Family Navigator

Permanent Full Time - Unionized

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 Manager of Client Services, the Family Navigator is a vital role within the Family Navigation Project (FNP) team, providing personalized, collaborative guidance and advocacy to youth ages 11–29 and their families, helping assess needs, reducing barriers, navigating mental health and addictions services, and connecting them with appropriate supports. This role will support clients located across Compass’ catchment area.

It involves a combination of in-person and virtual work and will provide personalized, culturally responsive system navigation while also engaging with community partners to build trust, strengthen referral pathways, and promote coordinated care. The role requires flexibility to work a varied schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of youth, families, and community partners.

• Use a collaborative approach to assess youth and their families’ needs, readiness for treatment and care, and barriers to accessing services. Provide personalized guidance and support to help youth experiencing mental health and/or substance-use concerns identify and access appropriate resources.
• Work to reduce barriers to access and transition to service and advocate for youth and their families across various systems to facilitate the introduction of services in a timely manner.
• Liaise with Sunnybrook research team regarding program evaluation activities and applicable research protocols.
• Meet with the youth and/or their families with the goal of collecting information on the youth’s service needs.
• Provide client orientation to FNP including discussing nature of service, the collection and storage of client data, confidentiality and limits, and obtaining informed consent prior to service initiation.
• Provide psychoeducation about mental health and substance use to support youth and their families in understanding their options and identifying appropriate supports and services.
• Maintain regular contact with youth and/or their families to understand changes in their circumstances and service needs and to support ongoing navigation.
• Participate in weekly interdisciplinary case consultations with psychiatrists and other members of the team to discuss identified clinical and treatment needs and support youth and families in making informed decisions about services.
• Explore service options based on client needs, communicate options to youth/family and support with service initiation if required.
• Deliver community presentations and outreach activities for schools, parent councils, local service providers, and community organizations to promote awareness of FNP and provide information and psychoeducation about mental health and substance-use services.
• Part…