Ontario Autism Program, Urgent Response Coordinator (Social Services)

Ontario Autism Program, Urgent Response Coordinator

Internal/External #509-2026-27

Full-Time, 35 hours/week, Permanent

LOCATION: Simcoe County, with responsibility throughout Simcoe (Office TBD)

REASON FOR RECRUITMENT: Vacancy

UNIONIZED POSITION: OPSEU Local 355

COMPENSATION:
$31.72-$35.56 per hour; $57,726-$64,724 annually

ABOUT CATULPA COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES/WHO ARE WE?

Catulpa Community Support Services is a FOCUS-accredited social services agency providing community supports to children, youth, adults, and families with special or unique needs.

In 2023 Catulpa celebrated our 50th anniversary and we continue to lead and evolve. We are proud to be a uniquely positioned case management agency with a life-spanning spectrum of programs and services.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Catulpa acknowledges that it is situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe people. The Anishinaabeg include the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi Nations, collectively known as the 3 Fires Confederacy. It should be noted that the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee Nations have also walked on this territory over time.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

This is a specialized case management function that provides, families and children/youth with Autism presenting with an urgent response with:

• A clear point of contact for the Urgent Response (their Urgent Response Coordinator) and know who is accountable for developing and monitoring their child/youth’s Urgent Response Plan.
• Have a coordinated and collaborative plan that is responsive to the urgent need.
• Ensuring services are effective, well-coordinated, family-centered and responsive to the child/youth’s needs.

To provide coordination of Urgent Response Services in a comprehensive, flexible and timely manner. This will include completion of the screening tool for eligible children and youth, leading the development, monitoring and evaluation of the 12-week Urgent Response Service plan.

The Urgent Response process will be inclusive, accessible, and culturally-appropriate. It will be respectful of the values and meet the diverse needs of children, youth and their families.

STATEMENT OF MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

1. To determine eligibility by completing the province wide secondary screening tool.

• Provide service navigation for those not eligible for Urgent Response Service to support connections to other community services.

2. Developing a strengths-based Urgent Response Service Plan that addresses the service need of the child/youth, which is driven by the presenting urgent need.

• Acting as the primary point of contact for the child/youth and family regarding the Urgent Response Service.
• Provide leadership and support to the development and use of an inter-agency, inter-professional and cross-sector Urgent Response Service plan that addresses the single area of urgent need for the child/youth and family.
• Facilitating the active participation of the family and/or youth themselves in the planning, including goal setting and identification of service elements to address the goal.
• Ensuring planning is collaborative and facilitates the development of an Urgent Response plan that clearly identifies the integration of the Urgent Response service elements that are included in the plan.
• Identify and coordinate consultation with specialized services to address the area of urgent need including but not limited to arranging necessary assessments for the child/youth.
• Working collaboratively with other service navigation supports including the Independent Intake Organization Care Coordinator and Service Planning Coordinator to ensure roles and responsibilities are clearly identified and implemented and transitions for families are as smooth as possible.
• Connecting families to relevant services and other community supports/resources in Simcoe County.
• Ensuring the planning for transition from Urgent Response is included in the plan and actively discussed with the child/youth and family throughout the 12 weeks of service including the formal 6-week review.
• Monitoring, and reviewing, the Urgent Response Plan, in collaboration with the child/youth and their family and relevant providers in the children’s services, education, and health sectors, to address the urgent need.
• Being knowledgeable and available to discuss the child/youth and family’s concerns, if applicable, regarding the service plan.
• Providing leadership to the development and maintenance of a team-based approach in the development and implementation of the service response.
• Keeping informed about new resources for children with Autism or changes in service directions and sharing this information with colleagues and families.

3. To participate in professional development in consultation with manager, and to initiative in learning and developing new techniques of service delivery.

4. To participate in community and agency committees as required.

5. To adhere to all agency standards, policies, and procedures.

6. Must be aware of and adhere to Health and Safety Policy, Rules and Regulations.

7. An organized and accurate electronic clinical record will be maintained that demonstrates the provision of services, establishes accountability, and enable the evaluation of service quality for all persons served.

8. To carry out other duties as assigned.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Paid benefits (Health, Dental, LTD) and Pension Plan
• 3 weeks paid vacation per year to start (with maximum entitlement being 7 weeks)
• Paid sick days, 2 float days, and 11 statutory holidays
• Hybrid work environment where eligible staff can apply to work from an approved home location for up to 50% of their work time.
• Access to a EAP Program that offer mental health supports, resources and more
• Continuous professional development opportunities to support career growth
• A supportive and collaborative team culture that includes a number of committees with staff from a variety of departments who work together on projects and processes that enhance our culture of inclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience Level

• Post-secondary degree at a university level in one of the social or behavioral disciplines, with directly related experience (2 to 3 years) in working with children/ and families with autism.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in the Children’s Service System.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of community and clinical issues relating to areas considered a priority, e.g. Neurodevelopmental conditions or acquired brain injury, Complex Mental health, Co-occurring chronic physical health conditions, Positive behaviour approaches, social and system planning, children with complex sensory needs, and Indigenous issues.
• Knowledge of family systems theory and an understanding of the family development and functioning.
• Ability to develop co-operative relationships with clients, families, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and negotiating skills and judgment and ability to manage communication.
• Strong facilitation and negotiation skills.
• Strong collaboration approach both with families, and community teams.
• Sensitivity, understanding and ability to work with a variety of value systems, beliefs and cultures.
• Knowledge of community resources and relevant legislation.
• Working knowledge of word processing and data entry.
• A working knowledge of the French Language is beneficial.
• Capacity to work independently.
• Aware of Health & Safety Rules & Regulations.

Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle.

Date of Posting: June 11th, 2026

If you are interested in this position, please apply by June 22nd, 2026, by 4:00pm by uploading your resume.

At Catulpa, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a Strategic pillar. We are committed to building EDI through a continuous improvement approach.  We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage all qualified candidates to apply including racialized individuals, those living with disability and other members of employment equity groups included within the Ontario Human Rights Code.  Where needed, accommodations for disabilities will be made available upon request.  Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Artificial intelligence is not used in the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for this position.