Indigenous Mental Health Engagement and Implementation Lead

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. SOAHAC provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit, and Metis within the Southwest, Waterloo Wellington and Erie St Clair regions. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. It is SOAHAC’s objective to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of an Indigenous Mental Health Engagement and Implementation Lead to join our interdisciplinary staff team to work at any one of our SOAHAC locations or the offices of De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre.

Reporting to the Executive Manager, Integrated Care and in collaboration with the De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre, the Indigenous Mental Health Engagement and Implementation Lead will be responsible for collecting community recommendations to improve the experience of Indigenous Peoples requiring and/or accessing structured psychotherapy in the Ontario Health West region. This will be accomplished through the development of a community engagement strategy; partnership development; development and implementation of an Indigenous advisory circle; and research and evaluation of best practice models of care for Indigenous Peoples.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, cultures, perspective sand health service providers is required. Familiarity and/or experience working with Indigenous communities and health organizations in the regions of Southwestern Ontario is an asset. Ability to speak an Indigenous language is an asset.

• Thorough understanding of principles and practices of Indigenous engagement is required.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Indigenous studies, Social Work, Psychology, Health Promotion, or a related social/health sciences discipline is required. A Master's degree is an asset.

• A minimum of 5 years of related engagement and community development experience, preferably in the mental health and/or social services sector.

• Excellent organizational, planning and time management skills, with the ability to multi-task, produce and coordinate projects to tight deadlines. Ability to collaborate and work on a team as well as independently.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, communication (oral/written), community engagement, and creative problem-solving abilities are required with strong facilitation experience.

• Strong knowledge of Ontario’s mental health and addiction system/services is considered an asset with a commitment to principles of equity, inclusivity, respect and social justice.

• A valid license, access to vehicle and ability to drive as regular travel across Ontario is required as related to program assignments

• Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies.

• Clean and current vulnerable sector police check as a condition of employment

• Up-to-date immunizations and records

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Responsibilities

• The role will be focused on development of a community driven and culturally safe mental health intervention program relevant for Indigenous people across the Ontario Health West region

• Identify strategies to bring together organizations, community members & Indigenous leaders with the purpose of gathering and learning how to integrate the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program into communities in a culturally safe manner

• Develop and implement an Indigenous advisory circle

• Develop an engagement plan that includes method of engagement, objective and timeline

• Conduct a review of the Indigenous populations that reside in Ontario Health West to inform the development of the engagement plan.

• Implementation of engagement plan and engagement activities such as convening groups, developing agendas, facilitating discussions and reporting on recommendations.

• Development of an OSP program model that reflects the information gathered from engagement opportunities and under the guidance of the Advisory Circle

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This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants. SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to:

Email: careers@soahac.on.ca

Subject line: Indigenous Mental Health Engagement and Implementation Lead

Or mail to: Human Resources

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre

493 Dundas Street,

London, ON N6B 1W4

Please like us on www.facebook.com/soahac to learn more about us!

We thank all those for applying but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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