Youth Support Worker

October 15, 2024

Job Posting #1114

**Youth Support Worker**

**12 Month Contract**

The York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.

Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centered care, we engage with children and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.

YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children youth and families thrive.

To support us on our journey, YRCAS is looking for a Youth Support Worker to support our Child Youth and Family Well-Being Team.

**Why Work for Us?**
- Hybrid working model (working virtual and in person)
- Casual dress code
- Employer paid Health & Dental Benefit
- One day off every five (5) weeks during Winter months
- Shortened Summer hours
- OMERS Pension, with employer and employee sharing premiums equally
- Mileage Reimbursement
- Enhanced Wellness Initiatives Virtual Fitness Classes

**SUMMARY OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**

Reporting to the Service Supervisor, the Youth Support Worker will develop and implement activities to support youth transitioning out of care. This position will also support youth initiatives currently in place as well as develop new programs and activities to support youth. As part of the Children’s Services teams the Youth Support Worker will work closely with children, youth, and staff to collaborate on projects that will enhance youth participation and presence within the organization and the community

**NATURE OF POSITION**:

- Organize and coordinate all youth centered events in the Agency (i.e. YouthCan; OVOV; Stay in School, Youth Events Committee, Youth in Care Day, Youth Advisory Council, Camps, etc.).
- Attends court in-person, weekly or as required, liaising with the Youth Court Division and the Youth Cross-Over project while representing the Society
- Act as a representative and an active participant in regional, provincial, and inter-jurisdictional community events and planning tables for youth
- Liaise with various community supports and youth initiatives to support ongoing community collaboration and services to youth receiving services from the Society
- Work in consultation to coordinate events to acknowledge and celebrate intersecting identities for youth in care (i.e. One Vision One Voice events, Black history month, PRIDE month etc.)
- Providing direct resources for youth exiting care at age 18 and leaving service at age 23
- Accompany youth as required while representing the Society at regional and provincial conferences
- Develop evidence informed programming to support youth/young adults as they fulfil personal goals as they transition into independent living
- Provide opportunities for youth and staff to engage in programming (i.e. Newsletters, SMS, community forms)
- Assist in youth obtaining personal identification
- Coordinate and run an independent living skills program for youth in care (i.e. financial literacy program) Co-facilitates youth led conferences as required
- Demonstrates strong advocacy skills for children and youth, and locating appropriate community services
- Has excellent working knowledge if the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA) and the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA)
- Confident in presenting to multiple stakeholders, (i.e. community partners, agency staff meetings, Board of Directors, etc.)
- Maintains contact as required with committees, task forces, planning groups/bodies as a Society representative
- Carries out other duties as assigned

**Knowledge and Skills**
- Demonstrated project management skills including implementation of project/programs
- An excellent working knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, and other pertinent legislation, Ministry standards and guidelines, Agency policies, directives and procedures and collective agreement
- Previous experience organizing and planning events
- Ability to achieve results, work under pressure, and meet tight timelines
- Experience and knowledge of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in a child welfare setting
- Knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action, the OACAS Indigenous Reconciliation Framework
- Knowledge of the One Vision One Voice Practice Framework and Race Equity practices
- Culturally responsive to the needs of a diverse population of youth (e.g., First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, and racialized children and youth)
- Solid understanding of the principles of anti-op