Program Consultant (Integration & Implementation Specialist) - Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario

Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario (YWHO, www.youthhubs.ca) is a network of 32, Integrated Youth Services (IYS) hub networks that currently operate in 40 communities, where young people ages 12 to 25 years have walk-in access to youth-centered, community-based mental health and wellness services.

YWHO engages youth, family members, service providers, and other partners through a co-creation process, enhancing the relevance, acceptability, and youth friendliness of services. The hubs are provincially consistent in core features and locally led and adapted to offer and connect to a range of evidence-based services—mental health care, substance use health services, primary care, education, employment, housing, peer support, family support and care navigation—in youth-friendly spaces. Outcomes are rigorously evaluated within and across hubs, focusing on positive outcomes in areas of wellness important to youth and their families.

Position Description

The YWHO Provincial Office (PO) at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is seeking a full-time, permanent Program Consultant (Integration and Implementation Specialist, PreVenture). This position will report to the Manager of Early Intervention and Prevention. The Integration and Implementation Specialist will play a key role in supporting an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) delivery model within local YWHO networks and community partners, including the implementation of the PreVenture program. PreVenture is an evidence-based prevention program that uses personality-focused interventions to promote mental health and delay substance use among youth (aged 12-18). YWHO PO in partnership with School-Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON), is supporting the implementation of the PreVenture program in school boards across province, in collaboration with local YWHO Networks. YWHO is also supporting delivery of the program in community, through additional partners and youth-serving agencies. 

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with the Early Intervention and Prevention team as well as the Integration and Implementation Team to bring specific expertise in the areas of Implementation Science, Quality Improvement, change management, partner engagement and co-development, knowledge mobilization and system change. The successful candidate will have a strong background in anti-oppressive and anti-racist practice, excellent knowledge of equity frameworks and tools, and significant experience supporting others to identify, prioritize, and develop equity-focused actions that advance meaningful and sustained change. The Integration and Implementation Specialist will support  the active involvement of Indigenous communities and service providers in all stages of implementation, providing tailored and contextualized support at an agency and system level, including active outreach and engagement with Indigenous and First Nations-led organizations and communities as well as the development of implementation tools and the ongoing support of program implementation and development with First Nations and Indigenous communities within Ontario. 

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Applying and integrating evidence informed approaches to change such as Implementation Science, Quality Improvement and service/system design to support system partners to adopt new practices;
• Engaging and fostering collaborative relationships with partners to develop a shared understanding and vision;
• Provide expertise and advice related to equity, anti-racism, and anti-oppression to strengthen internal YWHO practices to support the implementation and evaluation of Integrated Youth Services (IYS) delivery model within local YWHO networks, including the implementation of the PreVenture program;
• Developing an understanding of the local mental health and substance use systems in order to support contextualized implementation;
• Understanding and reviewing trends and monitoring and evaluating data to identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen equitable service delivery into program and project planning of YWHO programs;
• Assisting partners (internal and external) with implementing practice and/or system change through facilitation, coaching, problem solving, focused capacity building, consensus building, decision making and conflict resolution;
• Using clinical expertise to support partners in the planning and delivery of the YWHO model and its evidence-based interventions;
• Completing training to become a certified PreVenture Trainer. This involves delivering the PreVenture program in collaboration with YWHO Networks, agencies and/or school boards; 
• Provide low-fidelity & high-fidelity training and clinical coaching to YWHO Networks, agencies and school boards implementing the PreVenture program. This will involve working closely with school-based system partners; 
• Developing implementation processes, resources and tools based on evidence informed implementation approaches, utilizing Implementation Science as a foundational approach; 
• Building and supporting the capacity of organizations/agency to support sustainable and effective change; and
• Supporting the implementation of improvement cycles across and within organizations. 
   

The YWHO Provincial Office at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports a healthy workplace that embraces diversity, encourages teamwork and complies with all applicable standards and requirements. This position is located in Ontario, outside of the GTA.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess a Master’s degree in the field of social work, counselling, psychology or a related health or social service discipline (required). Registration and in good standing with a relevant professional college/registering body (College of Social Work and Social Service Workers, College of Psychotherapists and College of Nursing) is required. Successful candidate will have at least five (5) years’ experience in the field of health promotion/prevention, community health and/or mental health and substance use services or other related health services. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. 

• First Nations, Inuit or Métis identity is considered an asset. 
• Expertise in health or mental health program planning and implementation with a variety of organizations/agencies, with experience in the Indigenous health and/or mental health and/or substance use sector. 
• Thorough understanding of principles and practices of Indigenous engagement is required. Demonstrated knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, cultures, perspectives and health service providers
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusivity, respect and social justice. 
• Demonstrated ability to work in collaboration with diverse stakeholders of diverse backgrounds, equity seeking groups (such as First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other racialized people) 
• Experience working with adolescents is required, experience delivering manualized group-based, and evidence-based interventions is preferred.
• Cognitive behavioural education/experience is preferred.
• Experience with the implementation or adaptation of evidence-based programming or services is an asset.
• Experience with youth and family engagement, including advisory/committee/consultation work. 
• Demonstrated ability to provide guidance and leadership to collaborative partnerships and experience facilitating or contributing to strategic planning processes. 
• Demonstrated skills and commitment to data driven/evidence-informed decision making. 
• Experience working within an Implementation Science framework or other evidence informed implementation or Quality Improvement framework.
• Demonstrated ability to coach partners and colleagues using clinical expertise, strength-based problem solving, active listening, motivational interviewing, modeling and other coaching strategies.
• Experience in assisting organizations/agencies with system change initiatives through facilitation, problem solving, decision-making and conflict resolution.
• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task, produce and coordinate projects to tight deadlines.
• Expertise in health equity and a proven track record of engaging others in open, meaningful and productive dialogue about equity, racism, and oppression.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work on a team, as well as function independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to supporting the engagement of young people and family members with lived experience in planning and implementation activities, preferably within a mental health/substance use context.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication (oral/written), community engagement, and creative problem-solving abilities are required.
   

Other Skills:

• Bilingualism (French/English) and/or the ability to speak an Indigenous language is considered an asset.
• A valid license, access to a vehicle and ability to drive to locations as an expectation of travel related to program assignments.
   

All applicants offered and accepting employment must complete a Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check. The offer of employment will be conditional upon receipt of the satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Police Records Check.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary is competitive and based on experience, with a hiring range of $85,682.95 – $107,103.68per year.  
• Employees in this role may progress within the full pay range of $85,682.95 – $128,524.42 per year
• CAMH’s Total Rewards: Includes participation in HOOPP defined benefit pension plan, extended health and dental benefits, paid vacation starting at 4 weeks, flexible work arrangements, and ongoing professional development support.
   

This role allows professionals to apply their expertise in a mission-driven environment dedicated to public health outcomes.

CAMH is a fully affiliated teaching hospital and research institute of the University of Toronto. As a CAMH employee, you will contribute to our mission by supporting teaching, research, and clinical care across the hospital.

CAMH is dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment is to foster a workplace, teaching, and learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination or harassment.

CAMH strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples; Black and other racialized communities; LGBTQ2S+ communities; women; and people with disabilities, including those with lived experience of mental health and substance use challenges.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Thank you to all who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you require accommodations during the application or recruitment process, please let us know.