Care Coordinator/Peer Support

We are seeking a bilingual individual to join our team - English, Spanish, Arabic and/or Farsi

In partnership with Niagara Region and Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO), Bridges Niagara is seeking a passionate, responsible, and creative professional to serve as a Care Coordinator and Peer Support Worker for newcomer youth (ages 12–25). As part of the Youth Wellness Team, this role combines case management with lived/living experience of mental health and/or substance use to provide both practical support and peer-informed guidance. The Care Coordinator/Peer Support works collaboratively with youth and a multidisciplinary team to help identify goals, navigate services at the Niagara YWHO site and in the broader community, and build skills, connections, and continuity of care. This includes one-on-one and group-based support, as well as engagement with families, caregivers, and other service providers to ensure holistic, youth-centred care.

About YWHO:
YWHO supports local service providers to work together to provide young people in Ontario aged 12 to 25 with low barrier access to a full range of services including mental health and substance use supports, primary care, education, employment, housing and other social services all through youth-friendly access points. YWHO services are designed to improve experiences and outcomes for youth by: Increasing access to rapid, low-barrier services; Reducing transitions by providing care in one location; and providing tailored, high-quality programs co-developed with youth to meet their needs.

Job Responsibilities

● Create and maintain a developmentally appropriate, non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing, safe, and

welcoming hub atmosphere.

● Provide support that is consistent with YWHO values to youth, their families and caregivers as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

● Work with youth and families to better understand their service needs and goals.

● Support a seamless experience of care for youth and families, including the transition between

various service pathways internal to the Hub Network (Skills and Well-being, Community & Social

Support, Clinical Services) as well as linking youth to resources in the community.

● Provide care coordination and community based support to youth with a number of care providers,

including case conferencing to ensure strong communication among the care team.

● Accompanying youth to appointments and provide warm transfer supports to youth referred to

services both in the hub and service providers in the community.

● In collaboration with youth, support the use of YWHO standardized measures to provide mental

health and substance use services, monitor progress, and improve youth outcomes (focus on

measurement-based care).

● Participate in YWHO Provincial Community of Practice

● Promote and encourage youth engagement and positive youth development in care planning and

establish goals by fostering therapeutic relationships.

● Develop strong relationships with community services to build referral pathways for young people

looking for specific services and supports such as housing, education, financial supports,

employment, legal, basic needs, mental health, substance use, and physical health.

● Maintain accurate youth records including case note documentation, progress reports and all other

functions within the electronic records management system.

Qualifications / Required Experience / Skills

● Lived/living experience as a young person with mental health and/or substance use challenges,

which may include experience as a recipient of mental health and/or substance use services, is

required.

● Undergraduate degree/diploma preferred (psychology, social work or relevant health or social

science field).

● Registration with a professional body considered an asset (College of Nurses of Ontario,

Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers).

● 3-5 years of experience in healthcare or the social services sectors.

● 3-5 experience working with children, youth, families and caregivers.

● Comprehensive knowledge of issues related to substance use, concurrent disorders, mental

health, trauma and recovery.

● Knowledge of the impact of social/cultural/economic factors on the determinants of health.

● Knowledge of community resources and services is considered an asset.

● Ability to work collaboratively within and across interdisciplinary teams and community

partners.

● Familiarity with system navigation models and principles, an asset.

● Excellent communication skills (both written and oral).

● Ability to use strength-based problem solving, active listening, motivational interviewing,

modeling and other coaching strategies.

● Superior interpersonal, collaboration, facilitation, and negotiation skills.

● Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and in a multi-disciplinary team

environment.

● Provide services and support to youth and their families in a way that is consistent with the

values of the YWHO model.

● Proficiency in Spanish, Arabic and/or Farsi

● Willingness to work occasional evenings and reliable access to a vehicle, as the role involves

travel to multiple sites

Deadline to apply is on October 14th by 11:59 p.m. Apply ONLY by email to: quoting "Care Coordinator/Peer Support" position in the subject line of your email.