Child & Youth Lead

Reporting to the Manager, the Child & Youth Lead provides day-to-day oversight for the licensed Child Support program, including the After School Program and youth programming within the crisis shelter and YWCA’s affordable housing, Taylor Family Home. Centered in trauma-informed, culturally responsive and developmentally appropriate practice, this role ensures that children and youth who have experienced violence, instability and trauma receive coordinated support that strengthens resilience, fosters safety, and promotes healthy development.

The Lead champions an environment where children and youth can heal, learn, grow, and importantly experience joy and connection. This work is a key contributor to YWCA’s holistic and innovative model of shelter care, ensuring integrated pathways of support for children and youth during and after their shelter stay, and strengthening outcomes across the full shelter and housing continuum.

This is a 1-year contract position based on-site at the YWCA Crisis Shelter. The schedule consists of three day shifts and two evening shifts per week, with one weekend day shift per month, flexed in consultation with the Manager. Flexibility is required to respond to emergent situations and operational staffing needs, including occasional early morning shifts.

• Truly rewarding work; contribute to lasting, positive change for individuals and our community
• A supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development
• Comprehensive benefits including an employee assistance plan
• Paid time off (for eligible roles; prorated based on start date and FTE) includes:
  • 3 weeks of paid vacation
  • 6 personal days
  • 12 sick days
  • A paid day off to celebrate your birthday

• Provide ongoing team guidance and operational oversight for the licensed child support program, including the after-school program, ensuring compliance with licensing standards, safety protocols, and organizational policies and procedures
• Deliver and model trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and developmentally appropriate care for children and youth aged 0 – 17.
• Ensuring daily programming meets emotional, social, developmental and recreational needs while allowing space for fun, creativity, and age-appropriate play
• Oversee staffing schedules, daily operations, and ratios to ensure consistent, safe, and regulatory-compliant service delivery
• Participate directly in service delivery as needed to support licensing requirements in child support and actively facilitating youth programming alongside youth programming staff
• Maintain strong communication with mothers/caregivers regarding their child’s progress, needs, safety considerations, and available supports
• Partner closely with the Outreach Child and Youth Case Managers to coordinate continuity of care for children and youth transitioning from the shelter to community or housing programs
• In collaboration with the Manager design, implement and evaluate a comprehensive programming slate for children and youth in shelter and affordable housing, aligned with best practices in trauma-informed care, child development, positive youth engagement and the outcomes of the holistic shelter model
• Co-create individualized plans or support for children and youth with more complex needs in consultation with shelter staff, outreach case managers, partners and caregivers
• Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching, mentoring and guidance to Child & Youth workers to support high-quality, trauma-informed programming
• Lead team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and ongoing professional learning opportunities to foster a cohesive and capable team culture
• Identify and communicate any concerns related to staff performance, conduct, or policy adherence to the…