Project Lead- Transitional Aged Youth Capacity Building

PROJECT LEAD - TRANSITIONAL AGED YOUTH CAPACITY BUILDING

Developmental Services

One (1) Non-Unionized, Two-Year Contract, Full-Time Position 

Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm

Compensation: $43.58/hour - $48.71/hour

About Cota

Cota is an accredited not-for-profit organization that has been providing community-based support to people living with mental health and cognitive challenges for over 50 years. At present, our wide array of services delivers much needed support to over 4,000 people/year who live with mental health challenges, psychogeriatric mental health conditions, acquired brain injuries, developmental disabilities, dual diagnoses and/or the experience of homelessness. These services include, but are not limited to, case management, supportive housing and adult day program services. A full listing of our services can be viewed on our website at  https://cotainspires.ca/

Cota is presently seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to join our amazing team in the capacity of the role outlined within this posting. Followed by our mission to support individuals with mental health and cognitive challenges to live well within their communities, we strive toward a vision of a supportive, inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. If you feel you have the skills and qualifications to perform the duties of this role while consistently exemplifying Cota’s values Hope, Respect, Dedication, Equity, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation, we would love to hear from you.

Cota will be Co-Chairing a Toronto Developmental Services (DS) Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Capacity Planning Steering Committee which will aim to mobilize the creation of an actively engaged Toronto DS Adult Transfer Payment Sector committed to achieving the following desired outcomes:

• Clinical capacity within one or multiple Toronto-based adult Transfer Payment Recipients (TPRs) that is dedicated to former Children in Extended Society Care (CESC) and Complex Special Needs (CSN) adults and can provide services to them where they are presently living and as they transition to Toronto adult (TPR) settings.
• Continuous adult TPR supported living capacity building in Toronto Region to accommodate the CESC and CSN target populations noted above, in a manner which is responsive to their needs and preferences.
• Effective transitions of these CESC and CSN target populations to Toronto adult TPR settings on a continuous basis
• Culturally Safe/Responsive Solutions for Indigenous and Black individuals.

Cota will be recruiting and hosting a Project Lead - Transitional Aged Youth Capacity Building for an initial two-year term, on behalf of the sector, to oversee and coordinate the work necessary to ensure these desired outcomes are successfully achieved.

Role Overview

The Project Lead - Transitional Aged Youth Capacity Building will be employed by Cota, on behalf of the Toronto Adult Developmental Services Sector, to oversee and coordinate an intentional and proactive planning process within Toronto region for those transitional aged youth who are eligible for developmental services in Ontario and who:

• Are presently in Children in Extended Society Care (CESC); and
• Have a current Complex Special Needs (CSN) plan; and
• Were formerly CESC but were admitted to Cota’s Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) service due to the absence of other viable adult DS TPR options being available in Toronto at the time of the individual’s discharge from a Toronto-based child welfare agency, and who have expressed a desire to live in/move to Toronto; and
• Adults with a Complex Special Needs plan but were transferred to Lumenus’ adult CSN program due to the absence other viable adult DS TPR options being available in Toronto at the time of the individual’s transition to adulthood, and who have expressed a desire to live in/move to Toronto.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing prioritization frameworks, service planning coordination, culturally responsive engagement strategies and capacity-building initiatives for both clinical and housing support services within Toronto regions adult developmental services sector.

The Project Lead will align their work with guidelines provided by the TAY Developmental Services Capacity Planning Steering Committee and work within a team hosted at Cota that also includes a Director and a Data Support Assistant.

Primary Responsibilities:

The Project Lead will be responsible supporting the sector’s progress through stages of capacity contemplation, capacity creation and capacity implementation, which may involve, but not necessarily be limited to:

• Providing administrative leadership and project management support to the TAY Developmental Services Capacity Planning Steering Committee.
• Coordinating information forums for DS Service Providers relating to various affordable housing initiatives/incentives (e.g., with guest speakers from the City, etc.).
• Developing and maintaining a housing creation resource guide for DS Service Providers and post on a shared platform to be developed.
• Conducting outreach to other sectors (e.g., MH, Affordable Housing, Indigenous/Black serving) to spur collaboration/possible involvement in supporting TAY clients.
• Leading the creation of a criteria-based framework to identify and prioritize youth and adults for transition planning, particularly, TAY clients with CSN who wish to return to or remain in Toronto and CESC youth approaching adulthood who are at risk of displacement from Toronto.
• Collecting and presenting TAY client placement needs (aggregate) to DS Service Providers and posting data dashboards and non-identifying profiles on secure shared platform to be developed.
• Organize and lead collaborative planning meetings with clinical service providers and TPR’s providing housing support services.
• Support participation of key stakeholders, including TPRs, child welfare agencies, clinical providers, Indigenous and Black-led organizations, individuals with lived experience and City of Toronto.
• Coordinate and/or identify educational workshops/clinical training opportunities relevant to accommodating TAY clients.
• Supporting the development of clinical capacity within/available to Toronto adult TPRs in consultation with RPT.
• Facilitating the collection and posting of information of existing and prospective unfunded vacancies declared by adult agencies on a shared platform, to be developed.
• Assisting agencies with their resource development and TAY accommodation planning (perhaps establish a Community of Practice in this regard).
• Facilitating the gathering and exchange of information (introductions of agencies to TAY clients, and TAY clients to prospective new homes).
• Assisting agencies with their budget development and subsequent submission to MCCSS for approval.
• Overseeing the coordination of transitions and move-ins.
• Tracking the success of placements for up to six months post move-in or until funds/contract transfers to MCCSS for direct administration with TPR.
• Evaluating successes/challenges and sharing learnings with sector for continued growth.
• Reporting to the applicable Director at Cota and ensure that the Director is kept apprised of progress, maintain regular communication about the project and attend meetings with the Director as required.
• Reporting progress and making recommendations to the Toronto Developmental Services TAY Capacity Planning Steering Committee.

