Family Preservation Worker

OVERALL DESCRIPTION:

The Family Preservation Worker is responsible for conducting assessment and planning services for ongoing Kina'wenimowsowin and Prevention cases where children have returned to their home. The Family Preservation worker develops, implements, and evaluates a Plan of Support with the family to reduce the level of risk enabling children to remain with their family and community. 

DUTIES- PROGRAM DELIVERY: 

• Provides relevant and competent service to all Wabaseemoong children, youth, and their families (on/off reserve) who either request or are determined to require WCWA preservation services.
• Ensure program services are delivered with excellence and conform to Wabaseemoong Child Welfare Authority's Customary Care Code, Manuals, and Service Delivery Model, policies, procedures, guidelines, and protocols. 
• Conducts assessments of family functioning by the process of gathering information to identify child, youth, and family strengths, risk influences, and well-being utilizing tools created for Wabaseemoong families. 
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with children, youth, and families served.
• Conducts an analysis of risk influences and prioritizes the risk issues to be addressed in the Plan of Support.
• Providing support to families experiencing crisis by improving the coordination of services to families by community resources, assisting families to identify resources within their community, and making referrals internal or external to their community when required. 
• Recognize your limitations when helping families experience stress or crisis. It is important to connect families to the right people who can help the family get the best results. In high-risk situations such as suicide attempts or family violence, the family/member must be referred to professional counselors immediately. 
• Participate actively in case conferences with internal team units and support internal/external organizations as needed to provide updates regarding current/ potential risks to support and advocate for the family. 
• Supports the children, youth, and families of Wabaseemoong to ensure resources are available.
• Supports by providing hands-on, in-home assistance and education in a variety of areas, as well as assisting families in identifying the appropriate help in meeting their needs, referrals, and coordinating external services.
• Provide support to children, youth, and parents by assisting the individuals in establishing a support system within their community, relatives, friends, and/or Elders. 
• Support using culturally competent practice skills to educate, assist, support, and advocate for families in various areas including mental health substance abuse, employment, housing, rehabilitation, childcare, medical care, financial support, violence prevention, etc. while empowering families to become their own best advocates.  
• Provide narrative and statistical summary reports to the Family Preservation Manager and/or Director of Services on family files within the preservation program, services rendered, accomplishments, problems, and work plans to correct deficiencies and meet goals. 
• Ensure documentation of types of services provided are adequately recorded and maintained. 
• Maintain confidentiality to ensure that the privacy of individuals and families is protected. 
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of all required reporting and statistical information. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Post-Secondary Diploma with a minimum one-year experience in a related field. However, others with a combination of skills, education, and experience may be considered.
2.  Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, the administrative structure and operations of Wabaseemoong Child Welfare Authority (WCWA), including the Customary Care Code, Manuals and Service Delivery Model, policies, procedures, guidelines, and protocols.
3. Knowledge of the philosophy of service development/delivery, Wabaseemoong Independent Nations and family structure, local customs, and traditions.
4. Demonstrated ability to prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
5. Ability to establish and maintain purposeful relationships with colleagues, other relevant organizations, and management.
6. Experience in working with high-risk or special needs children youth or families.
7.  General knowledge of children's developmental needs.
8. Up-to-date CPR certification.
9. Excellent planning, organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
10. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary Child Welfare team.
11. Working knowledge of conflict resolution techniques.
12. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
13. Ability to follow directions, as well as work independently as needed.
14. Ability to flex daily work hours as needed.
15. Must possess a valid Ontario G Driver's License and be willing to travel.
16. Must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check and Driver's Abstract; and
17. The ability to speak Ojibway is preferred and a definite asset.