FT Contract Child & Family Wellness Coordinator (Repost)

Role Summary:

The Child & Family Wellness Coordinator provides short term support and case management to children, youth and their families as they navigate through the health care system. The individual also supports children and youth with confirmed or suspected Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and their families to develop plans and support connections to meet their needs. Included in this role is providing educational and support services to parents to complete assessments and implement plans of care, helping families overcome challenges, and advocating for family needs.

Organization:

Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) is a diverse, dynamic, multiservice Indigenous health and wellness agency. We strive to provide quality, wholistic health services by sharing and promoting traditional and western health practices to enable people to live in a more balanced state of well-being. The Centre provides services to Indigenous people including those who live on and off reserve, status, non-status, Inuit, and Métis within the southwest region. SOAHAC has a mandate of ensuring that health services are accessible, of high quality, and are culturally appropriate. We are also mandated to build health care capacity within Indigenous communities. Currently, we are seeking the services of a Child & Family Wellness Coordinator to join our interdisciplinary staff team at our Waterloo Wellington site.

Qualifications

• Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Nursing, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health, Child & Youth Worker or other relevant program of study

• A minimum of three (3) years direct experience working with children, youth, and families in a counselling, social development, healthcare or other related setting

• Experience working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) people in community-based settings

• Experience providing outreach to urban and rural mainstream and Indigenous service providers and community groups to offer cultural supports preferred

• Proven ability to develop wholistic plans of care with the client and ensure a connection with the appropriate resources

• Ability to work with children, youth and families and to provide appropriate supports through a trauma-informed lens

• Knowledge of FNIM Traditional Teachings, Culture, Values and History

• Understanding of systemic barriers to accessing culturally safe health care services

• Knowledge of local health care system to support clinic navigation

• Working knowledge and understanding of FASD to support the system navigation of a potential diagnosis

• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly, both in written and verbal form

• Ability to work within a community-based organization, with referrals to/from various agencies

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work effectively and independently

• Experience in the development, delivery and evaluation of group programs; preferably rooted in Indigenous cultures and ways of healing

• Able to maintain good attendance and punctuality

• Computer proficiency including proven ability to use relevant technology (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams, EMR)

• Valid Ontario Driver’s “G” license; clean driver’s abstract, as well as proof of personal auto insurance (must be insured a minimum of 3 years and in good standing)

• Willing to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies.

• Clean and current police check as a condition of employment

• Up to date immunizations and records

Responsibilities

• Participating in training to increase capacity to support children and youth with FASD and their families

• Provides consultation and support to build seamless system navigation for individuals with FASD or suspected FASD and their families through the assessment and diagnostic process

• The individual also supports children and youth with confirmed or suspected FASD, in addition to other behaviour interventions. The coordinator will work closely with their families to develop plans and support connections to meet their needs

• Working with children/youth and their families to implement support plans based on individual strengths and needs, and informed by the child/youth and family’s vision, goals, and concerns

• Serves as a knowledgeable source of community resources; assesses the parent/family, determines the case needs, and assists parents in navigating/utilizing community resources

• Serves as an advocate and navigator for youth and family members, including accompanying parents to various school and medical appointments as needed for support. Transportation provided on a case-by-case basis

• Coordinate and facilitate care conferences to assess the needs of children and youth

• Support recommendations and referrals from pediatric clinics

• Provides mentorship and counselling to children and youth to support the development of coping strategies, self-esteem, self-awareness, cultural identity.

• Teaches skills, role models, and helps parents to utilize family strengths to overcome identified challenges.

• Development, delivery and evaluation of culturally and age-appropriate group programs rooted in Indigenous cultures and ways of healing

• Develops and maintains relationships with contracted service providers who will be partners in assessments and coordinates their contracts, service, family meetings, invoicing, etc

• Participates in gathering of required information and data entry into specified collection tools and provides case management for the duration of the assessment and diagnostic period

• Assists with Jordan’s Principle applications

This job may require additional responsibilities and duties as assigned by Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre.

SOAHAC values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer; however, hiring preference will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants (please self-identify). SOAHAC is committed to providing employment accommodation in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. If you require accommodation to apply or if selected to participate in an assessment process, please advise Human Resources.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please forward your cover letter and resume to careers@soahac.on.ca.