Other Responsibilities:

• Exemplify Cota's values through their day-to-day work
• Promote and facilitate effective communication across the organization and with external parties
• Observe Cota rules and regulations, policies, procedures, practices and current legislation, in particular, the Ontario Human Rights Code
• Comply with all Health and Safety policies and procedures to ensure every reasonable precaution is taken for the protection of workers and clients and that health and safety concerns or incidents are responded to promptly
• Work cooperatively and constructively with all Cota employees
• Ensure the confidentiality of Service User, Employee and Cota information is maintained
• Undertake other related and/or delegated duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives
• The individual must complete a Vulnerable Sector Check as a condition of an employment offer being finalized
• The individual must have access to a vehicle for work purposes, as the Project Lead may be required to travel to destinations throughout Toronto to attend in-person meetings
• The Project Lead must reside within Ontario and live within a reasonable distance from Toronto in order ensure efficiency in the completion of their work duties

Education:

• Graduate of a post-secondary education program with a degree or diploma in a relevant health care or social services field
• Project management certification will be considered an asset

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years experience in supporting individuals in developmental services and social services planning
• Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strategic thinker with strong project management skills
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, facilitation, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Developmental Services sector and community resources within Toronto region
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and meet deadlines in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal), with experience preparing reports, frameworks, and briefing materials
• Knowledge of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression (ARAO) and Trauma Informed principles and practices
• Demonstrated ability to develop new relationships and partnerships 
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively in cross-cultural settings to facilitate and implement culturally relevant programs or services
• Proficiency with various computer programs (e.g., MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both oral and written)
• Excellent organizational skills
• Effective team player
• Ability to act as a change agent
• Self-directed and creative, sound judgment and integrity
• A current understanding of the developmental service sector, including Services and Supports to Promote the Social Inclusion of Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act (SIPDDA), Quality Assurance Measures (QAM) and Journey to Belonging is considered an asset

Other:

• The majority of the working hours fall into regular business hours. Flexibility is required to attend evening and early morning meetings.
• At this time, this role has been deemed suitable for a hybrid work arrangement, provided that the individual meets ongoing performance expectations. The specific nature/schedule of remote work versus in-person requirements may be explored through collaborative discussion but must be formally approved by the applicable Director on a regular basis with formal reviews/updates occurring annually.

Application Details:

Please complete the application below before July 17, 2025 at 4:00pm. 

Cota is deeply committed to promoting diversity, advancing equity and fostering a culture of inclusion. We are respectful of each individual's dignity, unique experience, potential and protected rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code. As an equal opportunity employer, we are dedicated to ensuring our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities that we serve.

Benefits:

Upon successful completion of a three-month period of employment, permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week will be eligible for employer-paid group insurance benefits. These employer-paid benefits will include:  

• Extended health care 
• Life insurance 
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance 
• Dental care 
• Travel assistance 
• Vision care 

Permanent full-time and permanent part-time staff working more than 20 hours per week are also required to enroll in employee-paid long-term disability coverage.

Additional Information:

Interview Process: Cota may choose to conduct parts/all of the hiring process virtually. Please note that as part of maintaining an agile workforce, all Cota staff may be required to be reasonably reassigned to support the operational needs of our essential services.

 Screening Process: Please note that Cota uses AI to screen potential applicants for all roles.

We would like to thank all those that apply; however, due to high volumes of interest, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

Thank you, Cota's HR Department.

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Hope, respect, dedication, equity, accountability, teamwork, and innovation are key values of Cota. We are dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, upholding dignity, and acknowledging each person's individual contributions and potential as an equal-opportunity employer. We uphold the Ontario Human Right Code and strongly encourage applications from people of color, women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, LGBTQ2S+ people, and others who provide various viewpoints. Cota ensures an accessible hiring process in line with the AODA principles, providing accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For any accommodation requests, please contact hr_recruitment@cotainspires.ca