Zulaikhah Boachie
Kelowna,Canada
Summary
Child and family specialist with extensive experience in trauma-informed care and community-based mental health supports. Achievements include enhancing outcomes for children and families through strategic planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Expertise in managing diverse teams and coordinating specialized programs, fostering culturally safe practices with Indigenous communities. Committed to equity and delivering high-quality, person-centered support aligned with organizational goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Practice Lead – Developmental Services
ARC Programs – Family Connection Centre
Kelowna, Canada
04.2023 - Current
- Lead strategic initiatives as part of the Management Team, aligning operational practices with the BC Education Plan, and the Board of Education Strategic Plan.
- Manage a multidisciplinary team of 11 Developmental Specialists and Child and Youth Care Counsellors, fostering inclusive and trauma-informed care practices.
- Provide clinical supervision using competency-based assessment strategies to support individuals and families with complex needs.
- Coordinate specialized programs, including the Infant Development Program and the FASD Keyworker Program, integrating functional behavior assessment, and targeted intervention strategies.
- Conduct comprehensive functional assessments (e.g., PEDI-CAT, Vineland) to determine eligibility for Disability Services, ensuring alignment with high clinical standards.
- Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with Westbank First Nation and Métis Services Society to deliver culturally safe, therapeutic services.
- Lead an after-school program that supports children from kindergarten to middle school, focusing on wellness, social development, and life skills.
- Enhance the quality of life for Indigenous families by developing and implementing tailored service plans that address health, well-being, and developmental goals.
- Integrate direct feedback from Indigenous partners to continuously improve service delivery, and ensure responsive, community-driven support.
- Lead workshops and parenting programs that strengthen caregiver capacity in child development, grounded in principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and the TRC Calls to Action.
- Resolve customer service issues promptly, while maintaining excellent relationships with clients.
Early Learning Specialist
Early On Aurora
Aurora, Canada
07.2022 - 04.2023
- Design and implement early learning initiatives that promote optimal child development, integrating Indigenous Ways of Knowing into curriculum and activities.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to set developmental goals using the Response to Intervention (RTI) model, enhancing educational outcomes for children.
- Provide consultative support to families, empowering parents/guardians to actively participate in their children's educational journey.
- Develop and oversee early years and childcare programs, incorporating cutting-edge technologies to enrich learning experiences.
Masters Student / Teacher Candidate
Toronto District School Board
Toronto, Canada
09.2020 - 04.2022
- Support student learning through personalized assessments and tailored educational plans, fostering engaging and inclusive classroom environments.
- Implement trauma-informed practices to support marginalized youth in inner-city schools, employing differentiated instruction strategies to maximize learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to integrate Indigenous culture and Ways of Knowing into curriculum, promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding.
Early Childhood Assistant
Kidz World Childcare Centre
King City, Canada
04.2020 - 09.2020
- Fostered a nurturing learning environment through play-based activities, employing a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to support children's developmental milestones.
- Communicated effectively with parents/guardians and senior staff to address and accommodate individual student needs, ensuring a cohesive learning experience.
Early Child and Infant Mental Health Specialist
Family Services York Region
Richmond Hill, Canada
01.2020 - 04.2020
- Provided individualized support to children with developmental disabilities and their families, including developmental and risk assessments.
- Delivered culturally responsive mental health consultations, integrating Indigenous worldviews and trauma-informed practices.
- Participated in group counselling sessions, emphasizing emotional regulation, resilience-building, and inclusive support.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to meet the holistic needs of children with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
- Promoted equity, diversity, and inclusion through every interaction, equipping families with practical strategies for long-term success.
International Intern
P.M.L. Children's Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
Accra, Ghana
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Supported pediatricians in delivering critical care and developmental interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit, emphasizing trauma-informed approaches.
- Conducted needs assessments and patient surveys to enhance service delivery and parental support strategies.
- Provided compassionate mental health support to families of terminally ill children, demonstrating sensitivity and empathy in challenging circumstances.
Teacher and Student Guide
Children's International Learning Centre
Hamilton, Canada
01.2016 - 04.2018
- Developed and led culturally responsive activities, fostering an inclusive environment that celebrated diversity and cultural exchange among students.
- Leveraged technology to enhance instructional practices and accommodate diverse learning needs, ensuring equitable access to educational resources.
- Collaborated within a professional learning community to make informed decisions that supported student learning and development in alignment with equity and inclusion principles.
Education
Master of Arts - Child Study and Education
University of Toronto OISE
Toronto, CanadaGraduate Certificate - Child and Infant Mental Health
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Health Science
King City, CanadaBachelor of Applied Science - Human Behavior
McMaster University
Hamilton, CanadaSkills
- Support Consultation
- Teaching
- Mental Health Support
- Developmental Disability Support
- Management
- Developmental Assessments
- Research
- Process Design and Analysis
- Leadership
- Training and Team Building
- Clinical supervision
- Program coordination
- Strategic planning
- Cultural competency
- Trauma-informed care
- Policy development
- Parent engagement
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
Certification
- CPR/First Aid Certificate
- MANDT
- ASSIST
- Child and Infant Mental Health Specialist
- OCT member
- Fully Vaccinated
- G – Level Driver
- Canadian Citizen
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Practice Lead – Developmental Services
ARC Programs – Family Connection Centre
04.2023 - Current
Early Learning Specialist
Early On Aurora
07.2022 - 04.2023
Masters Student / Teacher Candidate
Toronto District School Board
09.2020 - 04.2022
Early Childhood Assistant
Kidz World Childcare Centre
04.2020 - 09.2020
Early Child and Infant Mental Health Specialist
Family Services York Region
01.2020 - 04.2020
International Intern
P.M.L. Children's Hospital and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
04.2018 - 06.2018
Teacher and Student Guide
Children's International Learning Centre
01.2016 - 04.2018
Master of Arts - Child Study and Education
University of Toronto OISE
Graduate Certificate - Child and Infant Mental Health
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Health Science
Bachelor of Applied Science - Human Behavior
McMaster University
Similar Profiles
Mesha SkoczylasMesha Skoczylas
Specialized Care Youth Worker at Arc ProgramsSpecialized Care Youth Worker at Arc Programs
Jennifer FoxJennifer Fox
Executive Director at Family To Family ConnectionExecutive Director at Family To Family Connection
M Shahriar SonetM Shahriar Sonet
Program Officer at Bangladesh Centre For Communication ProgramsProgram Officer at Bangladesh Centre For Communication Programs
Angela LabossiereAngela Labossiere
Head Pharmacy Assistant at Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Permanently Closing September 2025)Head Pharmacy Assistant at Shoppers Simply Pharmacy (Permanently Closing September 2025)
John ArtryJohn Artry
Research Lab Assistant at UBC OkanaganResearch Lab Assistant at UBC Okanagan