Family Cultural Connections Worker- F/T (Global)-1883
About The Position
This is a full-time position based in Chilliwack, working within the Collaborative Practices Team. The Family & Cultural Connections Worker (FCCW) role focuses on collaborating with family, extended family, community supports, and Agency staff to create plans for child safety, family and cultural connections, and placement. FCCWs utilize their strong cultural knowledge, mediation, and facilitation skills to develop child safety and placement solutions with families, respecting cultural/traditional values and practices. They ensure Indigenous children in care receive the best possible placement that meets their developmental and cultural needs, including their Indigenous identity and community connection. The role operates within the BC Child, Family and Community Services Act and the Indigenous Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI), employing a solution-focused and trauma-informed practice framework. Xyólheméylh is supported by an Elders Advisory Council to ensure culture is integrated throughout the agency, upholding its goals, mission, and values.
Requirements
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
- Knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous culture and historical impacts on individual and community development.
- Understanding of family systems, child development, and relevant legislation.
- Ability to practice according to standards set out in the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act, and the Indigenous Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) Manual.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write concise reports for various audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate emotionally charged meetings/situations while working collaboratively with the family and community.
- Ability to form trusting, respectful, and effective relationships with children, Indigenous communities, caregivers, parents, and other FVACFSS employees.
- Embeds solution-focused child welfare practices such as Signs of Safety or Appreciative Inquiry.
- Conferencing skills with excellent clinical skills; gaining agreement on issues and identifying immediate steps of action for families and service providers.
- Computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- Valid class 5 BC Driver’s License; reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.
- Criminal Records Check required.
- Required to work flexible hours.
Nice To Haves
- Diploma is preferred, however significant cultural knowledge, and a demonstrated ability to develop respectable relationships with On-Reserve Indigenous communities and equivalent personal experience may be accepted.
Responsibilities
- Effectively facilitates family group conferences, family planning meetings, and connections circles.
- Meets with the social worker, family, community representative, and other relevant parties one-on-one prior to a meeting to identify safety and permanency planning issues, their causes, discuss potential resources, safety factors, and permanency plans, and gather other helpful information.
- Acts as a neutral party, asking effective questions to foster trust, openness, and respectful dialogue among parties.
- Helps identify required behavioral changes to meet meeting goals, ensuring goals are age-appropriate, developmentally suitable, and realistic within available timeframes.
- Develops a comprehensive written family plan with measurable goals, resources for concerns, and required behavior changes.
- Reviews and assesses the progress of the family plan regularly, bringing parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes for enhanced effectiveness.
- Organizes and facilitates Connections circles to ensure each child/youth has a plan for regular and meaningful contact with family, community, culture, and other important individuals.
- Develops a permanency plan for each child and youth under a CCO, supporting cultural, physical, relational, and legal domains of permanency.
- Implements strategies to strengthen children and youth's connection with their community and culture.
- Ensures placement plans for Indigenous children and youth are regularly reviewed, with active engagement of family and community members in discussions about permanent placement options.
- Assists Social Workers, families, and communities in developing and implementing appropriate reunification plans.
- Develops a family genogram to share with the child/youth and team.
- Supports the completion of documents required for legal permanency options, such as Separation of Sibs and Exceptions documents.
- Understands Indigenous culture protocols, community behavior, and how to build relationships with communities.
- Builds familiarity with all agencies and resources in the region.
- Develops and maintains a positive and participatory approach to teamwork.
- Promptly addresses issues impacting cooperation, support, morale, and service delivery.
- Establishes respectful and effective working relationships with other staff, work units, and other agencies.
- Seeks knowledge and information when uncertain about policy, practice, or procedures.
Benefits
- employer paid Extended Health benefits
- attractive pension program with the Public Service Pension Plan
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
