Land Acknowledgement
Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is situated on the traditional territories of the Wendat, Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, who have been the traditional caretakers of this land for thousands of years. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Treaty between the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas and Haudenosaunee that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and Peoples, Europeans and all newcomers have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship and respect. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work, and live in the community with each other.
Organizational Overview
Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre (Boost CYAC) is a registered charity that provides a range of services to children, youth and families, who have experienced abuse or violence, within the City of Toronto. We provide individual, group, family and community services that include trauma counselling, advocacy and support services during child abuse investigations, court support and accompaniment services and abuse and violence prevention materials and trainings. Boost CYAC is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, an independent, non-profit organization that offers accreditation specifically tailored to community-based health and social services across Canada.
Position Description
We are looking for a Child & Youth Advocate to provide support to children, youth and their families who are required to testify in criminal court proceedings, including but not limited to court preparation sessions, meetings/collaboration with Justice Partners and court accompaniment.
In addition, this position requires that the Advocate be approved and accept the Primary Handler designation and responsibilities for a Boost CYAC Facility Accredited Dog, appointed to the organization by National Service Dogs (NSD), a service dog organization accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI). This Facility Dog will be assigned to provide services primarily associated with court support services.
The Advocate will be required to complete an initial intensive dog handler training through NSD and must pass a public access test (PAT) prior to being placed with the assigned facility dog as a certified handler. The PAT is a standardized test required of all service dogs to ensure that any dog who is granted public access is stable, well-behaved, remains under the control of their handler, and is unobtrusive to the public.
The Advocate will take on full caretaking responsibility for the Boost CYAC Facility Dog, including but not limited to having the dog reside in their home, feeding, walking, grooming, veterinary care, training, handling, and scheduling for court support services. Expenses related to the dog will be covered by Boost CYAC. Following this appointment, and in consultation with NSD, a Secondary Handler will be identified to provide back up support to the Primary Handler with respect to dog handling and caretaking responsibilities.
This is not a clinical or therapy-based role; however, you will need a strong understanding of crisis intervention and case management. You will collaborate with police, child protection agencies, counsellors, medical professionals, crown attorneys and victim services professionals to provide a holistic service to the children, youth and their supportive families who attend the CYAC and are involved in the criminal justice system.
Special Note: Although the facility dog will reside with and be cared for by selected handlers, Boost CYAC and/or NSD maintain final decision making on the care and placement of the facility dog up until the dog is formally adopted at the end of their working career. Adoption of the facility dog is finalized in consultation with Boost CYAC and approved and carried out by NSD.
Qualifications/Skills:
- A BSW or equivalent degree or diploma preferably in the field of social work, child & youth care social services, etc.
- A minimum of three (3) years relevant work experience, preferably working directly with victims of violence, abuse and trauma.
- Ability to meet the needs of a diverse client base, through knowledge of and application of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, anti-racist and cultural competency practices.
- Understanding of the Child & Youth Advocacy Model and some experience collaborating with teams of multidisciplinary professionals (MDT) and community partners.
- Awareness of the variety of different types of traumas (e.g., sexual, physical) and trauma-experiences (e.g., race and gender-based trauma) that may be experienced by children, youth and families.
- Ability to respond to crisis situations, screen for suicidality or other high-risk concerns and develop safety plans. ASIST training is considered an asset.
- Sound knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act.
- The ability to employ self-care strategies and maintain a positive attitude in relation to potentially stressful situations.
- Excellent interpersonal, written and organizational skills and the ability to work on multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient computer skills and experience with client databases and electronic health records
- Demonstrated flexibility, judgement, initiative, confidentiality and a strong work ethic.
- Satisfactory clearance under the Vulnerable Sector Screening process.
Comfort working closing with facility dogs. Previous experience working with or being a designated primary or secondary handler for a facility dog is considered an asset.
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Responsibilities:
Court Support Services
- Provide individual court preparation session(s), with a focus on discussing fears, concerns and questions about going to court, discussing strategies to mitigate identified fears and concerns, providing information and answering questions about the criminal justice system, explaining the court process and the roles within it, and providing information about the child or youth’s role as a witness in criminal court proceedings.
- Liaise with Crown Attorney’s, Victim Witness Assistance Program, police and child protection staff to advocate for child witnesses, particularly with respect to testimonial aids and court support services.
- Conduct assessments on issues regarding children’s testimonial competency and the need for special accommodations (e.g., closed-circuit TV, remote testimony), when requested by the court.
- Provide support to children and youth by accompanying them to court and/or acting as a Designated Support Person, if required.
- Provide support to caregivers with a child/youth who is testifying in court, and provide guidance in supporting their child/youth throughout the process.
- Provide post court support including debrief meetings, assistance completing Victim Impact Statements and referrals for ongoing counselling and support services, when appropriate.
Support families in making applications to the Victim Quick Response+ Program, as required.
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Primary Handler Services
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Attend National Service Dogs training centre for handler training as required by NSD and Boost CYAC. Take part in re-certification training and complete public access tests at regular intervals, as determined by NSD.
- Adhere to proper handling of the facility dog on a daily basis and particularly during interactions with children, youth, families as well as staff and community partners.
- Receive training on and oversee implementation of proper procedures, commands and court room decorum for facility dogs.
- Maintain training for the facility dog on an ongoing basis as well as working through any challenges in consultation with the Bark (Boost Accredited Reliable K9’s) Program Lead and NSD.
- Transport the facility dog to and from work both at the office and when required to be in the community for court support services (e.g. court accompaniment, crown meetings etc.).
- Provide safe and consistent housing and care for the facility dog outside of working hours including but not limited to, caretaking, grooming & hygiene practices, walking, playing, feeding, veterinary services.
- Coordinate with Secondary and any alternate handlers; BARK Program Lead and/or NSD to meet both professional and caretaking responsibilities of the facility dog, as needed.
Plan and facilitate community speaking and training events with respect to facility dogs and court support services, in collaboration with their direct supervisor and Bark Program Lead.
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Boost CYAC is and equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the populations we serve. We encourage applications from individuals from all cultures, racialized communities, abilities, diverse sexual and gender identities and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
Boost CYAC is committed to providing accommodation in all aspects of the recruitment and hiring process under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Manager of Human Resources will work with applicants to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation at any stage of the recruitment and hiring process.
We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
