York Hills, Kuumba Program

Year 2 Practicum, September 2026- April 2027

Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:

York Hills Centre is a not-for-profit community-based children’s mental health center that provides a spectrum of high-quality services to children and youth ages 0- 18 years, and their families, who live in York Region. Our assessment and treatment services include a range of dedicated professional staff that are delivering individual, family and group counselling, community and in-school clinical supports, live in treatment services, day treatment services, alternative dispute resolution, etc.

Location:

402 Bloomington Road, Aurora Ontario L4G 0L9 and/or 11225 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario L4S 1N5

Description of the practicum site and student activities:

The Student will primarily work as an integral part of the Kuumba Program, providing clinically and culturally competent care in the form of individual and group therapy modalities for children, youth and families from the African, Black and Caribbean communities. This program supports families who live in York Region and South Simcoe (ages 0- 25).  The primary focus of this role will be to address a range of mental health needs, both emotional and behavioural, and identify social-emotional symptoms that may challenge a client’s ability to function at home, school and in social settings. The student will work within an interdisciplinary team to determine intervention strategies and assessments to benefit the overall wellbeing of the client, including providing consultation and education to community partners, partner organizations, advocacy work and case management. The student will collaborate with various staff, community partners and external organizations to improve access to culturally responsive care for African, Caribbean and Black children, youth and families, including remaining knowledgeable on current and emerging research on clinical framework, including the cultural competency framework within psychotherapeutic work, and industry best practices. The student will uphold the Agency’s mission, vision and values while fostering a positive workplace environment.

As a member of the York Hills team, the student will be provided with the necessary training to complete assessment and data management responsibilities. This may include training ChYMH, EMHware, and/or a variety of Greenspace tools. 

Child and Family Therapist – Kuumba Student:

Under the direction of the Student Supervisor, the Child and Family Therapist- Kuumba Student is responsible for providing service in the following areas:

Client Service Responsibilities

• Assists in promoting and supporting the Mission, Vision, and Values statements, ensuring adherence to operational and service policies and procedures while maintaining ethical conduct.

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of ethical behaviour and professional conduct, including contributing to ensuring ethical standards are upheld and participation in quality improvement standards.

• Provides outreach, youth engagement, and community-based mental health services to children, youth and families from the African, Caribbean and Black community in a variety of settings such as the home, school, or in the community. 

• Actively develops positive rapport with clients to create psychological safety and trust through relationship-building activities and observation of the client’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

• Works collaboratively with children, youth and their families, including cross-sector service provider partners (e.g., school boards, children’s mental health services providers and other community organizations) in developing effective, strengths-based, anti-racist, anti-oppressive and culturally competent service plans.

• Under the supervision of their student supervisor, provides single session and/or rapid access psychotherapy services and groups.

• Actively manage full case load of files for clients using agency-endorsed therapy models, such as Attachment Theory, Neurobiology, Trauma, Child Development and Family Systems Theory, including family therapy and navigating referrals to internal and/or external programs.

• Under the supervision of their student supervisor, ensures the use of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatments to maintain fidelity in practicing with clients and families/caregivers.

• Ensures data entry and written documentation for each file is consistently up to date, such as completing initial client assessment, ongoing recording, and administering assessment tools following a pre-determined timeline.

• Supports the development and implementation of well-formulated assessment reports and treatment plans for clients and families that reflect the consensus of the treatment team and program goals and service plans.

• Develops and facilitates workshops, including accessible knowledge exchange activities for children, youth, families and service providers on the topics of Mental Health, Racial Trauma, Anti-Black Racism, and capacity building.

• Advocate on behalf of children, youth and families to address gaps in service identified through clinical work and demonstrate an understanding of structural racism.

Program Support Responsibilities

• Collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective communication pertaining to client treatment plan development, progress and integration.

• Participates in regular team meetings to discuss administrative, clinical and learning concerns that impact the team and/or clients, including problem-solving and providing knowledge-based sharing of industry best practices.

• Provides timely provision of reports according to internal policies and procedures, including licensing requirements and accreditation standards.

• Supports the implementation of quality assurance and evaluation processes that involve the monitoring, collection, and recording of clinical and service data, including submitting data in a timely manner and in accordance with internal policies and procedures.

