Early School Age Development Coordinator

Abiona Centre For Infant & Early Mental Health; Toronto; On-site; CAD 46,592 - 56,945; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused mental health organization in Toronto is seeking an Early School-Age Development Coordinator to lead the Kuumba Project, which supports infant and early childhood mental health for children aged 3-5. This full-time role requires a post-secondary degree, a minimum of 3 years’ experience, and a commitment to anti-racist practices. The coordinator will work directly with young children and BIPOC families, facilitating parenting forums and building therapeutic relationships. Competitive pay and dynamic work environment offered.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in child development or infant mental health.
• Understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices.
• Experience working with BIPOC and 2SLGBTQQIA communities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Kuumba Project focused on infant mental health for children 3-5.
• Build relationships with young children and their caregivers.
• Facilitate community forums on parenting and child development.

Skills

Child Development

Early Childhood Education

Therapeutic relationship building

Group facilitation

Cultural competency

Fluency in French

Education

Post-Secondary Degree in Child Development or related field

Job description

Abiona Centre For Infant & Early Mental Health (the “Centre”), is a client-centered organization focusing on infant and early childhood mental health. We support pregnant and parenting young mothers aged 13-29, along with their babies who reside at the Centre or in the community. As an accredited Children’s Mental Health Centre, we are the largest Young Parent Infant Centre in the province.

Our commitment is to create a better future for vulnerable pregnant and parenting young mothers and their children 0-6. Our infant and early childhood mental health programs give our clients the tools they need to build secure relationships with their babies, cope with life’s adversities, find help when needed and succeed in life. We offer a live-in treatment program, transitional housing, on-site high school programs, community housing support, housing and community support referral services, and maternal-infant mental health programs. Collaborating with community partners, our multi-disciplinary team provides wraparound programs addressing mental health, education, life skills, and transitional needs. The Centre also operates an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, along with two Early Learning Centres open to families, young women, and their children in the community.

Our vision is a world where families led by young women have the emotional and physical supports to realize their full potential.

Reporting to the Supervisor, MIMH, the Early School-Age Development Coordinator (the “Coordinator”) will be at the forefront of the Kuumba Project (the “Project”), an essential infant and early childhood mental health initiative at Abiona Centre (the “Centre”). The project is designed for children aged 3-5 years within the Black, African Canadian, and racialized communities.

Early School Age Development Coordinator

Term: Permanent Full Time

Rate of Pay: $51,769 per annum

Department: Maternal Infant Mental Health

Reports to: Supervisor, Maternal Infant Mental Health Program (MIMH)

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary Degree in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, or a related field; additional qualifications in Infant Mental Health and attachment-based interventions preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in child development or infant mental health within a structured setting.
• Thorough understanding of anti-racism and anti-oppressive practices affecting BIPOC and 2SLGBTQQIA communities.
• Lived experience as a Black or African Canadian individual is highly valued.
• Extensive knowledge of the challenges and strengths of marginalized Black and African Canadian families, as well as other racialized families with young children.
• Familiarity with the needs of pregnant, parenting young parents and their children.
• Demonstrated ability to establish therapeutic, trusting relationships with young children and their caregivers.
• Experience in facilitating group and community forums with a focus on parenting and parent-child relationships.
• Knowledge of maternal and parent-child relationship impacts on infant development.
• Proficiency in implementing evidence-based parenting and attachment theory informed interventions.
• Excellent organizational skills and effective time management.
• Strong critical thinking abilities, empathy, and compassion.
• Familiarity with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) and Developmental Support Plans (DSPs).
• Knowledge of harm reduction and client-centered approaches.
• Standard First Aid, CPR-C required
• Fluency in a second language, such as French, is an asset.

Working Conditions

• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm with occasional evening or weekend work
• The role involves working in community settings in schools, libraries, or external agency facilities and some travel between Abiona Centre locations.

The Centre offers a dynamic work environment and career advancement opportunities. The successful candidate must have a negative criminal reference check and vulnerable sector screening as a condition of employment.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and the Centre’s Accommodation Policy, accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process. Please make your needs known in advance.

The Centre encourages applications from persons who represent the diverse populations we serve.