Job Description

Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services (KGCFS)

proclaims that we are an Anishinabek Agency servicing Anishinabek people to ensure services are delivered by honoring the Anishinabek way of life. KGCFS is derived from the overall cultural context of the Anishinaabe people. Other conventional child welfare services or approaches may be used and added to supplement the Anishinaabe cultural core of the agency. KGCFS believes that child welfare services outside the Anishinaabe cultural core are secondary to the primary Anishinaabe cultural core, and that child welfare services that are responsive to the cultural circumstances of the Anishinaabe client population take priority. KGCFS will be culturally grounded in its Anishinaabe foundation, beliefs, and practices and will be culturally responsive in its delivery of service while striving to educate, retain, and protect traditional Anishinaabe practices.

OVERVIEW:

Under the direction of the Service Supervisor, the Youth in Transition Worker (YITW) is responsible for supporting youth in their successful transition out of the child welfare system into adulthood. The YITW will help youth develop and pursue their goals and will support them with identifying, accessing, and navigating adult service systems relevant to their specific needs. The YITW will also support youth to connect to existing supports and resources within their communities including, housing support, education resources, employment services and training, life skills training (e.g., financial management, household management), health, mental health, and legal services.

The YITW will meet with youth through person-to-person, voice-to-voice, email, and other interactions, which may occur in the community or neighborhood locations or settings. The YITW services are not expected to only occur between regular business hours (i.e., 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday).

The YITW will work with the local community agencies to inform them of the YITW program and become aware of the services available in the community to refer clients. The YITW will work closely with Kina Gbezhgomi Foster Care Services. Referrals to the YITW will be made by a Foster Care Resource Worker(s) for youth clients between the ages of 16 and 24 years old, who are subject to a crown wardship order, legal custody order under section 65.2 of the CRSA, or formal customary care agreement immediately before the youth's 18th birthday or were eligible for support under the policy at ages 16 and/or 17, whether the youth received renewed youth services.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Service Responsibilities:

Under the direction of the Service Supervisor, the Youth in Transition Worker will:Assist eligible youth to develop and achieve the goals they have set for themselves through the program. Support eligible youth leaving care to identify, access, and navigate adult service systems relevant to their needs, and transition to adulthood. Facilitate access for youth leaving care to existing supports and resources in the community, by providing information and referrals for individual youth that address individual needs and support/reinforce strengths. Some of the resources and supports may include: + Housing Supports.
+ Education Resources.
+ Income Security (E.G. First Nation Funding Agencies, First Nations Band Administration, Ontario Works, OSAP).
+ Employment Services and Training.
+ Life Skills Training (E.G. Financial Management, Housing Management).
+ Health & Mental Health Services.
+ Legal Services.
Foster communication and linkages with community agencies and/or organizations to improve access to mitigate barriers to services for youth leaving care. Work collaboratively with Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services to create awareness of the role of the YITW among staff to promote timely referrals for youth leaving care. Liaise with mental health and child welfare programs to support transitional-aged youth living within the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. Travel to Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services offices to support transitional-aged youth when needed. Develop linkages and maintain effective working relationships with other community services/agencies to facilitate contacts and services for youth. Flexibility in service provision including location, hours of service, as well as innovation in practices and approaches. Organize and participate in public education seminars, workshops, groups, and training for youth, parents, and service providers. Ensure that the youth's rights are respected and addressed following legislation and agency policies and procedures. Maintain service statistics and a system of documentation and reporting that is consistent with the standards and procedures of the service delivery process, legislation, and practices of Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services. Certify all data, forms, reports, and necessary documentation are accurate and submitted within established timelines as identified in the service delivery manual, policies, and procedures manual, and service mandate. Make sure that safety and well-being practices are implemented this includes being knowledgeable of universal care precaution practices, emergency systems and procedures in dealing with crises, communicable diseases, the duty to report, etc. Identify staff development, training, and mentoring needs and participate as required. Exhibit organizational time management skills. accountability, reliability, and punctuality. Facilitate connections between youth and their community, promoting awareness and positive connections. Assist in ongoing upkeep and maintenance of program facilities and resources. Provide services within an understanding of the context of oppression, poverty, and diversity. Work collaboratively with all agency staff, the biological parent(s) and caregiver(s), extended family, and the member First Nations as required within your respective position of service. Create an anti-oppressive work environment while modeling respect, and professionalism, and act as a positive role model with integrity. Will complete a Historical Awareness / Self-assessment and develop an Individual Wholistic Wellness Plan including Competency Based Assessment Tools to develop a Cultural Training Plan and passport with the intent to monitor wellness and enhance and measure cultural congruencies. Will actively participate in agency-sponsored cultural training, staff development and educational opportunities, cultural activities, events, and ceremonies with the intent to enhance cultural congruencies.

Organizational Responsibilities:

As a representative of Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, the Employee will:Reflect and interpret the Agency's Vision, Mission, and Core Values in his/her work with enthusiasm and commitment. Act following relevant legislation and Agency Policies, Standards, and Procedures. Propose changes within Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services that would improve the quality of service to Anishinabek children, families, and communities. Develop and maintain respectful, cooperative working relationships to contribute to the integrated, seamless delivery of services to Anishinabek children, families, and communities Understand their role and responsibility in maintaining a safe workplace and reducing workplace injuries. Apply Anishinabek's culture, values, traditions, and teachings into programming where possible. Ensure accuracy, confidentiality, and safekeeping of agency records. Participate constructively in the supervision process with the immediate Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

A minimum three-year Child and Youth Worker Diploma is preferred. A diploma or degree in a related field in combination with related experience may be considered.

