Program Background:
HOMEBASE is an Integrated Youth Services (IYS) model of care. IYS is a global movement, aimed at transforming how youth, young people and their families find and access the resources, services and supports they need. Saskatchewan’s model will be branded and purpose-built to fit the requirements and needs of our province and will aim to reduce existing barriers to accessing needed services, such as but not limited to mental health, primary health, cultural and social services. HOMEBASE will support youth aged 12-25, in reaching their full potential by integrating and co-locating a range of youth-targeted services and supports, using a stepped-care approach. Initial funding will support the development and operation of four HOMEBASE Youth hubs in communities across the province. HOMEBASE Youth hubs will offer a one-stop centre in the community, providing rapid access to quality, evidence-based, integrated, culturally safe, youth-targeted services and supports, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.
HOMEBASE offers a range of core services that include, but are not limited to, the following key supports:
- mental health and addiction services;
- physical health services;
- education, employment, and training supports;
- social and community services;
- youth and family peer support;
- tradition and cultural supports; and,
- other services as identified by community need.
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan has been selected to lead Integrated Youth Services (IYS) as the Backbone organization in Saskatchewan. The Backbone organization is responsible for implementing a consistent and comprehensive provincial IYS model, as well as establishing and fostering collective and strategic partnerships. It is also responsible for providing leadership, provincial direction, and ongoing support for long-term operation of four physical IYS sites in Saskatchewan in addition to virtual services.
Job Summary:
The John Howard Society of Saskatchewan is seeking an experienced Clinical and Service Innovation Lead to join our HOMEBASE Backbone Team. As a member of the Backbone Team, the Clinical and Service Innovation Lead will provide clinical leadership and direction to a network of HOMEBASE hubs while fostering a Mental Health & Addictions community of practice among hubs. This position will establish and ensure consistent implementation of a core services framework, and implementation of service innovation, while being responsible for ensuring continued collaboration and securing commitment of strategic partners in the delivery of services and programs. Working closely with the IYS Backbone Team, IYS oversite committee, and IYS Youth Co-Design Team, this role is responsible for planning, designing, implementing, monitoring, and improving clinical and service delivery approaches that are youth‑centred, evidence‑based, and culturally responsive. The position also provides leadership in evaluation, quality assurance, quality improvement, service innovation, and research‑informed practice across the Saskatchewan IYS network.
Duties:
- Reporting to the Director of IYS and working closely with HOMEBASE Backbone Team, the responsibilities of this position will include the following:
- Provide clinical consultation, coaching, and reflective supervision to clinicians and service providers, consistent with professional standards and regulatory requirements.
- Support the development and strengthening of clinical assessment, triage, risk identification, and care planning processes across IYS sites.
- Build and sustain strong relationships with government, health system partners, and community agencies to support integrated service delivery.
- Act as a liaison between IYS sites and system partners to support alignment with provincial priorities and health system expectations.
- Support the development and implementation of clinical guidelines, tools, and practices that promote consistency and evidence‑informed care across sites.
- Assist IYS sites in navigating the health and social service system to improve access, coordination, and continuity of care for youth and families.
- Identify emerging gaps, pressures, and system challenges and work collaboratively to support coordinated, system-level responses.
- Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across sites to strengthen service delivery and continuous improvement.
- Support consistency and alignment in service delivery while respecting the professional autonomy and regulatory obligations of clinicians.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education, Training, and Experience:
- A level of education, training and experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in a Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or other relevant health care field plus a minimum of five years of successful, increasingly senior or diverse clinical and leadership experience.
- Experience in developing and leading clinical innovation and service delivery framework for youth and young adults.
- The candidate will meet qualifications for membership with their professional body.
- The ideal candidate would have experience providing leadership to a network/community of practice and understanding of varied service delivery models, including virtual care.
- Research, and strong health sector partnerships within Saskatchewan are considered assets.
Knowledge, Skills, and Assets:
- Knowledge of health care and systems/ service delivery models.
- Understanding of prevention and early intervention
- Knowledge of provincial government and government ministry decision-making processes.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, policies, programs and services.
- Knowledge of providing care in communities which include rural, community and specialized centres including an understanding of the demographic/ cultural aspects of these communities.
- Demonstrated ability to create and implement novel and innovative approaches which have reduced barriers to care.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change, inspiring and engaging others and promoting change behaviours.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing including advanced report presentation and writing skills.
- Effective facilitation skills and the ability to motivate and influence practitioners, clinicians, health sector stakeholders, leaders, clients and other key stakeholders.
- Advanced skills in complex problem solving, planning, project management, change management and group process.
- Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, critical thinking and effective decision-making.
- Ability to critically assess policy and procedures and affect change.
- Ability to respond to changing priorities and unforeseen circumstances.
- Ability to provide leadership, guidance and direction to a network of IYS sites, staff and within a leadership team.
- Ability to effectively manage budget and resources.
- Strong time- and project-management skills, with an ability to effectively respond to complex and competing priorities in a large-scale, collaborative initiative.
- Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work, at times in fast-based or changing environments.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others to produce effective deliverables.
- Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Teams, Excel, Word, SharePoint, etc.), virtual meeting software, and other applications relevant to the position.
JHSS Workplace Culture and Accountabilities:
As part of the JHSS Leadership Team, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Cultivating a positive workplace culture and contributing to JHSS’s goal of being an employer of choice among Saskatchewan non-profits.
- Promoting excellent communication and unity between programs, locations, and our provincial office.
- Assisting in the training and empowerment of frontline leaders to have more control over program budgets, staffing, reporting, and deliverables.
- Work with JHSS’s Leadership Team to analyze, develop, and implement consistent operational processes and procedures that align with JHSS’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan.
Additional Information
The above statements reflect general details considered necessary to describe the principal functions of the job and shall not be construed as the detailed description of all work assignments that may be inherent to the position.
Your past doesn’t need to define your future. JHSS requires a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check for all eligible employees, though the presence of a criminal record will not alone preclude employment and will be investigated to determine the circumstances and the relevance of the convictions for the position being considered in accordance with any applicable legislation.
