Therapeutic Caregiving Families

**BACKGROUND**

Nightwind Treatment Centre currently operates three inpatient treatment facilities for youth. We are trauma-informed and integrate indigenous healing into our treatment program. We are accredited by the Canadian Accreditation Council and we are proud to be dual licensed as a Residential Facility under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act, and a Residential Addiction Treatment Service under the Mental Health Services Protection Act. We are expanding our treatment services through Therapeutic Foster Caregiving and we are looking for Caregiving Families who would like to join our team.

Therapeutic Foster Caregiving is a therapeutic family based; culturally safe, short term out of home placement program intended to support children with complex trauma-impacted care needs. This intensive, accredited, wraparound service incorporates a Therapeutic Caregiver, as the primary change agent, working within a Therapeutic Team to provide individualized trauma informed supports primarily to children aged 13 to 17 years. This model may also support younger children with complex care needs. Therapeutic homes are licensed for up to 2 beds.

This opportunity is perfect for families who want to engage in Foster Care services, but wish to be linked up with an organization which can provide training and support. Families must have a high degree of skill with behaviour support and willing to learn more about trauma-informed care. We wish to recruit indigenous families and families who understand or are open to learning cultural ways of knowing.

**SUPPORT**

Why join our team?

NWTC will support you with training and 24/7 support as you take on the important work of supporting youth who need us We provide an iPad for all training so you can complete the digital training we have to offer. We also provide a training completion bonus for completing all the required training courses. Our team has therapists and cultural staff to help your family provide the very best care. Your work is to provide a caring home environment for youth as they go to school, learn daily living skills and begin their healing journey.

**AREA**

NORTH REGION (5 families) - Any of the following areas... Westlock, Westlock County, Barrhead, Barrhead County, Athabasca, Athabasca County, High Prairie, Slave Lake, Valleyview, Peace River.

EDMONTON REGION (3 families) - Any of the following areas... St. Albert, Sturgeon County, Morinville, Cardiff, Legal, and Alcomdale.

**DESCRIPTION**

**Attitudes**
- Maintain and promote the philosophy that “every child will do well if they can” for all youth Champion a trauma informed approach through healthy relationships and the effective prevention and resolution of conflict

**Environment**
- Establish and maintain a culture of learning, professional growth, trauma informed practice, cultural relevance and overall focus on healing for youth

**Administration**
- Adherence to the high standards of accreditation and licensing expected of a high-quality caregiving home
- Collaborating with the Treatment Team on a Treatment Plan and youth progress reporting

**Youth Care**
- Support youth grievances
- Be familiar with all medication plans and ensure medication is administered correctly
- Ensure youth are maintaining a healthy routine including education, recreation, life skills and sleep routine
- Support all medical appointments and responsible care
- Provide activities and support according to the Treatment Plan co-developed with the Treatment Team
- Support emotional health of persons-served by listening, supporting effective conflict resolution and maintaining safety
- Promote safety in all activities
- Be familiar with the process of new youth orientation upon arrival
- Assist in therapeutic activities including supporting treatment, cultural activities, communication, stress reduction, conflict resolution and healthy relationships
- Ensure home is welcoming, safe and clean
- Consult with youth on food preferences and support healthy meal planning, preparation and clean-up
- All other duties related to providing support to persons-served
- Keep Record Checks and all training requirements current

**Communications**
- Promote positivity and hopefulness with persons-served, caregiving families, colleagues, stakeholders and members of the public
- Maintain a consistent connection of support and health communication with caregiving families and not one of oversight and/or authority
- Formal weekly contact with caregiving families along with information contact as needed
- Implement effective internal communication processes
- Maintain confidentiality and abide by the Oath of Confidentiality, NWTC Code of Conduct and the Child and Youth Care Association Ethical guidelines

**Reporting**
- Report regularly to the Program Lead on the successes and challenges of the program
- Complete monthly safety and risk management reporting
- Tracking youth success through Daily Progress Reports (DPRs)
- Ensure cri