Foster Parent

**The Opportunity**

We are looking to hire **Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Families in Ponoka, AB** and surrounding areas for children and youth with complex therapeutic needs. You would be the primary caregiver in your highly structured family home, helping the young person work towards reuniting with their family. This Foster Care program is 24/7; your family will be responsible for caring for a child and youth 24/7 as part of the Therapeutic Foster Care program.

**Who You Are**

You possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

- Knowledge of mental wellness practices and the processes and procedures involved in providing effective home care.
- Proficiency in the English language, with the ability to comprehend instructions and communicate in a clear and logical manner both written and verbal.
- Build and maintain cooperative and constructive relationships by recognizing and understanding emotions and handling situations with empathy.

**Foster Care Family Responsibilities**:

- Help to create and implement individual treatment plans for the youth
- Daily review and documentation (including written reports outlining treatment progress and regular observational notes, logs and/or reports)
- Regular consultation and collaboration with supervisors and clinical & support teams
- Create, design, and support age-appropriate daily living activities
- Initiates, organizes, monitors and actively participates in group activities (special outings, concerts, sports, dances, party games, crafts, camping, music) as part of the treatment plan.
- Teaches, supports and assists young people in acquiring appropriate skills relating to daily chores, routines, and personal hygiene habits.
- Escorts young people to medical, dental and optical appointments.
- Advocates and actively builds a therapeutic relationship with young people (and family) through interactive play, activities, and personal interactions.
- Provides opportunities for young people to focus on developing new skills based on their needs.
- Supports young people through a crisis utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Interventions (TCI) practices as necessary.
- Maintains a therapeutic approach to behaviour support and explains behavioural expectations, outcomes, and impacts to young people.
- *NOTE* This is not a comprehensive list of the expectations, but an overall understanding of the role.

**Other qualifications include**:

- You have the physical wellness and mental health awareness to handle daily exercise routine and other requirements as prescribed by the care plan and a high capacity for managing stressful situations.
- Standard First Aid and Level C CPR + AED
- Class 5 Driver's License, vehicle insurance coverage and a clear Driver's Abstract.
- An adequate level of home insurance is required.
- You are financially stable, over the age of 21 years of age, and legally eligible to work in Canada.
- Must be able to support the clients on a full-time basis.
- Must be able to live with the clients providing them with a private bedroom that is safe, comfortable and suitably furnished.
- All persons 18 years and older living in the home **must** provide a Police Information Check; including Vulnerable Sector Check (within the last 3 months) and Intervention Record Check (within the last 3 months).
- You must be able to provide proof of your current address.
- Asset: experience working with children providing direct care to clients with developmental disabilities and/or clients with mental health concerns.
- Asset: experience working with complex children and youth with high behavioural needs and significant trauma.
- Asset: working knowledge of de-escalation techniques in relation to Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
- Indigenous families are encouraged to apply

**Who We Are**

CarePros is a leading Children's Services Agency that provides Trauma-Informed Community and Therapeutic Foster Care Placements to children and youth. We focus on cultural connection, family reunification and the transition of complex youth with disabilities into adulthood.

**What We Offer**
- A dynamic, collaborative, and diverse organization where your voice is heard, and you make a positive impact in the life of the children and youth you care for.
- The use of innovative technology to assist in your daily routine providing care.
- Industry leading training.
- **Foster Caregiver Compensation**: Compensation Paid to Foster Caregivers is classified as Social Assistance Payments and is **not taxable.**

Schedule:

- Evening shift
- Every Weekend
- Holidays
- Monday to Friday
- Morning shift
- Night shift
- Weekend availability

Application question(s):

- Do you rent or own a home and have a separate bedroom for a youth?
- Are physically and emotionally capable of providing safe quality care to 1-2 youth with trauma impacted needs?
- Do you enjoy spending time with youth and preferably have experience working with youth?
- Do your personal, family, and life circumstances work t