Parent Advocate with Lived Experience – Permanent, Part-Time | Posting #1896

Compass; Northeastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 28,000 - 39,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

HOOPP

On-site parking

Job summary

Compass is a Sudbury, Ontario based non-profit offering mental health and developmental services for youth and families. The Youth Wellness Hub and Family Navigation Project (FNP) deliver peer support and navigation to caregivers of youth with mental health and addiction needs.

The Peer Advocate with Lived Experience (PAL) position reports to the Client Services Manager within the FNP team. This is a non-clinical, peer-support role with training and mentorship provided to share lived experience

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent; lived experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Lived experience valued; no need to disclose diagnoses during recruitment.
• Ability to navigate systems and support caregivers across youth mental health services.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing peer support to caregivers in collaboration with the Family Navigator, drawing on lived experience to support, empower, educate, and assist caregivers in navigating the mental health and addiction system.
• Provide information about the Family Navigation Project (FNP) and available services for youth with mental health and addiction concerns.
• Inform caregivers engaged in navigation about advocacy, self-help, recovery, and prevention to improve wellbeing and resilience.
• Participate in team meetings to optimize resources and determine applicability of PAL services for caregivers.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Organizational skills

Communication skills (English)

Independent and collaborative work

Youth and family engagement

Cultural awareness (Indigenous)

Diversity/Equity awareness

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Permanent Part 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 Client Services Manager, the Parent Advocate with Lived Experience (PAL) is an integral member of the Family Navigation Project (FNP) team, providing peer support and advocacy to caregivers navigating youth mental health and addiction services. Drawing on lived experience, the PAL helps families understand mental health challenges, access available resources, build resilience, and navigate complex service systems.

This is a peer-support role, not a clinical role. Caregiver support is a non-clinical, relationship-based role that draws on lived experience to offer emotional support, validation, hope, and practical insight. We will provide training, mentorship, and ongoing support to help you share your lived experience in a way that protects your well-being and supports caregivers.

In this role, you will use your lived experience in a safe, intentional, and professional way, to help caregivers feel less alone, and support them in learning how to navigate the system and advocate for themselves. You will also bring caregiver voice into program decisions and youth-focused projects.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides ongoing peer support to caregivers in collaboration with the Family Navigator, drawing on lived experience to support, empower, educate, and assist caregivers in navigating the mental health and addiction system.
• Provide information about FNP, and the nature of services for youth struggling with mental health and addiction concerns.
• Provide information to caregivers who are engaged in navigation on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, and prevention to enhance well-being and resilience.
• Participate in team meetings to optimize resources provided to the families/caregivers and to determine whether the PAL service can be of benefit to any caregiver clients.
• Maintain regular communication with the Family Navigator to share relevant updates and support coordinated service delivery.
• Keep the client information system up to date, including timely and documentation to track all interactions with caregivers.
• Participate in external community meetings and partnership activities, representing the FNP caregiver perspective and lived-experience voice.
• Represent FNP’s lived experience perspective at mental health and addiction events (i.e. FNP annual virtual conferences, booths, and community events).
• Participate in training programs, workshops, conferences, webinars, and other professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skill.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Proficiency in a computerized environment, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English is required; French is considered an asset.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with community organizations.
• Excellent youth and family engagement, and rapport-building skills, with a strong commitment to client-centered care.
• Awareness of the barriers and challenges faced by youth and families in culturally diverse, newcomer, and/or low-income communities is an asset.
• Knowledge of and respect for Indigenous cultural norms, ceremonies, traditions, teachings, protocols and traditional territories is considered an asset.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• A combination of directly related education, training, employment, volunteer, community, and/or lived experience may be considered equivalent where it demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Relevant lived experience may include navigating systems and services relevant to the population served; peer, family, caregiver, or advocacy support; community engagement; and supporting individuals to access appropriate resources.
• Lived experience is valued. Applicants are not required to disclose diagnoses, personal health information, or detailed personal circumstances during the recruitment process.

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)

Application Process

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. We welcome and encourage applications from Black, Indigenous and people of colour, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, people with disabilities, and those who live at the intersection of equity-deserving communities.