Winnipeg Mamow Weechiwaywin

Overview: 

The Sandy Lake Mamow Weechiwaywin Program provides support, guidance and advocacy to families who are involved with the Child Welfare system, or families who are at risk of involvement. Our goal is to support our families to stay together, and to stay healthy.  

 Under the Authority and General Direction of the Chief and Council and the Direct Supervision of the Winnipeg Office Manager the Child and Family Advocates will be responsible for providing support services to Sandy Lake families who are involved with the Child Welfare System, or who are at risk of becoming involved with the Child Welfare System. This will include active case management, and ongoing communication and collaboration with child and family services providers, Chief and Council, Other relevant agencies and clients. 

SUPERVISOR: Winnipeg Office Manager 

SALARY: 55,000- 75,000 

Roles and Responsibilities:   
- To assist clients in achieving their goals as a part of a case management team   
- Meet with families, potential clients and screen for eligibility for Band Rep services
- Assist clients to determine program eligibility and inform of service available to them
- Communicate, collaborate with internal programs to ensure wrap around services
- Complete required paperwork with the clients and input initial client information into client database
- Determine what agencies, organizations and professionals are involved with the client/family
- Proven ability to ensure confidentiality, and show respect, patience and empathy towards Community Members
- Prepare /maintain case reports, documentation, and maintain accurate case records
- To act as a Child Welfare liaison between the Child and Family Service agencies and the First Nation, and if necessary, the provincial family courts on behalf of Sandy Lake and its community members   
- To participate in Case Conferences/Reviews, Plans of Care, and other management level meetings with CAS’   
- To prepare case notes and other relevant documentation on contact and intervention with clients   
- To represent Sandy Lake in court on family matters with or without a lawyer   
- To represent Sandy Lake whenever and wherever children with Sandy Lake membership are involved with Children’s Aid Societies (CAS)   
- To assist on a proactive basis those children who are in-care and who have been removed from the community   
- To work towards the repatriation of children who are in-care in other jurisdictions outside of Sandy Lake   
- To help establish and strengthen family support systems, building meaningful connections with family, community, culture and Elders, on an ongoing and innovative basis   
- To assist with the development of orientation and training protocols, including the Duty To Report obligations, with the CAS’   
- To conduct regular home visits with families who either have children in-care or are customary care providers   
- To find Home and other community placements for Sandy Lake children who use Customary Care Agreements (CCA)   
- To provide emergency and other short-term needs for clients, especially where immediate health and safety concerns pose an issue for clients   
- To successfully partake in all required professional development and training such as child welfare law, child welfare best practices, mental health first aid, crisis intervention, first aid, and professional writing   
- To provide community education of, and to engage in consultation in, their role as Child & Family Advocates, and of the legislation that they deliver services under   
- To collaborate with other agencies to ensure the client has access to all necessary and relevant services.
- If working with clients in an Urban Centre: to collaborate with other agencies to ensure the client has access to all necessary and relevant services   
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as required by your immediate Supervisors and Chief and Council

Qualifications  
- Degree or Diploma in Social Work, Social Science or related field required  
- Willing to work flexible hours and potentially travel  
- Minimum three (3) years’ experience working in social services or related field   
-  Committed to an open, safe and supportive work environment  
- Knowledge and understanding of the traditional teachings of Sandy Lake First Nation.  
- Ability to speak in Oji-Cree.  
- Analytical and problem-solving skills  
- Able to interpret legislation and legal documentation  
- Knowledge of Case Management techniques  
- Strong demonstration of negotiation skills, techniques and advocacy  
- Excellent time management and strong organization skills; a multi-tasker  
- Proven ability to maintain confidentiality  
- Excellent computer skills for reporting and presentation purposes, and general office equipment knowledge  
- Must have a valid Class ‘G’ driver’s license  
- Ability to establish and develop an active working relationship with all Child and Family Services  
- Ability to work effectively u