• Participates in advisory committee(s), team-based projects as required to build greater capacity in resources for African, Caribbean and Black children, youth and families in York Region.

Administrative and Organizational Responsibilities

• Maintains a system of documentation and reporting that is consistent with quality assurance standards and procedures, legislation, accreditation and best practices.

• Ensures client files are maintained in accordance with quality assurance standards and procedures, legislation, accreditation and best practices.

• Builds and maintains interactions with colleagues focused on individual, team and organization success. 

• Performs work in a safe manner and adheres to the established health and safety measures of the organization. 

• Actively supports Equity, Diversity and Inclusion drivers, including fostering a welcoming and safe space, where people can expect to be treated fairly, equitably and in culturally responsive way.

• Attends and participates in required training and meetings.  

• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Ability

• Identify as a member of the African, Caribbean and Black community, with a passion for delivering culturally competent interventions, including supporting black children and youth who have experienced oppression and racism.

•          Evolving knowledge of child and youth mental health legislation and regulations, including child welfare and education systems.

•          A willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekend work.

•          Competence in modeling professionalism and maintaining a high level of confidentiality.

•          Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, including editing skills with attention to detail.

•          Evolving knowledge of child and youth development, family systems and neurobiology, including community and agency programs and services to support the transition of age youth and adults.

•          Evolving knowledge of evidence-based and evidence-informed treatment modalities, including but not limited to; Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Emotion Focused Skill Training, Emotion Focused Family Therapy, Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Based Therapy.

•          Demonstrates sound judgement related to the development of collaborative approaches working with children, youth and their families, including high-risk circumstances and safety planning.

•          Evolving knowledge of and experience utilizing suicide risk assessments and intervention skills.

•          Demonstrates versatility in the ability to work independently and collaboratively to support agency and program goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

•          MSW or Master’s level degree student.

•          Working towards registration with the appropriate governing body.

•          Ability to speak French or another language is an asset.

•          Identification with the strategic mission, vision and values of the organization.

•          Must have a valid vulnerable sector screen.

WORKING CONDITIONS

•          Available to work during core business hours, including evenings and weekends.

•          Travel requirements may involve local travel for client meetings, school meetings, partner meetings, training, and conference attendance.

•          Technology involves regular use of electronic devices and software applications. 

•          Sitting for prolonged periods of time.

•          Ability to lift, push and pull up to 20 lbs.

PLACEMENT DETAILS

Days & Hours Per Week: Monday – Friday (2 evenings per week may be required for full time student placements and 1 evening for part time students)

Job site location: 11225 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1N5, 402 Bloomington Road, Aurora, Ontario L4G 0L9 and community

Remote, On-site, Hybrid: On site.

Application Material Required: Resume, Cover Letter

Practicum Requirements:

☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check

☒ Comfort working with the population being served

☒ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served

Other requirements:

Identify as a member of the African, Caribbean and Black community, with a passion for   delivering culturally competent interventions, including supporting black children and youth who have experienced oppression and racism.

Please select Fields(s) of Study:

☒ Children and their Families

☒ Social Justice and Diversity

☒ Mental Health and Health

Does your practicum require any previous experience?

Yes, experience working with Children and Youth in the mental health field is an asset

Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?

In-person

Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?

Mix of direct and indirect

Number of practicums offered:

1

Field Instructor name and credentials:

The student in Kuumba will be supervised for all agency and site-specific aspects by Registered Psychotherapist from York Hills. An External MSW will be assigned from the Faculty of Social Work for weekly supervision. *Practicum student must be comfortable with this supervision model.*

Application deadline:

March 23, 2026.

Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?

Both.

Accessibility Considerations:

• Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? 
  • office spaces are available when needed
• Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? 
  • Some meetings may be booked back to back 
• Is the practicum considered fast-paced? 
  • Yes
• Is there a high noise level in the practicum? 
  • No
• Is the site wheelchair accessible? 
  • Yes, Community sites TBD
• What are the physical demands of the practicum?
  • Sitting for prolonged periods of time.   Ability to lift, push and pull up to 20 lbs.  
• Are there any other accessibility considerations that potential applicants with disabilities should be aware of?
  • None

If you are interested in this practicum, please send a cover letter and resume to miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca by 4pm March 23, 2026. Applications will be sent to the site.