Family Navigator – Permanent Full-Time | Posting #1897

Compass; Northeastern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP (Healthcare of Ontario Pension

On-site parking

Paid vacation

Time off for float days

Disability coverage

Dental and vision benefits

EFAP

Job summary

Compass, a Sudbury, Ontario-based nonprofit focused on child and youth mental health, is seeking a Family Navigator for the Family Navigation Project. The role supports youth aged 11–29 and their families across the catchment, with a mix of in-person and virtual work, flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.

The navigator provides personalized guidance, reduces barriers to services, and connects clients with resources while collaborating with external partners and the Sunnybrook

Qualifications

• Honours Bachelor Degree in social work or related field; registration with a Professional College of Ontario.
• Experience or knowledge of child and youth mental health systems, child welfare and related health/social services.
• Bilingual (English/French) preferred; strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in a computerized environment and problem-solving in real time.

Responsibilities

• Assess youth and families' needs and barriers to access; provide personalized guidance and support.
• Advocate for youth across systems to facilitate timely service delivery.
• Collaborate with Sunnybrook research team on program evaluation and research protocols.
• Meet with youth/families to collect information on service needs.
• Provide client orientation to the Family Navigation Project including confidentiality and informed consent.
• Deliver psychoeducation on mental health and substance use to families.
• Maintain regular contact and support ongoing navigation for youth and families.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary case consultations with psychiatrists and team.
• Explore service options and assist with service initiation as needed.
• Deliver community presentations and outreach to promote awareness of FNP.
• Participate in community meetings to strengthen connections with providers.
• Complete required client documentation per policy.
• Share updates about community services within the FNP Resources Database.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Clinical decision-making

Communication skills

Bilingual English/French

External partnerships

Independent work

Cultural competency

Indigenous cultural awareness

Education

Honours Bachelor Degree in social work or HBA (Psychology)

Registered with a Professional College of Ontario

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Permanent Full Time - Unionized

Compass is a non-profit organization based in Sudbury Ontario that provides mental health and developmental services for children, youth, and families. Most programs serve individuals up to age 18, with select services available to older youth and young adults. Supports range from short-term counselling to ongoing therapy, psychological assessment, and diagnostic services. Compass is also the lead agency responsible for providing live-in treatment services for youth who need temporary residential support during significant life transitions.

The Youth Wellness Hub, is another program offered though Compass, you can learn more at www.ywhsudbury.ca.

In partnership with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Compass is launching Family Navigation Project (FNP) in Sudbury-Manitoulin, a navigation service providing expert guidance to youth ages 11 to 29 experiencing mental health and/or substance-use concerns and their families. Learn more about Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project here https://www.familynavigationproject.ca/.

Reporting to the Manager of Client Services, the Family Navigator is a vital role within the Family Navigation Project (FNP) team, providing personalized, collaborative guidance and advocacy to youth ages 11–29 and their families, helping assess needs, reducing barriers, navigating mental health and addictions services, and connecting them with appropriate supports. This role will support clients located across Compass’ catchment area. It involves a combination of in-person and virtual work and will provide personalized, culturally responsive system navigation while also engaging with community partners to build trust, strengthen referral pathways, and promote coordinated care. The role requires flexibility to work a varied schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of youth, families, and community partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use a collaborative approach to assess youth and their families’ needs, readiness for treatment and care, and barriers to accessing services. Provide personalized guidance and support to help youth experiencing mental health and/or substance-use concerns identify and access appropriate resources.
• Work to reduce barriers to access and transition to service and advocate for youth and their families across various systems to facilitate the introduction of services in a timely manner.
• Liaise with Sunnybrook research team regarding program evaluation activities and applicable research protocols.
• Meet with the youth and/or their families with the goal of collecting information on the youth’s service needs.
• Provide client orientation to FNP including discussing nature of service, the collection and storage of client data, confidentiality and limits, and obtaining informed consent prior to service initiation.
• Provide psychoeducation about mental health and substance use to support youth and their families in understanding their options and identifying appropriate supports and services.
• Maintain regular contact with youth and/or their families to understand changes in their circumstances and service needs and to support ongoing navigation.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary case consultations with psychiatrists and other members of the team to discuss identified clinical and treatment needs and support youth and families in making informed decisions about services.
• Explore service options based on client needs, communicate options to youth/family and support with service initiation if required.
• Deliver community presentations and outreach activities for schools, parent councils, local service providers, and community organizations to promote awareness of FNP and provide information and psychoeducation about mental health and substance-use services.
• Participate in community meetings, collaboration tables, and other partnership activities to strengthen connections with local service providers and community resources.
• Complete required client documentation in a timely manner that adheres to organizational policies
• Registered and in good standing with a Professional College of Ontario.
• Share updates about community services and programs with other Navigators and maintain current information in the FNP Services Resource Database.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Proficiency in a computerized environment, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Strong clinical decision-making: assess risk, prioritize competing demands, and problem-solve in real time
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; bilingual (English/French) preferred
• Ability to collaborate with external partners (school boards, health and social service agencies, community organizations)
• Ability to work independently with sound judgment
• Experience with and/or knowledge of child and youth mental health systems, child welfare, and related health/social services
• Cultural competency: understanding of issues facing diverse populations including Indigenous, Francophone, Immigrant/Refugee, and LGBT2SQ+ communities
• Knowledge of and respect for Indigenous cultural norms, ceremonies, traditions, teachings, protocols and traditional territories is considered an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Honours Bachelor Degree in social work or HBA (Psychology), Bachelor of Arts Child and Youth Care or other related human services honours degrees.
• Registered in good standing with a Professional College of Ontario.

Successful applicants will be required to provide:

• Proof of eligibility to work in Canada
• A valid Ontario driver’s license and use of a reliable motor vehicle; insurability on vehicle as per policy
• Completed Police Vulnerable Sector Check

Benefits include:

• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• On-site parking (paid by employer)
• Paid vacation
• Paid float days
• Short-term disability coverage
• Dental, Vision and Extended Health benefits
• Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Compass is committed to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and value the dignity and worth of every individual. Compass will provide reasonable accommodation to any applicant who identifies a need to be accommodated. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please advise our Human Resources team prior to your interview.