Aboriginal Infant Development Program Waitlist

**JOB TITLE**:AIDP Waitlist Worker

The Aboriginal Infant Development Program (AIDP) and Aboriginal Supported Child Development (ASCD) Program are holistic community-based programs that provide culturally appropriate support services to Aboriginal children who require additional support and to encourage families to care for their children with developmental delays and disabilities and ensure their children are meeting their developmental milestones. The AIDP/ASCD Waitlist Worker is primarily responsible for assisting families on our AIDP/ASCD waitlist; assessing program eligibility and working with the families to set individualized activities and plans for children and their families. This individual must drive in order to provide a home visit service as well as work with related agencies and professionals to make referrals. This individual must be able to work independently, maintain a client caseload and facilitate group programs for families on the waitlist.

**KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**:

- Build professional supportive relationships and rapport with the parents and extended family of the children referred and to practice holistic, strength-based principles.
- Promote and work in collaboration with families and childcare providers and support traditional cultural teachings and practice for our families, agency, and community, to ensure the effective inclusion of children who require extra support. To facilitate the development and implementation of individual service plans for children that reflect the choices and priorities identified by their families.
- Facilitate and make home visits with children to assess their eligibility for AIDP and/or ASCD program support. Administer ASQ Screening and plan with parents an ongoing program to stimulate or enhance optimum development. Monitor progress with the process of Individual Planning, including assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of Support Plans with families, childcare providers, and relevant professionals.
- Maintain professional standards and administer developmental screening and assessments, write reports and recommendations as needed. Determine with families and childcare providers the appropriate and required types and levels of support to be provided using the Support Guide or equivalent tool. Support capacity building, establish relations with, and liaise with the Circle 6 (Burnaby, New Westminster, and Tri-cities) communities.
- Facilitate parent education sessions and groups to increase parents’ knowledge of children’s normal growth and developmental milestones. Discuss with parents the normal range for their child’s growth and development and provides information and resources on inclusion and topics relating to children who require additional support and general child development through direct support, workshops, and presentations.
- Use cultural traditional practices that focus on the mind, emotion, body, and spirit and recognize family strengths and assets.
- Promotes and facilitates community awareness and facilitate education and training to childcare providers and community around inclusion, family-centered practice, and culturally appropriate Aboriginal practice and strategies for children who require additional support and their families.
- Develop and maintain resource library for community caregivers and parents. Strengthen and support families in their role as decision makers on behalf of their children and themselves. Liaise between families, childcare providers, and government about programs, eligibility, and resources available to support children.
- Provide information, resources, and suggestions to support the implementation of strategies and activities to meet goals and objectives of the ISP. Participate in on-going evaluations of plans, goals, and objectives. Provide or facilitate child specific training when needed.
- Maintain liaison with other health and social service professionals and professionals who work with Aboriginal families, such as, but not limited to: Elders, Physical therapists, Public Health workers, Occupational therapists, Speech and language pathologists and vision consultants.
- Work collaboratively and promote the work and vision of families, the program, and Spirit of the Children Society with appropriate professionals and/or agencies in the community. Make referrals to other community services as appropriate. Make appropriate referrals for further assessment and or support or counseling to other agencies or professionals as necessary.
- Support childcare settings to develop and implement inclusive philosophies, practices, policies, and procedures. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of all aspects of service to maximize effectiveness.
- Provide parenting support or information in areas such as nutrition, education, safety, injury prevention, play, reading, music, bonding and attachment and ways.
- Adhere to the policies and standards of Spirit of the Children Society