Lead, Integrated Child and Youth

**Job Description**:
In accordance with the Vision, Purpose, and Values, and strategic direction of the Vancouver Island Health Authority (Island Health) patient and staff safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone; as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

Reporting to the Director or Manager, Child, Youth and Family Mental Health Services as assigned, the Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) Program Lead is a dynamic multi-functional administrator role that champions integration of service across the team and community, plays a critical role in ensuring fidelity to the ICY model of care, and leads team integration and cohesion to enable effective provision of mental health and substance use supports to children, youth and families in the applicable service area.

Travel may be a requirement of this position. Transportation arrangements must meet the operational requirements of Island Health in accordance with the service assignment and may require the use of a personal vehicle.

OVERVIEW OF INTEGRATED CHILD AND YOUTH TEAM PROGRAM

Under the Pathway to Hope, the Province is establishing Integrated Child and Youth (ICY) teams in five communities, defined by school district boundaries, starting in fall 2021 with Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows, Comox Valley, Richmond, Coast Mountains, and Okanagan-Similkameen. An additional 15 communities will be added over the following three years for a total of 20 communities.

These community-based multidisciplinary teams will coordinate and deliver wraparound mental health and substance use services and supports for children and youth 0-19 and their families. The service delivery will be flexible and outbound, reflecting the preferences of children, youth, and families. Each ICY team will support a cluster of Public, Independent and First Nations operated schools and will include all children and youth within the geographic region, including those who don't attend a school.

Integrated Child and Youth teams are comprised of team members employed by various organizations and ministries with some positions already existing in the region and new positions being added. Core team positions include Integrated Care Coordinators (ICC), Integrated Child and Youth Clinical Counsellors (ICYCC), Child and Youth Mental Health (CYMH) clinicians, youth substance use workers, Indigenous positions, administrative assistants, and youth and family peer support.

Through the collective impact of partners working together in an integrated way, children and youth with mild, moderate, and severe mental health and/or substance use challenges and their families/caregivers will have timely, equitable access to a seamless system of culturally safe and effective interventions that are based on the unique strengths, needs and risks of children, youth and families.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Education, Training And Experience**:
A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master's degree in a relevant health care field such as nursing, psychology or social work with five (5) years' related clinical consultation/supervision, administration, community development, project management experience including understanding and knowledge of Indigenous Health issues, protocols and health needs.

Appropriate required certifications, licenses or professional designations including valid BC Driver's Licence and First Aid.

**Skills And Abilities**:

- Thorough knowledge of a multidisciplinary team approach and the coordination of services in a complex environment and system of care.
- A strong foundation of knowledge and experience in the mental health and substance use field.
- Demonstrated knowledge and ability in related clinical health care practice, education and program planning, development, implementation and evaluation.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous cultural practices and beliefs with reference to mental health and substance use.
- Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and lead ICY Teams who are employed across various organizations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to lead and promote team building while understanding that decisive action is required.
- Ability to find creative solutions to problems and to develop alternative strategies to support quality improvement initiatives.
- Ability to assess training needs and facilitate training opportunities that may be available through partners.
- Provides ICY Core Module training as teams are being established and ensures new team members are trained in ICY framework and practices.
- Positive problem-solving skills in a dynamic work environment.
- Strong planning, critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Extensive knowledge and ability to direct quality assurance processes, professional development and professional competency issues.
- Background knowledge in the field of ad