About the Black Health and Social Services Hub

RootsCS is partnering with LAMP Community Health Centre (LAMP CHC) and the Canadian Mental Health Association Peel Dufferin (CMHA Peel Dufferin) to design, develop and implement an integrated health and social services hub with and for the Black, African and Caribbean (BAC) communities in Peel Region.

The Black

Health and Social Services Hub (BHSS Hub) will provide primary health, mental health, addiction and social services programs that will holistically address BAC communities' physical, mental, social and cultural needs, and seek to eliminate disparities and inequities. To achieve our goals, we are recruiting people passionate about delivering culturally relevant, responsive and affirming care that will inspire individuals to improve their well-being.

The Position The Interprofessional Primary Care Team (IPCT) serves Black communities in Brampton (L4T, L6S, L6T, L6V) and northwest Etobicoke (M9V, M9W). Through a partnership between Roots Community Services, LAMP Community Health Centre, and CMHA Peel Dufferin, the IPCT brings together family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, mental health clinicians, social workers, and system navigators to deliver coordinated, wraparound care through shared care planning, centralized intake, integrated service pathways, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, the team is committed to advancing health equity, reducing barriers to care, and improving health outcomes for Black communities.

The Community Health Ambassador serves as a trusted frontline representative responsible for promoting health equity, strengthening community connections, and improving access to culturally-responsive health information and services for Black, African, Caribbean, and underserved communities.

This role leads community outreach, health education, awareness campaigns, and resource navigation by building trusted relationships with residents, community organizations, businesses, and faith-based institutions. The Community Health Ambassador plays a critical role in addressing health disparities, reducing barriers to care, dispelling misinformation, and connecting individuals and families to appropriate health and social supports.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal teams, healthcare partners, and community stakeholders to deliver evidence-informed health promotion initiatives, support community engagement efforts, maintain accurate program documentation, and contribute to the continuous improvement of programs that advance equitable health outcomes

● Term of Work: Contract until March 31, 2027 (renewable based on funding and performance)

● Reports to: Manager, Social Services

● Compensation: $28- $30 per hour plus benefits

● Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Job Responsibilities

- Social Services and Community Ambassador Expectations

Social Services staff and Community Ambassadors play a critical role in bridging community members to the IPCT and ensuring that social and structural barriers do not prevent access to care. Their role extends beyond outreach and referral to active engagement, navigation, follow-up, and connection to appropriate IPCT services. A key priority is attachment to primary care. Social Services and Community Ambassadors are expected to proactively identify community members who are unattached or experiencing gaps in primary care and support their connection to an appropriate IPCT primary care provider. This includes facilitating intake, supporting completion of required processes, addressing barriers to access, and following up to confirm that the client has successfully connected to care.

Expectations include

- Identify and engage Black community members who are unattached to primary care or experiencing barriers to accessing ongoing care.
- Prioritize primary care attachment as a core outcome of community engagement, outreach, social service intervention, and navigation.
- Warmly hand off and actively navigate clients into IPCT services rather than relying solely on passive referrals.
- Complete follow-up to determine whether the client successfully accessed primary care and address barriers when connection has not occurred.
- Identify social determinants of health—including housing, income, food security, transportation, immigration, employment, family and legal concerns—that may impede access to or continuity of primary care.
- Connect clients to social and mental health supports within the IPCT and broader community service system as part of an integrated care plan.
- Support shared care planning by contributing relevant social-context information,



with appropriate consent and privacy considerations.
- Strengthen continuity of care by maintaining communication across disciplines and supporting clients through transitions between community, primary care, mental health, and social services.
- Use community knowledge and relationships to identify populations experiencing unmet needs and inform proactive outreach strategies.
- Track and document outcomes, including outreach, successful primary care attachment, referrals, service connections, follow-up, and unresolved barriers.

The expectation is that community engagement functions as an entry point into sustained care, not an endpoint. The IPCT will therefore measure success not only by the number of people reached, but by the extent to which engagement results in meaningful connection to primary care, social services, mental health supports, and ongoing coordinated care. 2. Primary Care Attachment as a Shared Accountability

Primary care attachment is a shared responsibility across the IPCT, with Social Services and Community Ambassadors serving as an important bridge between community members and the primary care system. This approach recognizes that health equity requires more than making services available; it requires actively supporting people to overcome the social, systemic, and structural barriers that prevent them from accessing and remaining connected to care.

