“Family Connections Worker”

POSITION TITLE: F”Family Connections Worker”

SUPERVISOR’S TITLE: Director of Holistic Services

The primary objective of”Family Connections Worker” is to address the needs of community members, achieving a pathway towards restorative policy and practice that supports and honors Carrier Sekani peoples’ cultural systems of caring and resiliency. This also includes the development of prevention and educational programs, one on one support and home visits to ensure families have opportunities to increase their ability to effectively care for their children and develop or maintain healthy family dynamics that promote resilience. “Family Connections Worker” agrees to uphold the Child, Family and Community Service Act and the child’s interest will be of paramount consideration. The Family Support and Advocacy represents the Nation’s interest in child protection proceedings, or hearings, involving one of its children; and therefore, will have a dual accountability to CSFS and Takla Nation. “Family Connections Worker”must meet the desires and needs of community members, Ministry of Children and Family Development and other child and family professionals. In addition, “Family Connections Worker”will hold additional responsibilities in supporting the CSFS Family Preservation Team and will act as a part of the CSFS Community Wellness Team.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

Depending on the case,”Family Connections Worker”may undertake the following activities, as provided for by the Child and Family Services Act (BC):

Prevention and Intervention Strategies:

· Perform assessments, implement goal plans and collect data and charting on progress

· Develop community programming based on demonstrated need as outlined in community plans, funding plans and individual goal plans

· Provide advocacy for individuals and families as required to ensure their rights and the holistic best interests of the child(ren) are upheld.

Compliance:

• Comply with local, provincial and federal government laws, standards and regulations (Child and Family Services Act, Aboriginal Operational Procedures and Standards Indicators)
• Follow duty to report legislation

Nation Representation:

• Represent the First Nation at Court as a Party to Child Welfare proceedings
• Participate in care plan meetings, family group conferences, and planning meetings for children in care./Prepare, respond to, and process legal documents as required by the Court
• To liaise with other First Nation Band Representatives, Agencies and Legal Counsel
• Accompany MCFD workers during investigations
• Ensure that band members are fully aware of their rights
• Support and work with CSFS Family Preservation Team and CSFS Community Wellness Team

· Liaise with Ministry of Children and Family Social Workers, Lawyers, Community Leadership, Community Based Teams, Nurses, other Carrier Sekani Family Services Support staff and any other stakeholders to ensure client needs are met

Case Evaluation/Development:

• Compilation of all relevant case-related information and documentation
• Client’s plan of care and progress

· Foster a network of support services and provide referrals as required

· Ensure cultural relativity for all services provided according to individual client needs

Administrative:

· Maintain a documented system of records for Family Preservation Files which is inclusive of daily charting, monthly reports, quarterly reports, statistical records and reports, incident reports and the maintenance of personal files and forms required by the program

· Ensure timeliness, accuracy and usefulness of reporting for management, CSFS board members, staff, funders, and government

Supporting the revitalization of CSFS, language, governance structure and belief systems by:

• Facilitating healthy families and youth interaction
• Actively participating in local governance structure

Additional Duties:

· Educates the staff of MCFD and other government agencies to: the socio-economic conditions, cultural values, traditions, expectations and aspirations of the parents, family and client community

· Participant in professional development as outlined in work plan

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Initial and on-going employment is subject to submission of a clear Criminal Record check;
• Knowledge of First Nations culture and traditions, and of systemic issues faced by First Nations people;

· A minimum, Post-secondary education or Social Work Diploma and/or Legal Services Diploma and two year’s experience,

· Social Services working experience with a First Nation’s Community is an asset

· Knowledge of Jordan’s Principal, CSFS life cycle model, parenting education, child development, health, wellness and healing, addictions, family violence, abuse, self-esteem, disabilities, case management and knowledge or willing to learn the Carrier language

· Traditional and contemporary child care, development and methodology from perinatal to 6 years Child and Family Community Service Act knowledge and accompanying acts and regulations pertinent to the child welfare system

· Prevention, intervention and crisis intervention skills

· Ability to formulate effective community, family and individual goal plans, care and treatment plans

· Maintain confidentiality concerning client files

· Able to interpret legal documents

· Willing to work flexible hours and travel with minimal notice

· Socio-economic prevention strategies

· Community resources knowledge and networking abilities

· Experience working with children and families

· Must possess a valid driver’s license and own vehicle

• Ability to think and act strategically, provide sound judgement and provide a positive, respectful and energetic attitude;
• Ability to use current office and computer technology effectively, including developing and managing word processing, spreadsheet construction and application, database construction and application, email, internet and web-based research;
• Demonstrated initiative to stay informed about community and organizational changes, initiatives and opportunities;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion and tact in complex situations.
• Valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s License and reliable vehicle with required business insurance
• Must take child restraint training for approved child seats
• Must attend non-violent crisis intervention training
• Emergency First Aid required

Working Conditions

· Work will involve families facing challenges which may occasionally involve exposure to unpleasant dealings with angry, abusive or abused clients; exposure to hazards from frequently working around volatile parents and/or children in crisis who may react violently

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Takla Landing, BC: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person