Child/Youth and Family Advocacy & Navigation Specialist Position Summary

The Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) is seeking a compassionate, experienced, and adaptable Child/Youth and Family Advocacy & Navigation Specialist to support children, youth, and families impacted by abuse, violence, exploitation, or crime.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide trauma-informed advocacy, support, case coordination, system navigation, and referrals. The Specialist works directly with children, youth, and caregivers and collaborates with WECYAC's multidisciplinary and community partners to help families understand and navigate the systems involved in their case and access the supports they need.

Experience working directly with children and youth is essential. Just as important is the right mindset. We are looking for someone who is compassionate, dependable, adaptable, willing to learn, and comfortable taking initiative. The successful candidate must understand how trauma can affect children, youth, and families and be able to build trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

WECYAC operates with a small, collaborative team where every staff member has a primary area of responsibility while also contributing to the broader work of the organization. All team members are expected to contribute toWECYAC's strategic priorities, support one another, and step in where needed as organizational priorities evolve.

This position is best suited to someone who values teamwork, takes ownership of their responsibilities, shows initiative, and is comfortable contributing beyond a defined list of duties when needed.

Key ResponsibilitiesChild/Youth and Family Advocacy & Navigation

- Provide trauma-informed, child- and youth-centred advocacy and navigation support.
- Build safe, respectful, and supportive relationships with children, youth, and caregivers.
- Initiate and maintain contact with families during and following investigations, providing information, guidance, and emotional and practical support.
- Assess the needs of children, youth, and families and identify appropriate services, resources, and supports.
- Help families understand and navigate police, child welfare, healthcare, mental health, victim services, court, and other systems.
- Connect children, youth, and families with appropriate community services and make referrals as required.
- Serve as a liaison between families, multidisciplinary team members, and community service providers while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Provide ongoing case management, advocacy, navigation, and follow-up based on the individual needs of children, youth, and families.
- Assist families with forms, applications, resources, and other practical supports.
- Maintain accurate, timely,



and confidential case documentation and service records.
- Maintain strict confidentiality and follow WECYAC policies, procedures, and professional standards.

Strategic Priorities & Shared Responsibilities

At WECYAC, each employee has a primary role, but our work is shared. In addition to their core advocacy and navigation responsibilities, the Specialist will contribute to WECYAC's strategic priorities and the overall work required to strengthen and sustain the organization.

Depending on organizational priorities and emerging needs, this may include:

- Taking responsibility for assigned projects or activities connected to WECYAC's strategic priorities.
- Supporting WECYAC programs, service improvements, and new initiatives.
- Participating in community outreach, education, awareness, and partnership-building activities.
- Supporting fundraising initiatives, community events, campaigns, and donor engagement.
- Assisting with data collection, program evaluation, grant deliverables, and organizational reporting.
- Helping develop resources and information for children, youth, families, and community partners.
- Participating actively in staff meetings, multidisciplinary meetings, training, and professional development.
- Supporting colleagues during periods of increased workload or changing organizational priorities.
- Contributing to the day-to-day activities required to operate an effective community-based nonprofit organization.
- Performing other reasonable duties that support WECYAC's mission and strategic priorities.

Required Qualifications

- Diploma or degree in Social Work, Child and Youth Care, Social Service Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
- Minimum five years of relevant experience, including direct experience working with children and youth.
- Experience supporting children, youth, or families who have experienced trauma, abuse, violence, crime, or other difficult circumstances is strongly preferred.
- Experience in advocacy, case management, system navigation, family support, or community-based services.
- Strong knowledge of community programs, social services, and resources available to children, youth, and families.
- Ability to assess individual and family needs and identify appropriate supports and referrals.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
- Demonstrated empathy, patience, active listening, cultural sensitivity, and sound professional judgment.
- Strong organizational, documentation,



and time-management skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and follow through on commitments.
- Ability to work independently while being an active and dependable member of a collaborative team.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and willingness to learn case-management and other digital systems.

The Mindset We Value

Skills and experience are significant, but how you approach the work matters just as much.

We are looking for someone who:

- Keeps the needs and experiences of children and youth at the centre of their work.
- Approaches children, youth, and families with compassion, dignity, patience, and without judgment.
- Takes ownership of their responsibilities and follows through.
- Shows initiative and is comfortable identifying what needs to be done rather than always waiting for direction.
- Adapts when priorities change or unexpected needs arise.
- Is willing to learn, grow, and contribute outside their primary area of responsibility when needed.
- Works collaboratively, shares information, and supports colleagues.
- Communicates openly and respectfully.
- Is receptive to feedback and willing to reflect on and improve their practice.
- Remains calm, thoughtful, and professional in difficult or emotionally challenging situations.
- Understands the importance of confidentiality, professional boundaries, accountability, and trust.
- Recognizes that in a small organization, everyone contributes to our shared success.

Availability

The position primarily operates during regular weekday hours. Some evening or weekend work may occasionally be required to support children and families, community activities, organizational events, or other WECYAC priorities.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

WECYAC is committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace. We welcome applications from qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and identities.

How to Apply

If you have strong experience working with children and youth, believe in supporting children and families through difficult circumstances, and enjoy working in a collaborative environment where everyone contributes, we encourage you to apply.

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position to [email protected] by October 1, 2026.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00-$26.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

- Dental care
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Flexible language requirement:

- French not required

Licence/Certification:

- First Aid Certification (preferred)

Work Location: In person

📌 Child/Youth and Family Advocacy and Navigation Specialist (Canada)
🏢 Windsor Essex Childu002FYouth Advocacy Centre
📍 Canada