ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Big Worries Strong Spirit is a free early intervention program designed to support Indigenous families with children aged 3-12 who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety, referred to as “big worries.” The program is delivered virtually throughout British Columbia. Big Worries Strong Spirit was created in partnership with an Indigenous Advisory Group called Caring in All Direction and the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. Today, the program is run, refined, and enhanced by an all-Indigenous staff consisting of a Resident Elder, Registered Clinician, Parent/Caregiver Support Coaches, Program Manager, Program Leader, and an Intake Coordinator, with collaboration with contracted Indigenous organizations when needed.
Big Worries Strong Spirit is an Indigenous support, coach-facilitated program for parents and caregivers that provides practical, Indigenous-informed, evidenced-based tools and strategies to help children navigate and manage anxiety in everyday life. The program centers parents and caregivers as the primary agents of change within their families, recognizing and strengthening their existing knowledge, skills, and resilience. By building confidence and enhancing practical tools, the program empowers parents and caregivers to support their children in managing anxiety in ways that are consistent, culturally respectful, and supportive.
To learn more about the program please visit: www.bigworriesstrongspirit.ca
ABOUT THE JOB
Reporting to the Big Worries Strong Spirit Manager and working closely with the program’s Clinician, the Intake Coordinator position acts as the first official contact for referred parents/caregivers, assesses program eligibility based on an adapted screening tool and an over-the-phone culturally respectful interview process, and helps parents/caregivers find additional supports and resources where needed. The Intake Coordinator also works closely with the Big Worries Strong Spirit Parent/Caregiver Support Coaches through executing biweekly intake updates and case formulations, assigning and scheduling program eligible families to Coaches, and registering families on the program’s activity and video portal.
This integral position also contributes to program monitoring, support, and development, including and not limited to data collection and entry related to referrals, family feedback surveys, and participating in collaborative discussions about how the program can continuously adapt to meet the needs of the families that we serve.
Finally, where necessary, the Intake Coordinator liaises with referral agents which include Counsellors, School Counsellors, Elders, Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Indigenous Child and Youth Mental Health Clinicians, Early Childhood Educators, Family/Youth Support Workers, or other service providers as needed.
Foundations:
- Cultural safety and respect; centering the strengths and wellness practices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit people, families and communities.
- Cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches for managing big worries/anxiety.
- Upholding collaborative, solution-focused, and relationally accountable ways of interacting with team members, clients, and inter and intra-organizationally.
Values:
- Respects the knowledge sovereignty and diversity of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures.
- Centers Indigenous families and their own approaches to and practices of wellness
- Utilizes cognitive behavioral therapeutic approaches through a lens of Indigenous cultural humility and safety.
- Commitment to working with families where dignity and strengths are upheld.
- Ability to practice from a supportive, decolonial, inclusive, and flexible foundation.
- Understanding the significance of using a colonially aware social justice lens when working with Indigenous families who are experiencing challenging circumstances.
- Ongoing collaboration within a team environment
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assesses referral eligibility while working in consultation with the staff Registered Clinician.
- Ensures that parents/caregivers and referral agents are served in a timely manner according to the program protocols and policies.
- Executes parent/caregiver coach assigning
- Connects families to culturally safe and appropriate resources and service providers, as needed.
- Consults with program supervisors when case concerns arise.
- Creates regular reports and contributes to monitoring processes related to intake.
- Regularly presents intake related updates and coach assigning during team clinical support round meetings.
- Maintain accurate and professional records and documentation that are clear, culturally safe, trauma-informed, and respectful.
- Participate in periodic program outreach initiatives as a member of the team.
- Participates in team training opportunities.
- Apply the Agency’s Diversity Lens and Framework for Support in all assignments associated with this role.
- Follow legislation, polices, and First Nation, Métis, and Inuit guidelines that support program delivery such as:
o The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action
o Jordan’s Principle
o Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, BC
o United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
o BC Child, Family and Community Service Act
o Federal Act Section 92- part vi, Constitution Act 1867
o Aboriginal Policy and Practice Framework in British Columbia
o Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, BC (FIPPA/FOIPA)
Performs additional related duties as required.
ABOUT YOU:
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in child and youth care or other related fields working with families and children with preference given to specialized Indigenous family and community-oriented programs.
- Workplace training in administering mental health related screening and interviewing.
- Workplace training in professional and human-centered case documentation.
- Prefer approximately 3 years of relevant experience.
- An equivalent combination of training, education, and experience will be considered.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Knowledge of and experience with BC First Nations, Métis, and Inuit perspectives relating to cultures, histories, and knowledge systems.
- Knowledge of Indigenous wellness and healing practices within the context of affirmation and supporting diverse families throughout their wellness journey’s.
- Knowledge of child development, including from Indigenous worldviews.
- Knowledge of and experience with adult learners from an Indigenous context.
- Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations (such as mixed families, 2SLGBTQIA+, and other intersectionalities) in an inclusive and respectful way.
- Knowledge of intergenerational and ongoing local, provincial, and national impacts of colonial policies and practices on Indigenous people in Canada.
- Understanding of governmental institutions and related agencies and how they can impact and influence the contexts of Indigenous families and children and their experiences of big worries/anxiety.
- Demonstrated oral communication and interpersonal skills, with active and empathetic listening being an asset.
- Ability to receive, integrate, and provide constructive feedback.
- Strong computer literacy skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office software and comfort with multi-media and digital applications.
- Effective time management and coordination skills.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with other team members.
Experience:
- Experience working with Indigenous parents/caregivers, families, and children in a supportive role.
- Understanding of Indigenous peoples lived experiences of wellness and well-being.
- Understanding of Indigenous peoples lived experiences of mental illness concerns and challenges.
- Experience using computer programs such as MS Outlook, Teams, and Word.
- Experience with mental health screening and interviewing is an asset.
- Experience with telephone and virtual-based service delivery is an asset.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This is a full-time position with a 37.5-hour work week. Regular business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- This position is open to candidates around the province of BC, and the job can be done remotely in BC. Our office is located at CMHA BC Division office in downtown Victoria.
- The Intake Coordinator is unionized through the Health Sciences Association of B.C with the Health Science Professionals bargaining unit. The hourly rate is between $44.85 - $56.02.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit your resume along with a cover letter, in PDF format, clearly documenting how you satisfy the requirements outlined in this job posting to https://cmhabc.bamboohr.com/careers/107 by 5:00 p.m. on August 29, 2026.
We regret that only short-listed candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.
CMHA, BC Division is committed to our workforce reflecting the diversity of the communities within which we work. As such, we encourage applications from persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people, people of all sexual orientations and genders, and others who may contribute to the diversity of our staff. Personal experience with mental illness and or addiction, either through self or a loved one, is an asset.
ABOUT US:
Founded in 1918, The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is a national charity that helps maintain and improve mental health for all Canadians. As the nation-wide leader and champion for mental health and addiction, CMHA helps people access the community resources they need to build resilience and support recovery from mental illness and/or addiction.
We respectfully acknowledge xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Lkwungen (Songhees) and Wyomilth (Esquimalt) peoples on whose traditional, unceded lands the CMHA BC offices are located
