Service Navigator

STRIDES TORONTO•Toronto, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is an existing vacancy for a Full-Time Contract Service Navigator position that provides intake, screening, resource matching, and service navigation support to children, youth, and their families experiencing mental health challenges. The role ensures timely, efficient, and coordinated access to appropriate services and supports.

Requirements

Completion of a Degree or Diploma in a Human Services–related field (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Child and Youth Care, Counselling, Social Service Work).
Three to five years of related experience working with children, youth, and families in mental-health or allied sectors.
Strong knowledge of child and youth mental-health disorders, symptom presentation, and developmental considerations.
Familiarity with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and its application in understanding mental-health presentations.
Trained in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and managing safety concerns.
Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive service delivery, and strengths-based approaches.
Strong time-management, prioritization, and organization skills.
Knowledge of specialized service areas (e.g., transitional-age youth resources, developmental services, crisis supports).
Awareness of the role of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) 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.
A Vulnerable Sector police check or Broad Record Check.

Nice To Haves

Membership in a relevant professional regulatory body (e.g., OCSWSSW, CRPO) would be an asset.
Fluency in another language(s), including sign language.

Responsibilities

Connect with the child/youth and family to gather relevant intake information to match clinical need to the most appropriate agency and service.
Determine level of risk or urgency of service needs using established triage tool and respond accordingly.
Educate families about mental health and relevant Toronto services and facilitate their understanding, engagement and support of the agreed upon agency destination and recommended program for their referral match.
Complete intake and screening to match clients to appropriate mental-health services based on their presenting needs, support informed decision-making with the child/youth and family, and facilitate referrals to the selected programs.
Demonstrate up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge of Child, and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) providers and allied sector resources to facilitate informed navigation and referral matching.
Regularly review the program inventory, agency websites, and resource materials from Core Service Providers and allied sectors to maintain current knowledge of available services.
Ensure all client information is documented accurately, completely, and within required timelines in accordance with organizational policies, guidelines, and accreditation standards.