Family Preservation and Reunification Clinician

About The Link: Youth and Family Supports

For more than 90 years, The Link has helped youth and families on a journey to healing, hope, and better lives. The organization is dedicated to walking alongside children, youth, and families as an inclusive community, strengthening and empowering a sense of being, pride, and purpose. With over 15 diverse programs, The Link has a community of caring staff that work together to provide support through a 24-hour crisis line, youth resource centers, emergency shelters, mobile crisis teams, specialized foster care, healing homes, job readiness supports, and Skills4Life. With a strong foundation within the community and a focus on connection, unity, and compassion, the organization provides a vital link for youth and families in the province of Manitoba.

**SUMMARY**: The Link is seeking compassionate and experienced Family Preservation and Reunification Clinicians with clinical knowledge and experience for full time positions within the Kent Road Lodge Program. The Kent Road Lodge program provides clinical supports as well as out of home respite (supervised overnight accommodation) for children whose families are involved with Winnipeg, Rural and Northern Child and Family Services. The Kent Road Lodge program also provides in-home respite for families who would benefit from support in the home, with clinicians engaging in enrichment activities with children and youth at home and in the community. This unique home provides 24/7 support for youth in a home-like setting while providing families with a break. Family Preservation and Reunification Clinicians are responsible for working alongside the respite home staff - supervising, mentoring and supporting youth to engage in healthy activities and develop a positive trauma-informed, strength-based philosophy. Family Preservation and Reunification Clinicians must work from a person-centered, non-judgmental, trauma-informed, strength-based philosophy.

Family Preservation and Reunification Clinicians work closely with the Family Preservation Clinical Manager, supporting children to develop healthy coping skills and boundaries, identifying and communicating emotions in a healthy way. The Family Preservation and Reunification Clinicians are also responsible for collaborating across various systems to ensure that outcomes are in the best interest of the youth, and align with the overall mission and purpose of the program.

**PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES**:of the Family Preservation and Reunification Clinician include, but are not limited to:

- Conducts mental health support and assessment to youth within their home environment.
- Provides support to caregivers, recommending strategies and evidence based parenting practices.
- Provides clinical documentation, including daily clinical notes and respite session clinical summaries.
- Develops and implements goals for youth participating in the Kent Road Lodge program, in collaboration with the Clinical Manager and staff team.
- Provides support to program staff, ensuring consistent and appropriate strategies and approaches are utilized throughout the program.
- Works with children and youth to problem solve, manage conflict, and maintain appropriate boundaries.
- Provides mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual support to participants based on the teachings of the Medicine Wheel; facilitates connection with the cultural activities and ceremonies, if requested.
- Provides crisis support and intervention, as needed.
- Travels to and from family homes, providing in home respite and out of home activities with youth.
- Attends staff meetings and trainings as required.
- Works in collaboration with other teams and external service providers.
- Other duties as assigned.

**QUALIFICATIONS**:
**Essential Requirements**
- Post-secondary degree in an applicable field of study (Psychology, Social Work, Social Sciences)
- Experience working with families in a supportive manner
- Experience working with youth with a mental health diagnosis
- Experience working with youth with substance use
- Experience working with vulnerable children and youth with an array of behavioral needs
- Knowledge of trauma and resilience informed care
- Strong counselling skills and experience in Relational care, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Emergency First Aid and CPR Level C
- Satisfactory Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search, a clear Child Abuse Registry Check with acceptable Prior Contact Check outcomes and a clear Adult Abuse Registry Check; all completed within the last three (3) months.

**Preferred or willing to obtain within the first three (3) months**
- ASIST Certificate (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) and/or any de-escalation training preferred
- Mental Health First Aid & Safe Talk
- The Link Commit 2 Kids Training
- Certification in either DLE (The Purposeful Use of Daily Life Events) or TCS (Therapeutic Crisis Solutions).

Accommodations are