- Community Outreach & Engagement
- Conduct proactive outreach to individuals, families, businesses, faith-based organizations, and community groups to increase awareness of public health initiatives and available community resources.
- Build and maintain trusting relationships with community members through culturally responsive, respectful, and strengths-based engagement.
- Serve as a visible and approachable representative of Roots Community Services within the Region of Peel.
- Identify barriers affecting access to health and social services and work collaboratively with community partners to address emerging needs.
- Participate in community events, outreach activities, health fairs, and local initiatives to increase community awareness and engagement.
- Health Promotion & Education
- Deliver culturally relevant health education sessions that improve community knowledge of public health issues, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle practices.
- Educate community members on public health guidelines, infection prevention measures, and strategies that promote individual and community well-being.
- Develop and facilitate presentations, workshops, information sessions, and outreach campaigns in community settings, businesses, schools, faith organizations, and other public venues.
- Create opportunities for meaningful dialogue that encourages informed decision-making and promotes positive health behaviours.
- Public Health Awareness
- Communicate accurate, timely, and evidence-based public health information using language and approaches that are culturally appropriate and easy to understand.
- Promote awareness of vaccination programs and other public health initiatives by addressing questions, concerns, and barriers to participation.
- Dispel myths and misinformation through education, community conversations, and trusted relationship-building.
- Support public health campaigns by distributing educational materials, resources, and protective equipment as required.
- Community Resource Navigation
- Assess individual and family needs during outreach activities and connect community members with appropriate health, social, housing, employment, settlement, mental health, and other community supports.
- Provide information on available community programs and assist individuals in navigating services that meet their needs.
- Follow up with community members when appropriate to encourage continued access to supports and services.
- Partnership Development
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with healthcare providers, local businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations.
- Represent Roots Community Services at community meetings, partnership tables, and collaborative initiatives.
- Support the development of new outreach opportunities that strengthen community engagement and expand service reach.
- Program Delivery & Evaluation




- Assist in the planning, implementation, and delivery of community health promotion initiatives and outreach activities.
- Collect community feedback to identify emerging issues, service gaps, and opportunities for program improvement.
- Contribute to the ongoing development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of programs and services.
- Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and organizational initiatives as required.
- Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of outreach activities, client interactions, referrals, and program outcomes.
- Complete required documentation, reports, data collection, and administrative tasks in accordance with organizational policies and funder requirements.
- Ensure all records are maintained in compliance with privacy legislation and organizational standards.

Skills and Qualifications:

- Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Social Services, Community Development, Public Health, Health Promotion, Community Health, Human Services, or a related discipline. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
- Minimum of two (2) years of experience (paid or volunteer) working with vulnerable, marginalized, or underserved populations in a community-based setting.
- Experience delivering community outreach, health promotion, public education, or community engagement initiatives is strongly preferred.
- Experience working within the non-profit, healthcare, social services, or community development sector is considered an asset.

Community Knowledge & Cultural Competence

- Demonstrated knowledge of the Black, African, and Caribbean (BAC) communities and the social, cultural, and systemic factors impacting health and well-being within the Region of Peel.
- Strong understanding of anti-Black racism, social determinants of health, health inequities, and barriers affecting access to health and social services.
- Demonstrated ability to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and equity-focused services.
- Knowledge of local health, social, settlement, housing, employment, and community resources available to individuals and families within the Region of Peel.
- Ability to establish trust and build meaningful relationships with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, linguistic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Skills & Competencies

- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills with the ability to engage individuals from diverse communities.
- Strong facilitation and public speaking skills with experience delivering workshops, presentations, and community education sessions.
- Demonstrated conflict resolution, problem-solving, and de-escalation skills with the ability to manage sensitive or challenging situations professionally.
- Strong organizational, time management, and documentation skills with attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and experience using electronic documentation systems or databases is an asset.

Language Requirements

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Fluency in French (spoken and written) is considered a strong asset.
- Additional languages commonly spoken within Black, African, and Caribbean communities are considered an asset.

Other Requirements

- Valid Ontario Class G Driver's License and access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance for community outreach activities is strongly preferred.
- Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on program and community needs.
- Successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of employment.
- Satisfactory professional references.
- Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Roots Community Services, including equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and culturally responsive service delivery.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and adhering to professional and organizational ethical standards.

Please forward your resume and cover letter addressed to the Manager, People and Culture, by email to with the subject line Community Health Ambassador– BHSS. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We thank all who apply for this position; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.00-$30.00 per hour

Benefits

- Dental care
- Paid time off

Experience:
- Case Worker: 2 years (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Brampton, ON L6W 3J3

📌 Community Health Ambassador (Brampton)
🏢 Roots Community Services
📍 Brampton