Program Coordinator
Families in TRANSition Program
Central Toronto Youth Services (CTYS) is an accredited, innovative Children’s Mental Health Centre providing a range of mental health services for youth and their families. The Pride & Prejudice Program – a program of CTYS – supports youth aged 13-24 who are exploring sexuality and gender identity, coming out, interpersonal conflicts, experiences of trauma, and mental health challenges. The individual hired for this position will be one of two coordinators for the Families in TRANSition (FIT) program, which is our group intervention for parents/caregivers of trans and non-binary youth.
Families in TRANSition (FIT) at CTYS
FIT was created as a unique and groundbreaking response to emerging data that showed that the most significant and impactful factor in trans youths’ mental wellness is the presence of supportive parents and caregivers. FIT uses an evidence-based approach to reduce risk factors for youth by strengthening relationships between youth and their caregivers/parents. Our program combines a trauma-informed lens, attachment-based modalities, and a gender-affirming approach to support families to create nonjudgmental spaces where youth can meaningfully explore gender.
There continues to be a steady demand for FIT-like groups in different regions and communities, and urgent unmet needs for families seeking gender-affirming services. The successful applicant will occupy one of two coordinator positions, and the two would be jointly responsible for the implementation, coordination, and evaluation of all aspects of the program during this funding phase, as delineated below.
As an organization, we see the ways that discrimination contributes to poorer mental health outcomes, and we are committed to proactively identifying and dismantling systemic forms of oppression that are impacting the youth and families we serve. We also recognize that marginalized groups are often overrepresented in mental health services and underrepresented in paid positions within agencies, including our own. CTYS is therefore striving to create a more representative workspace, with these considerations in mind. This is always a work in progress.
As a program, FIT uses a by/for model, which means that people working within the team are Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and/or parents/caregivers themselves. As a peer program, in order to strengthen the ability of our team to connect with a range of families and experiences, we will be prioritizing Black, Indigenous, racialized applicants, as well as to transfeminine individuals.
As employers we are committed to building intervention teams that reflect the diversity of our clients.
Priority will be given to applicants that identify with and have experience supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities, in particular, transgender, non-binary and BIPOC communities.
Primary Responsibilities:
· Provide intake and supportive counselling to the parents/caregivers of Two-Spirit, trans, and gender diverse youth.
· Facilitate the Families in TRANSition (FIT) group 1 evening per week
· Support the evaluation of the FIT program, and assist in the creation of outcomes-based informational products
· Support the development of partnerships with geographically-diverse and culturally-grounded agencies that are serving trans, Two-Spirit, and/or non-binary youth and their families
· Execute various aspects of the scale-up plan, for the expansion of FIT across Canada
· Support our partners as they begin and continue to provide their own FIT groups
· Facilitate the monthly virtual FIT community of practice call for partner agencies and facilitators
· Provide facilitator trainings to agencies/groups looking to run their own FIT-type supports
· Contribute content to the development and evolution of the emergent FIT program website
· Provide support to community groups that are adapting the FIT program for their own use
· Work collaboratively by participating on internal/external committees related to the FIT project
Qualifications:
- A degree or certificate in a related field, and/or equivalent experience
- Is either Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, gender-diverse (preferably transfeminine/transfem/AMAB, trans woman-identified), and/or a parent
- Has strong relationships with community-based services serving Black, Indigenous, racialized, and/or newcomer communities, and/or identify as part of said communities
- Comprehensive knowledge of the issues, needs, and resources for Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary youth.
- Experience in running groups, and knowledge of group design and facilitation.
- Experience in project coordination
- Commitment to practicing from anti-oppression and decolonizing frameworks
- Excellent skills in cultural safety practices
- Excellent writing skills and experience creating knowledge exchange materials
- Strong communication and computer skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport with youth and their families
- Must be available to work two evenings per week
- Experience supporting family members of Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary youth, individually & in groups, is an asset
- Fluency in French and/or another language is an asset
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 48 months
Salary: $63,108.92-$75,355.35 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
Schedule:
Work Location: Remote
Application deadline: 2023-09-26
Expected start date: 2023-10-01
