Family Cultural Connections Worker- F/T (Global)-1889

Fraser Valley Aboriginal Children and Family Services Society•Langley, BC

3d•CA$69,761 - CA$79,325•Onsite

About The Position

We are a fully delegated Indigenous Child & Family Service Agency providing programs and services to Indigenous children, youth, and families (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) on and off reserve within Stó:lō Territory in the Fraser Valley between Yale First Nation and Surrey BC. Our programs and services are created and delivered with the support of our Elders Advisory Council with special attention on strengthening culture and identity, while honoring the strength of families. We strive to work in a holistic way to keep families together and reintegrate children back with their families and extended families. Our service delivery is done with an open heart and an open mind focusing on the best interest of the family while keeping children at the center. We work to ensure children are connected to their family, and community while striving to ensure their inherent rights to heritage and identity are upheld in all we do.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
Knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous culture and historical impacts effect the development of individuals and communities.
Understanding of family systems and child development along with relevant legislation.
Ability to practice 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, 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
Prior to a meeting, meets with the social worker, family, community representative, and any other relevant parties, on a one-on-one basis to identify what the safety and permanency planning issues are, the causes of the issues, discuss potential resources, safety factors and permanency plans and obtain any other information that might be helpful to the planning meeting
Acts as a neutral party, and asks effective questions that result in an environment of trust and openness; fostering a respectful dialogue amongst the parties
Helps to identify behavioural changes that are required in order to meet the goals identified in the meeting, while ensuring that the goals are appropriate to the child’s age and level of development and realistic within the time frames available.
Develops a comprehensive written family plan which identifies measurable goals, resources to address concerns, and what behaviors need changing;
Reviews and assesses the progress of the family plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to enhance the effectiveness of the family plan;
Organizes & facilitates Connections circles, to ensure each child/youth has a plan to maintain regular and meaningful contact with family, community members, their culture, and other important individuals in their lives; Reviews and assesses the progress of the plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to plan as needed
Develops a permanency plan for each child and youth under a CCO, which strives to support all four domains of permanency - cultural, physical, relational and legal.
Organizes & facilitates Connections circles, to ensure each child/youth has a plan to maintain regular and meaningful contact with family, community members, their culture, and other important individuals in their lives; Reviews and assesses the progress of the plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to plan as needed
Implements strategies to strengthen children and youth’s connection with their community and culture
Ensures that the placement plan for all Indigenous children and youth is regularly reviewed, and that family and community members are actively engaged in conversation about permanent placement options.
Assists Social Workers, families and communities to develop and implement appropriate re-unification plans;
Develops a family genogram to share with the child/youth and team;
Supports the completion of documents required for Legal permanency options; Separation of Sibs, Exceptions documents etc.
Understands Indigenous culture protocols, how to behave in the community and build relationships with the communities;
Builds familiarity with all agencies and resources in the region.
Develops and maintains a positive and participatory approach to teamwork;
Promptly addresses issues that have an impact on cooperation, support, moral and service delivery;
Establishes respectful and effective working relationships with other staff, work units and other agencies;
Seeks knowledge and information when there may be uncertain of policy, practice, or procedures.