Aboriginal Child Development Consultant

**ASCD Consultant

**Summary**:
Under the direction of the Coordinator of the Aboriginal Supported Child Development Program, the ASCD Consultant will provide services for Indigenous children from birth to 12 years of age who need support in the following areas: physical, cognitive, communication, social, emotional and/or behavioural development. The ASCD Consultant will provide services to the Nanaimo and Ladysmith district which also includes the Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-nas, and Stz’uminus First Nation communities. The ASCD Program is a Provincially funded program that is designed to meet the needs of Indigenous children who require additional supports.

**Primary Responsibilities**:
1. Visit homes/childcare centres of children or youth to assess their development, create individualized activities for the children/youth and their parents/families, and to stimulate or enhance optimal development and monitor progress.

2. Administer developmental screenings and assessments including Ages and Stages, Ages and Stages Emotional Questionnaires. Write assessment reports and recommendations as needed.

3. Develop, monitor, and keep accurate documentation of activity plans for each child/youth on caseload.

4. Promote and support traditional cultural teachings and practices for our children, youth families, agency, and community.

5. Build professional support relationships and rapport with parents and extended families of the children referred to the ASCD program.

6. Practice holistic, strength-based principals and support for the ASCD program’s educational and non-punitive philosophy.

7. Maintain liaison with other health and social service professionals who work with Indigenous families, such as, but not limited to: Elders, Physical therapists, Public Health workers, Occupational therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Vision consultants, etc.

8. Maintain good relations with referral services including the Nanaimo Child Development Centre, Ministry of Children and Family Development, etc.

9. Make appropriate referrals for further assessments or support/counselling to other agencies or professionals as necessary.

10. Facilitate parent education sessions and group to increase parents’ and/or care givers knowledge of:
a. Children’s normal growth and developmental milestones

b. Extra supports required and individual planning

11. In coordination with the greater child/youth’s team, promotes and provides parenting support or information in areas such as nutrition, safety, injury prevention, mental health, dental care, immunization programs, breastfeeding, family planning, behavioural management, relationship issues, addictions treatment, play, reading, music, bonding, and attachment, methods for enhancing early brain development, and all other factors that affects the environment of the child/youth in their family home or childcare centre.

12. Provides support to the extended family, particularly Elders, cultural teachers, and traditional people, in the teaching of and caring for children.

13. Maintain ongoing training in administering Assessment Tools.

14. Prepare and maintain accurate client records, submit monthly, quarterly, and yearly reports to the ASCD Coordinator and Program funders.

15. Attend staff meetings and maintain professional development through ongoing ASCD/AIDP in-service education.

16. Contributes to Health and Education Fairs, Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations, etc.

17. Ensures policies and procedures are followed throughout the ASCD program and remains knowledgeable in relevant legislation, policies, and procedures to ensure that children/youth are always supervised and safe.

18. Other duties as assigned

**Childcare Responsibilities**

1. When facilitating a group to ensure children/youth are always supervised during indoor/outdoor play times.

2. When facilitating a group ensure the basic needs of the program are performed throughout the day including meal preparation, clean up after meals, sharing of circle times, art activities, set up, cleaning rooms, purchasing materials and supplies (including groceries), and cleaning toys. This is for activities/groups/playgroups that we hold in the community.

3. Creates and maintains a safe and secure environment to enable children/youth to express themselves and build on their self-esteem.

4. Provides guidance in children/youth’s behaviour, encourages positive self-concept and sets reasonable behavioural expectations.

5. Immediately reports all incidents of child abuse to the ASCD Coordinator.

6. Provides support to other ASCD staff as required.

7. Other duties as assigned.

**Additional Responsibilities**
- Advocate for families and works in cooperation with service providers to ensure families receive adequate support and increase community awareness of the needs of the ASCD program.
- Contribute to communication resources such as newsletters, flyers, pamphlets, and calendar of events, etc.
- Shopping for mater