Manager, Therapeutic Recreation Programs

Our client is a leading children’s mental health agency in the City of Toronto offering a range of services to
3,500 children ages 0‐12, youth ages 13-18 and their families each year. They provide four streams of service to families in need: early intervention, family violence, healthy child development and specialized mental health services for children and youth with learning disabilities.

POSITION SUMMARY
Our client is seeking a Manager, Therapeutic Recreation Programs to join our dynamic Clinical team. Under the direction of the Director, Clinical Services, the successful candidate will be responsible for the clinical oversight, programming and operations of a residential summer therapeutic camp program and for centre-based therapeutic martial arts programs The role is to support Clinical Services in the delivery of evidence informed practices in our Learning Disabilities/Mental Health stream.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
▪ Provides direct supervision to ensure quality services in accordance with sound management practices and the agency approach to supervision
▪ Ensures that therapeutic practices are evidence-informed, meet ethical and professional standards, are family-centred and are congruent with the mission and direction of the agency
▪ Ensures adherence to the standards of the Canadian Centre of Accreditation for children’s mental health programs
▪ Participate in management process
▪ Ensures effective program development as appropriate
▪ Develops and maintains effective relationships with key stakeholders

CENTRE-BASED THERAPEUTIC MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAMS
Responsible for the program management and clinical oversight of the centre-based therapeutic Martial Arts
Programs for youth 12-18 and the Young Warriors Program for children 8-12. The therapeutic Martial Arts
Programs provide emotion regulation for children & youth with a diagnosed Learning Disability through the integration of therapeutic models such as CBT & mindfulness with basic martial arts instruction. The goal is to engage children and youth in a destigmatizing experiential group intervention with promotion through a Martial
Arts belt system.

• Responsibilities Include:
  ▪ Management and clinical oversight.
  ▪ Supervision of program Coordinators.
  ▪ Recruitment & hiring of Martial Arts instructors.
  ▪ Staff training & quality assurance of program delivery.
  ▪ Facilitate integration of therapeutic interventions in collaboration with Child & Family Clinicians when in treatment.

RESIDENTIAL SUMMER THERAPEUTIC CAMP PROGRAM :
Responsible for management, operations & clinical, of the residential therapeutic camp program in full operation June –August. The program is designed for children & youth between the ages of 10 and 18 who have a learning disability and experience social, emotional, mental health and/or behavioural problems. The camp provides participants with an immersive experience where they can learn to express themselves and regulate emotions through adventure-based learning programs. Sessions range from two to three weeks over the course of July and August, and the sessions are filled based on each participant’s age, maturity and fit with an appropriate group.

• Responsibilities Include:
  ▪ Provides on-site leadership & direction: management, programming & clinical
  ▪ Recruits, trains and supervises program staff.
  ▪ Supervises the Assistant Camp directors of counselling & programs.
  ▪ Plans & implements training programs for staff.
  ▪ Reviews applications, intake procedures, referral process to ensure clinically sound and fair admission of children/adolescents. Responsible for assessment, admission and follow up.
  ▪ Responsible for facilitating case reviews, reporting and treatment planning in collaboration with Child & Family Clinicians and families.
  ▪ Responsible for property maintenance, & arranging fire, health & ministry site inspections.
  ▪ Ensure safety procedures and in accordance with the standards of the Ontario Camp Association (OCA).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
▪ A University Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Therapeutic Recreation or equivalent from an accredited University with a knowledge base related to child/youth mental health, group theory and therapeutic recreation.
▪ 5+ years of experience in residential treatment and/or therapeutic recreation programs for children/youth with mental health needs.
▪ Knowledge and experience with children/youth with Learning Disabilities/Mental Health.
▪ Experience with evidence-informed therapeutic recreation-based interventions.
▪ Minimum of five (5) years management/supervisory experience.
▪ Excellent communication (written & verbal) and teamwork skills.
▪ High level of computer proficiency.
▪ Commitment to continuous learning.
▪ Sound knowledge of relevant legislation.
▪ Registration with a professional regulatory body (CRPO, OCSWSSW).