Child and Family Wellness Coordinator

**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 and Family Wellness Coordinator **to join our interdisciplinary staff team at our **Chippewa site**.

The **Child and Family Wellness Coordinator** provides short term support and case management to children, youth and their families as they navigate through the health care system for mental health or complex care needs and transition to longer term services. The **Child and Family Wellness Coordinator** additionally supports children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and/or suspected FASD and their families to develop strengths-based plans and support connections to appropriate diagnostic, treatment and other supports services which meet the child’s and family’s needs.

**Experience**

A minimum of three (3) years direct experience working with children, youth, and families in a counselling, social development or other related health setting. Experience working with First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) people in community-based settings.

**Qualifications**
- Degree/Diploma in Social Work, Nursing, Indigenous Studies, Mental Health, Child & Youth Worker or other relevant program of study
- 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 in crisis and to provide appropriate supports
- Knowledge of FNIM Traditional Teachings, Culture, Values and History
- Awareness of Health and Wellness issues pertaining to FNIM People
- 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)
- Willingness to participate in Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, teachings and ceremonies.
- Clean and current vulnerable sector police check as a condition of employment
- Up to date immunization record including at least 2 COVID-19 vaccinations

**Skills & Abilities**
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly
- 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
- Development of culturally and age-appropriate group programs rooted in Indigenous cultures and ways of healing
- Facilitate the delivery and evaluation of group programming
- Report writing skills for CAS, school, physician or other agencies as required
- Able to maintain good attendance and punctuality

**Responsibilities**
- Provides community-based educational and support services to parents to assist in successful completion of assessments and implementation of plans of care, including teaching skills, role modeling, and helping parents to utilize family strengths to overcome identified challenges.
- 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.
- Coordinate and facilitate a care conference to re-assess youth needs. Ensure that all services or supports are in place to address gaps identified and to implement their coordinated care plan.
- Provides mentorship and counselling to children and youth to support the development of coping strategies, self-esteem, self-awareness, cultural identity.
- Develops and maintains relationships with all contracted service providers who will be partners in assessments and coordinates their contracts, service, meetings with families, invoicing, etc
- Development of culturally and age-appropriate group programs rooted in Indigenous cultures and ways of healing
- Provides consultation and support to build seamless system navigation for individuals with FASD or suspected FASD and their families through the assessment and diagn