Parent Advocate Lived Part-Time

Compass is a non-profit organization based in Sudbury Ontario that provides mental health and developmental services for children, youth, and families. Most programs serve individuals up to age 18, with select services available to older youth and young adults. Supports range from short-term counselling to ongoing therapy, psychological assessment, and diagnostic services. Compass is also the lead agency responsible for providing live-in treatment services for youth who need temporary residential support during significant life transitions.

The Youth Wellness Hub, is another program offered though Compass, you can learn more at

In partnership with Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Compass is launching Family Navigation Project (FNP) in Sudbury-Manitoulin, a navigation service providing expert guidance to youth ages 11 to 29 experiencing mental health and/or substance-use concerns and their families. Learn more about Sunnybrook’s Family Navigation Project here https://

Reporting to the Client Services Manager, the Parent Advocate with Lived Experience (PAL) is an integral member of the Family Navigation Project (FNP) team, providing peer support and advocacy to caregivers navigating youth mental health and addiction services. Drawing on lived experience, the PAL helps families understand mental health challenges, access available resources, build resilience, and navigate complex service systems.

This is a peer-support role, not a clinical role. Caregiver support is a non-clinical, relationship-based role that draws on lived experience to offer emotional support, validation, hope, and practical insight. We will provide training, mentorship, and ongoing support to help you share your lived experience in a way that protects your well-being and supports caregivers.

In this role, you will use your lived experience in a safe, intentional, and professional way, to help caregivers feel less alone, and support them in learning how to navigate the system and advocate for themselves. You will also bring caregiver voice into program decisions and youth-focused projects.

• Provides ongoing peer support to caregivers in collaboration with the Family Navigator, drawing on lived experience to support, empower, educate, and assist caregivers in navigating the mental health and addiction system.
• Provide information about FNP, and the nature of services for youth struggling with mental health and addiction concerns.
• Provide information to caregivers who are engaged in navigation on individual advocacy, self-help, recovery/wellness, and prevention to enhance well-being and resilience.
• Participate in team meetings to optimize resources provided to the families/caregivers and to determine whether the PAL service can be of benefit to any caregiver clients.
• Maintain regular communication with the Family Navigator to share relevant updates and support coordinated service delivery.
• Keep the client information system up to date, including timely and documentation to track all interactions with caregivers.
• Participate in external community meetings and partnership activities, representing the FNP caregiver perspective and lived-experience voice.
• Represent FNP’s lived experience perspective at mental health and addiction events (i.e. FNP annual virtual conferences, booths, and community events).
• Participate in training programs, workshops, conferences, webinars, and other professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skill.

• Proficiency in a computerized environment, including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal…