Mental Health Lead

Grand Erie District School Board
Invites applications for
Mental Health Lead

Grand Erie District School Board represents more than 28,000 students in 58 elementary schools and 14 secondary schools within the City of Brantford and the counties of Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk, as well as students from Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. With a dedicated staff of more than 2,900, Grand Erie is committed to learning, leading and inspiring.


Position Overview:
The Mental Health Lead is responsible for promoting and supporting mental health initiatives within the school community. This role involves collaboration with educators, parents, and community partners to create a safe and supportive environment for students. The Mental Health Lead will implement evidence-based practices, provide training, and facilitate programs aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of students.


Responsibilities:
Program Development and Implementation

• Develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based practices that align with the Ministry of Education’s guidelines and best practices.
• Collaborate with school staff to integrate mental health awareness into the curriculum and school community.
• Develop, facilitate and support the implementation of the Board’ s Mental Health and Addictions strategy and annual action plan, along with the implementation of the Board’ s Multi-Year Strategic Plan and Annual Learning and Operating plans.
   

Training and Support

• Provide training, professional development and guidance for teachers and staff on mental health literacy, including identification, intervention, and support strategies.
• In-service Child and Youth Workers and Social Workers on program delivery, measuring and monitoring.
• Provide administrators with program overviews.
   

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Collaborate with community mental health agencies, parents, and other stakeholders to promote mental health awareness and resources.
• Liaise with Ministry, School Mental Health Ontario.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Collect and analyze data related to student mental health needs and program effectiveness
• Prepare reports and presentations for school administration and the school board regarding mental health initiatives and outcomes.
• Prepare presentations of staff and various committees.
• Ensure consistency of case management standards.

Oversight of Professional Student Services Staff

• Responsible for the performance management, clinical supervision, and organizational oversight of a team of Social Workers and Child and Youth Workers.
• Determine placements and scheduling within the board based on student need, conduct performance evaluations, and provide clinical guidance.
• Oversee the case management of complex cases that may involve other departmental areas

             or external partners.

• Coordinate Traumatic Events Response Teams (TERT) and Assessment of Risk to Others (ARTO)

Advocacy and Awareness

• Advocate for mental health awareness and destigmatization within the school community.   Organize events and campaigns to promote mental health literacy among students, staff, and parents.
• Other duties as assigned by the Superintendent of Education.

Qualifications:
To be the successful candidate, you must have a graduate degree and experience in social work, with a minimum of five years of successful, related practice.  Experience providing clinical services to children, adolescents, and/or families is required. You must be a member in good standing of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, or a comparable professional body.  You must also have excellent organizational, communication, and coordination skills, demonstrate an attention to detail and be self-directed.  

Familiarity with implementation science and demonstrated ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams and to collaborate to achieve desired outcomes are considered assets. Knowledge regarding evidence-based prevention and intervention programs and services; experience with adult learning; professional learning and training; and experience working in an educational system are also assets.

 

Job Specifications
Hours of Work	7 hours per day/35 hours per week
Rate of Pay	Hiring Range $103,028-$113,566 Salary Range $103,028-117,077 A competitive benefits plan is available through a provincial benefits trust plan (extended health, dental, life insurance, AD&D). OMERS pension plan. Flexible summer schedule.
Effective Date	As soon as can be mutually arranged
Supervisor Title	Superintendent of Education
Is this an existing vacancy?	Yes
Apply to	Applicants may apply by clicking the apply button below by March 6, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

All submissions are to include a complete cover letter, resume, qualifications, and the names of three (3) professional references at least one of which must be a current supervisor (one document if submitted electronically). All new employees are required to provide an original Police Record Check (which includes a “vulnerable sector search”) acceptable to the Board prior to the commencement of employment.

Applicants with a disability that requires an accommodation to enable their participation in the interview process should advise the Board when contacted for an interview. Any assessment and selection materials and processes used in the interview process can be made available in an accessible format, upon request in advance.

All submissions are subject to a screening process and some applicants may not be granted interview.

Grand Erie District School Board recognizes Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as the longstanding peoples of this territory. We honour, recognize, and respect these communities as well as all First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples who reside within Grand Erie District School Board. We are all stewards of these lands and waters where we now gather, learn, and play, and commit to working together in the spirit of Reconciliation.