Contract position, with extension contingent on funding.
School Mental Health Ontario (SMH-ON) works together with Ontario school districts to support student mental health. As a provincial implementation support team, SMH-ON provides leadership, resources, implementation coaching and a community of practice in order to promote the uptake, scaling, and sustainability of evidence-based, implementation-sensitive, culturally responsive practices in school mental health. SMH-ON serves the 72 English and French school boards in Ontario, remote school authorities, and provincial demonstration schools. The team works alongside the Ministry of Education and has a role within the wider system of care, linking with partner ministries and organizations to advance child and youth mental health.
We are currently hiring for the role of Implementation Support Coach and Portfolio Consultant. The successful candidates will provide implementation coaching to assigned Ontario school boards, drawing on established protocols, benchmarks, and expectations. Implementation Support Coaches typically serve 6-10 boards in a region alongside partner coaches. At this time, we are seeking experienced, equity-minded school mental health professionals and/or system leaders who have demonstrated proficiency in school-based mental health service delivery and related supervisory experience. There are several contract roles available, some part-time and others requiring more time commitment. Secondment from Ontario school boards would be considered.
Implementation Support Coaches also carry portfolio responsibilities. At this time, the following portfolio areas require dedicated support:
- Newcomer mental health
- Addictions prevention and support
- Learning and training (SMH professionals, student support staff, system/school leaders)
- Cross-sectoral collaboration and system partnership
- Measurement-based care
Applicants should highlight in their application, strengths in their qualifications and experiences that would equip them to contribute to a portfolio in one or more of the areas noted.
At SMH-ON, we recognize diversity as a source of organizational strength. We are actively seeking applications from those who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing student mental health with a clear focus on human rights, and on reducing disproportionality and disparity in outcomes. Those with experience in serving racialized communities, and those with identities that have been historically/presently disadvantaged and marginalized, will bring particular assets that are highly valued within the team.
This role includes, but is not limited to:
- Provide implementation coaching support to assigned Ontario school boards in the area of student mental health, primarily through consultation with the Superintendent with responsibility for mental health and Mental Health Leader in each assigned board. This includes, for example:
– helping board mental health leadership teams to create and execute a robust mental health and addictions strategy and action plan that is contextualized for the needs of students they serve, and aligned with PPM 169 expectations,
– guiding boards in selecting, implementing, and monitoring evidence-informed, identity-affirming mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention programming,
– supporting boards with the application of professional learning and training in the area of school mental health across a range of audiences,
– encouraging uptake of Ontario-specific classroom resources, including educator, student, and parent/caregiver mental health literacy offerings and wellness resources,
– encouraging uptake of evidence-informed prevention and early intervention protocols for school clinicians,
– helping boards and their communities to plan and implement steps towards enhancing their local system of care, following the Right Time, Right Care vision.
– assisting boards to customize provincial resources for the local context and the students served, ensuring that programming is reflective and responsive to the needs every student, and particularly those who are racialized and marginalized,
– assisting boards with measurement and monitoring related to the board mental health and addictions strategy and action plan and related initiatives,
– providing ongoing implementation support, troubleshooting, and crisis response. - Support provincial mental health leadership meetings designed to assist with consistency and cross-board sharing across the Ontario-wide community of practice related to school mental health leadership.
- Coordinate and facilitate regional learning and peer networking meetings alongside other Implementation Support Coaches serving the region, with a view to creating space for dialogue and learning related to locally relevant priorities.
- Promote the use of the Identity Affirming School Mental Health Frame. Work with leaders who represent specific populations, with particular emphasis on historically disadvantaged groups, to identify and introduce identity/intersectionality-specific mental health supports, and/or to adapt existing protocols, with a view to ensuring that services meet the needs of students who may experience racism, marginalization, or oppression.
- Attend regular SMH-ON team meetings, and Implementation Support Coaching rounds, to contribute to consistency of coaching practice across the province. Complete tracking forms and other administrative tasks. Support ongoing projects related to uptake and implementation of high-yield programming and resources.
- Lead an assigned portfolio in one or more of the designated areas (e.g., newcomer mental health, addictions prevention and support, learning and training, system collaboration, measurement-based care). This involves resource development using co-design processes, professional learning and training activities, and subject matter consultation.
Qualifications:
- Regulated mental health professional in good standing with an Ontario professional college (e.g., CPO, OCSWSSW, CRPO), registered to practice with children, youth and families, with a minimum of Masters-level education in social work, psychology, or other health/social service discipline OR Director or Superintendent of Education with extensive and varied experience within the Ontario school system. Strong professional background that includes expertise in mental health and understanding of intersections with equity and identity.
- At least five years of experience working within a school board setting in the role of school mental health professional in a management capacity or as a school system leader with supervisory responsibility related to student mental health and wellness. Experience working in northern school boards is considered an asset.
- Evidence of effective consultation, coaching and facilitation skills. Proficient use of systems thinking and organizational change management techniques. Demonstrated understanding of implementation science, and its application to school mental health.
- Demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, inclusion, anti-racism, respect and social justice. Experience in serving racialized communities, and those with identities that have been historically/presently disadvantaged and marginalized is considered an asset. Commitment to evidence-informed, identity affirming, culturally-responsive, and youth-engaged approaches to clinical service in schools.
- Strong subject matter expertise in the portfolio areas highlighted in the candidate’s application. This includes fluency with related research and practice considerations, and good understanding of priority areas within these portfolios.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Bilingualism (French, English) is considered an asset.
- Strong initiative and ability to work independently. Demonstrated experience working with colleagues in a team environment. Proven ability to work in collaborative ways with community partners and various stakeholders. Excellent relationship-building skills.
- Skilled in Microsoft Office suite (including OneDrive, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint), as well as the ability to learn new programs quickly and comfort and ability with a range of web-based virtual meeting programs.
- Access to a vehicle and ability to travel to in-person coaching meetings as required.
Deadline for submission is4:00 p.m. on June 26, 2024.
Please apply to:hr@smho-smso.ca(Include the position title you are applying for in the subject line of your email).
Applicants are thanked in advance for their interest; however, only those who have been short-listed for an interview will be contacted. Accommodation for applicants is available in the recruitment process. All interviews will be held virtually by web meeting.
