About the Role
The Mental Health Worker supports youth with disabilities who face mental health-related barriers to participation, employment readiness, and community inclusion. The role focuses on reducing barriers, strengthening employability-related skills, and supporting participants toward greater independence, stability, and participation in education, training, or employment pathways.
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized, strengths-based support to youth with disabilities to reduce barriers related to mental health, daily functioning, and community participation.
- Support participants in developing employability-related skills, including routine-building, communication, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and goal setting.
- Engage participants in one-to-one and group-based activities that support confidence, motivation, and readiness for education, training, or employment.
- Promote participant choice, self-determination, and active involvement in service planning.
- Observe and monitor changes in youth mental health and emotional well-being.
- Provide de-escalation and crisis support using trauma-informed and non-violent intervention approaches.
- Support youth in identifying triggers, developing safety plans, and practicing healthy coping strategies.
- Follow agency protocols and collaborate with supervisors, clinicians, and emergency services when required.
- Collaborate with internal teams, families, caregivers, employers, educators, and community partners to support coordinated, outcome-focused service delivery.
- Support participants in accessing employment supports, education and training programs, healthcare, income support, and community-based services.
- Advocate for participant accommodation needs, accessibility, and inclusive practices within service systems.
- Contribute to transition planning and referrals aligned with participant goals and funder outcomes.
- Maintain accurate, timely, and outcome-focused documentation in alignment with ESDC Opportunities Fund requirements and agency policies.
- Document participant progress related to employability, skill development, participation, and goal attainment.
- Contribute to data collection, monitoring, and reporting activities required by funders.
- Ensure confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries are maintained at all times.
- Actively participate in team meetings, supervision, and training.
- Contribute to a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment.
- Support program events, workshops, and community activities as required.
Requirements
- Experience supporting youth with mental health challenges and/or disabilities through paid work, co-op, or placement experience.
- Experience working with dual diagnosis, neurodiverse youth, or youth with complex needs is a strong asset.
- Knowledge of youth mental health, recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed care, and anti-oppressive frameworks.
- CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention or equivalent training (or willingness to obtain).
- Clear Vulnerable Sector Check satisfactory to Tropicana Community Services.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends based on program needs.
- Proactively contributes to the organization.
- Initiates or assists with other projects as required.
Skills
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills with youth, families, and community partners.
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively in emotionally challenging or crisis situations.
- Strong organizational, observation, and documentation skills.
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a team-based environment.
- Cultural humility and commitment to equity, inclusion, and community empowerment.
Location
- North York, ON
Work Type
- Part-time
- 28 hours weekly
- Extended Hours: Based on program and operational needs
Education Level
- Degree in Social Service Worker, Social Work, Psychology, Community Services, or a related field.
Benefits
- Career growth and development opportunities
- A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
- Employee Assistance Program
About the Company
- Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices.
- Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.
Equal Opportunity
- Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures.
- Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process.
- If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process please contact Human Resources.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
