Director of Mental Health and Youth Services

The Child Development Institute (CDI) is a Canadian charity that has brought hope and built brighter futures for at-risk children and their families since 1909. CDI provides direct services to communities in Toronto and has scaled the delivery of its signature evidence-based programs across Canada and internationally through a growing network of affiliates. Built on a legacy of more than 115 years of helping children and families, CDI is an accredited mental health agency and child care provider that offers evidence-based programs across three primary service streams:

• Child and Youth Mental Health Services
• Early Years and Child Care Services

We are proud to be accredited through the Canadian Centre for Accreditation, a third-party organization that accredits Canadian social service and health care providers based on accepted practices that promote ongoing quality improvement and responsive, effective community services.

We are seeking passionate, community-minded individuals to join CDI’s volunteer Board of Directors for a two-year term. The Board provides governance oversight and strategic direction for the organization, helping to ensure that CDI continues to deliver inclusive, evidence-based services that make a meaningful difference. Directors serve on a volunteer basis and do not receive compensation or personal benefit for their service.

As a member of CDI’s Board of Directors, you will play an active role in advancing our mission to help children, youth, and families build brighter futures. Your journey will begin with two orientation sessions, including an engaging 90-minute virtual training on Board Governance led by an external expert. From there, you will serve as an informed and committed ambassador for CDI—staying connected to our programs, policies, and the communities we serve. You will champion CDI’s mission and values within your network, contribute your insights to guide strategic decisions, and ensure our work continues to reflect the diverse needs of families and stakeholders.

You will begin by lending your expertise as a community member to one of our Board committees. You are committed and have expertise in one of these four areas:

Finance (Non-Profit Accounting)

In addition to these areas of functional expertise, the Board will prioritize candidates who bring diverse backgrounds, identities and lived experiences and who reflect the communities and populations served by CDI. CDI is committed to expanding the range of perspectives that inform decisions facing the organization to broaden our impact with children, youth and families.

As a Board member and advocate for CDI’s mission, you will have the opportunity to make a real and lasting impact on the lives of children, youth, and families. Shape the future of children’s mental health and early learning by contributing your insights, expertise, and lived experience to guide CDI’s strategy and growth.

Engage with a passionate and diverse community of leaders and professionals committed to advancing inclusive, evidence-based care that responds to the evolving needs of families.

Gain exposure to innovative, science-informed programs and research, including CDI’s nationally recognized work in measurement-based care, trauma-informed practice, and early childhood development.

Contribute to governance that drives systemic change, ensuring that every child and family has access to equitable, high-quality support.

Attend all regular meetings of the Board if possible, in person or by telephone or other electronic means, with a minimum of 75% of meetings annually.

Make an annual gift personally or from an affiliated company or foundation.

Stay informed of agenda items, read all material in advance and contribute knowledgeably, through thoughtful questions and comments, to the discussion and decisions of the Board.

Participate in orientation meetings and training as a new Board member to become familiar with the corporation’s mission, goals, programs and services and the responsibilities of the Board and individual directors.

Participate in the annual Board self-review and feedback process that reflects the values and policies of the organisation.

Comply with all Board policies, including CDI’s Code of Conduct and Privacy Policy.

Declare any conflict of interest, or potential conflict of interest, including personal, professional or financial, to the Board Chair at the first available opportunity and communicate to the Board Chair and Chair of the Governance and Nominating Committee if circumstances change that might affect the “independence” of the director.

Be available to provide advice and counsel to the CEO or other senior management upon request.

Develop an understanding of corporate governance and risk management strategies.

Respect that employees and the senior management team report to the CEO and not to the Board or individual directors.

The following are required to fulfil the director’s duties and obligations:

be an ineligible individual as defined in the Income-tax Act (Canada); A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor will provide an opportunity to discuss your experience and interest in joining CDI’s Board of Directors. The conversation will be recorded using BrightHire, an AI-powered video interview tool, and additional details will be shared when you are invited to interview. Initial interviews are expected to conclude by mid-January.

A virtual interview with members of the Board. These interviews will be completed by the end of February, with final decisions communicated by mid-March

CDI is firmly committed to diversity within its community and welcomes applications from racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous People of North America and the world, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.