Child and Youth Worker Kamatsiarniq Program

Tungasuvvingat Inuit•Ottawa, ON

19h•CA$48,000 - CA$51,000•Onsite

About The Position

This job posting is for an existing vacancy within our organization. It is the mission of Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) to broadly provide Inuit-specific programs that contribute to the health and wellbeing of Inuit and to encourage and support similar programs for Inuit across the country. TI has over 30 years of highly successful experience in crafting the design, development, and delivery of a wide range of effective, client-centered services. By incorporating the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ), TI continues to deliver quality programs and services that directly benefit our growing urban Inuit population. This position is responsible for providing ongoing support, advocacy, case planning, system navigation and service coordination for Inuit children and youth currently or previously involved with the child welfare system in order to assist them in achieving their potential and being healthy, happy, and resilient, grounded in their culture and language, and thriving as individuals and as members of their families and communities. The position acts as a cultural resource and support for Inuit children and youth who are living in foster homes, group homes or adopted into non-Inuit families, and provides direct cultural services and opportunities to help develop strong and positive cultural identities and foster a sense of community belonging. The Child and Youth Worker also provides dedicated support for youth transitioning out of care to assist them in their journey to independent living. The position will provide in-person support to children and youth living in Eastern Ontario Region as well as telephone and virtual support to families across the province.

Requirements

Community College in social work or social services is required.
2+years of experience delivering direct services in social services or community services organization.
2+years of experience working with child welfare
Previous experience working with the Inuit community, Inuit children/youth
Experience in case management (intake, service planning, service coordination, advocacy and referrals)
Fluency in English required, fluency in Inuktitut is an asset
Proficient use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, video-conferencing platforms;
A valid driver’s license and a driver’s abstract acceptable to TI is required.
Exceptional knowledge of Inuit history, culture, societal values, customs and traditions and an ability to share this knowledge with children and youth in an age-appropriate way.
Exceptional knowledge of Inuit historical and contemporary issues, including socio-economic determinates of health that impact urban Inuit children, youth and families in Ontario.
Strong knowledge of issues facing urban Inuit child and youth in care and transitioning out of care.
Extensive knowledge of services and resources available to Inuit in Ontario and how to access these.
Specialized knowledge, systems navigation, and training in trauma care, mental health and wellness, child welfare, housing services, justice services, addiction, and traditional healing practices.
Excellent interpersonal skills, case and file management skills, organizational and time management skills, communication (oral and written) skills, group facilitation skills, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrates cultural competency and an ability to provide culturally safe services, support and communication to community members.
Ability to initiate, plan, and deliver cultural programming and develop cultural resources.
Ability to maintain accurate, secure, and up‐to‐date client records and case notes using case management software.
Ability to develop rapport, trust, and ethical relationships with clients.
Ability to employ effective crisis intervention, de-escalation and conflict resolution approaches and techniques.
Ability to work from a strength-based, trauma-informed, and community member centered approach.
Ability to operate a decolonizing and anti-oppressive approach.
Ability to identify and appropriately support clients in crisis while maintaining healthy boundaries and practicing self-care.
Ability to handle sensitive issues with tact, diplomacy, and confidentiality.
Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary and multicultural team environment.
Acceptable combinations of education and experience may be considered for this position. We encourage you to apply if you have equivalent years of education and/or experience equal to the education and experience requirements listed above.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Inuktitut is an asset

Responsibilities

Receive and Respond to CYFSA notifications pertaining to children/youth in care.
Track notifications and maintain accountability for CAS to ensure comprehensive culturally appropriate client services and support.
Develop and maintain rapport, trust and ethical relationships with clients.
Provide dedicated one-to-one support for Inuit children and youth living in foster homes, group homes and non-Inuit adoptive placements, including advocacy and cultural supports.
Conduct comprehensive assessments of client needs; develop collaborative strengths-based and goal-focused plans; facilitate coordination, communication and collaboration with service providers to help achieve the plan; monitor and evaluate progress towards goals and regularly adjust plans to meet the evolving circumstances of the child/youth.
Facilitate safe and effective connections to services, resources and supports, including (but not limited to) Inuit Elders, cultural supports and community activities; Housing support and educational supports and resources; Employment services and training; Life skills training (e.g. financial management, household management); Legal services; NIHB registration; Land Claims card acquisition; Social assistance; Health, including dental health and sexual health; Mental health and wellness services, including addictions treatment; and Legal services; Supports for youth exploring their gender identity; Support for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Provide emotional support, coaching, crisis intervention and conflict resolution to clients as needed.
Respond appropriately and in a timely manner to crisis situations; carry out crisis stabilization, service delivery, and client contact in a timely and professional manner.
Provide objective information to children and young people about their circumstances, rights and responsibilities, expectations, processes (e.g. child protection procedures, legal system processes) and options to support them in making informed decisions.
Participate in case planning and case conferencing; actively contribute to safety plans, care plans, service plans, and transition plans.
Advocate for children and youth and assist them in exercising their rights and overcoming barriers to ensure they receive the programs and services they need. Build capacity of children and youth to advocate for themselves to advance their self-determination and wellbeing.
Accompany children/youth to meetings and appointments as needed to provide support and advocacy.
Facilitate supportive networks of family and community members who will help children and youth develop/maintain a strong sense of cultural identity.
Develop and deliver a weekly schedule of in-person and/or virtual programming which will include teaching children and youth about Inuit history, language, societal values, customs and traditions they become knowledgeable and proud of their Inuit identity and develop a strong sense of community belonging.
Facilitate talking, teaching and healing circles for children and youth.
Develop and distribute cultural resources and education materials to children and youth e.g. craft supplies, country food, language resources, books, etc.
Work closely with the Kamatsiarniq Child and Youth Worker at Inuuqatigiit to ensure coordination of resources, programming, services and support in the Ottawa area.
Provide case consultations with children’s aid societies, placement agencies, foster carers, group homes and other service providers as required to ensure agency interactions and interventions are done in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way.
Contribute to Cultural Safety/Connection Plans for children and youth in foster care, group homes and adoptive placements, and help carers understand the importance of ongoing cultural learning and connection to community.
Collaborate with stakeholders to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts.
Establish and maintain formal and informal networks to support the provision of services to clients and promote TI and TI’s programs.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with other programs at TI, Inuuqatigiit and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers in Ottawa and Eastern Ontario to create and support a coordinated network of wrap-around services for children and youth.
Work in partnership with other agencies to establish integrated plans of care, coordinate service delivery, evaluate progress/goal planning, and develop transition plans/case file closures.
Provide/facilitate education and cultural awareness for agencies and service providers to build cultural competence, enhance the quality of care provided to Inuit, and promote compliance with their obligations under provincial and federal legislation and standards.
Develop and maintain accurate, secure and up-to-date client files in the appropriate electronic system, including proper and timely case notes.
Prepare and deliver reports as required.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports and statistics.
Prepare and submit mileage claims, petty cash reconciliations, expense claims and other relevant financial documentation.
Become familiar with and comply with all of TI’s policies and procedures; and
Any other duties assigned to you may reasonably be required in line with the Position’s main responsibilities.