key contact for youth and/or families or potentially other service providers or stakeholders seeking support and resources for youth aged 11 – 29 with significant mental health and/or addiction challenges. Clients are partnered with Family Navigators who engage in a collaborative approach to determine the range of youth and family service needs and readiness for treatment/care. The Family Navigator will facilitate access to timely care utilizing detailed and extensive knowledge of the mental health and addiction service system to match the youth and family’s needs, as best possible, with the appropriate mental health and/or addiction resources.

Note: This position is eligible to participate in our Pension, Extended Health and Dental Plans.

Summary of Duties

Navigation:

• Collaborate with Sunnybrook in-patient psychiatry units to identify relevant community based services and facilitate seamless transitions for youth being discharged. Note: Occasional work at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Bayview campus and/or community partners, will be required to meet the needs of the project.
• Work to reduce barriers to access and transition through service and advocate for youth and families across various systems (largely mental health and addiction, but on occasion legal, housing, social etc.) to facilitate the introduction to and initiation of services in a timely manner.
• Complete comprehensive needs assessments to determine service needs and goals for service.
• Partner with clients and empower them to make informed choices and support service entry, transition and service discharge/re-entry planning depending on the phase of treatment and the individualized needs of clients.
• Provide psychoeducation regarding mental health and addictions.
• Regularly check in with clients to determine if their circumstances, needs or goals have changed or if their readiness to access services has evolved.

Case Consultation and Service Matching:

• Actively participate in weekly team based case consultation with psychiatrists and peers where clinical and treatment needs are identified and prioritized to support families with making service decisions.
• Explore service options and engage in an ongoing process of researching and vetting service providers to assess for suitability to support FNP clients.
• Proactively share community service/program updates with other Navigators and through FNP platforms.

Community Engagement and Relationship Building:

• Become knowledgeable of and develop relationships with service providers who work with equity-deserving communities.
• Community presentations to schools, parent councils, local service providers, and at local community events.
• External site visits with treatment providers to cultivate collaborative relationships and facilitate smooth transitions for families into services.
• Attend and present at sector related workshops/conferences to promote and educate the public about FNP and engage in networking to build knowledge about service offerings.
• Coordinate In-Service presentations by local service providers (including public and private sector).

Other duties may include those needed for the ongoing growth, development and execution of the FNP program.

Qualifications/Skills

Specific Skills

• Previous experience in partnering with equity-deserving communities e.g., Black, Indigenous and people of colour, 2SLGBTQI+, communities living in poverty, people with disabilities etc., and those living at various intersections across these and other groups, are essential to this role.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of anti-oppressive, anti-racist, intersectional, decolonization, and equity informed frameworks and practices is preferred.
• Cultural sensitivity, competence and the ability to connect with diverse populations.
• Excellent youth/family engagement and rapport building skills with an understanding of client-centred care.
• Advanced skills in verbal and written communication with well-developed listening skills and an understanding of motivational interviewing.
• Strong ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and engage in collaborative working relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Knowledge and understanding of mental health and addictions services across the GTA.
• Strong ability to establish effective working relationships with relevant hospital staff, physicians, community mental health and addiction providers, private sector service providers and other community agencies and resources to assist youth/families with accessing mental health/addictions services and to support successful introductions to services.
• Ability to complete required client documentation in a timely manner that adheres to PHIPA standards.
• Highly self-directed with excellent organizational and time management skills.

Qualifications/Education

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (i.e. Social Work, Psychology or other); Master’s degree or graduate certificate or additional training in mental health and/or addictions (preferred);
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working within the Mental Health and Addictions sector, preferably with youth and families.
• Fluency in a second language relevant to the diverse communities across the GTA is preferred.

Qualified Applicants please submit a Cover Letter along with your Résumé