Experience:

Direct experience with at-risk youth for a minimum of 2 years. Experience in harm reduction, safety planning, and crisis intervention. Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and negotiate effectively within a multi disciplinary team of service providers. Experience in working with diverse cultures and communities. Knowledge of and sensitivity to the life experiences and needs of the youth community Experience in working within an Anishinaabe Child and Family Well-Being Services is preferred or proven experience in working with Anishinabek people. An individual of Anishinaabe ancestry is preferred with a genuine understanding and lived experiences of Anishinaabe worldviews, traditions, customs, and practices. The ability to speak the Anishinaabe language is a definite asset and/or willingness for continual learning. Preference will be given to applicants who can speak or write Ojibway, provided they have the skills, ability, and qualifications to do the job.

Conditions of Employment:

Provide a clear Police Records Check and/or Vulnerable Sector Screening Check (As determined by the police department). Possess a valid standard First Aid/CPR certificate or be willing to obtain one. Have a class 'G' Ontario Driver's License, an acceptable Driver's Abstract, access to a reliable vehicle, and be able to travel. A requirement of $1M Liability Insurance is required if you transport clients May be exposed to potentially hazardous environments this may including driving conditions and volatile situations. Willing to carry an agency cell phone, and IT equipment, and drive agency vehicle as needed. Can sit/stand for an extended period in front of a computer. While performing the duties of this job, the position will typically be within an office setting both on and off-site from the assigned office location. Work a standard work week of 35 hours per week, however, the ability to work flexible hours may be required.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES:

The ability to communicate effectively with the public and colleagues in a pleasant, courteous, and professional manner at any time. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, the Mental Health Act, and related legislation. Follows the Agency's existing policies, procedures, and precedents but will become creative/innovative with problem-solving skills and the use of community resources. Knowledge of the Differential Response Model for Child Protection in Ontario as well as the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, Ministry standards and guidelines, and Agency policies and procedures. Understand social casework principles as they relate to the assessment of family functioning and understanding of the dynamics accompanying intervention with involuntary or hostile clients. Ability to relate and interact with clients, colleagues, and community representatives in a professional and purposeful manner. Effective written and oral communication skills, problem-solving, advocacy, and assessment skills. Aptitude for initiating various approaches to problem-solving with realistic goals in mind. Contacts are a major element of the job requiring considerable communication and human relations skills for such purposes as influencing, persuading, or negotiating with others and in dealing with highly sensitive issues. The ability and capacity to intervene in a crisis situation. Computer and keyboarding skills, extensive use of database systems, word-processing, and web-based programs. The ability to speak the Anishinaabe language is a definite asset and/or willingness for continual learning. Preference will be given to applicants who can speak or write Ojibway, provided they have the skills, ability, and qualifications to do the job. Knowledge of the positive traditional influences that could promote mental health and wellness of Anishinabek children and families in the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin. The ability to promote and apply Anishinabek culture, values, traditions, and teachings in the work of the child and family team where appropriate. Developing and maintaining respectful, cooperative working relationships with Anishinabek children, families, communities, and service workers to promote an integrated, seamless delivery of service. Knowledge of at-risk youth-related issues, such as addictions, sexual orientation/identity, peer/social culture, human development, violence, teen pregnancy, and gangs. Knowledge and understanding of flexible, diverse, traditional, and non-traditional support, advocacy, and intervention processes. Knowledge and understanding of harm reduction philosophy and working strategies. Knowledge of micro and macro community social systems, structures, and issues. Ability to facilitate, coordinate, and promote group programming and workshops on a variety of social issues and topics. Knowledge of case management systems, reporting procedures, and responsibilities and the ability to work within those systems. Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as manage and maintain public inquiries. Knowledge and understanding of health and safety practices related to outreach work and universal care precautions. Ability to work within the policies, standards, procedures, vision, mission, and core values of Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services.

CULTURAL COMPONENTS:

Possess knowledge, respect, and sensitivity of the Anishinaabe culture and be committed to helping Anishinaabe families strengthen and achieve Mino Bimaadizowin (living the good life) through a healthy level of well-being. Expert knowledge of Anishinaabe history and oppression including colonization, government interventions including federal and provincial laws, jurisdictions, policies, and effects on Anishinabek. Strong commitment to helping Anishinaabe children and their families in ways that respect Anishinaabe cultural and spiritual healing practices. Proven expertise in the ability to perform with cultural safety, cultural sensitivity, and cultural humility with the skill to encourage healing. Honour all children and youth who may be in transition equally and strive to provide the required support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and 2-spirited individuals to achieve healthy self-esteem and life enrichment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Given the traditional practices of the Anishinabek, (from time to time) you may be exposed to wood smoke and the burning of sacred medicines, including tobacco, sweet grass, sage, or cedar which may occur within the work setting. Positions in the field of Anishinaabe Child Protection can be both mentally and emotionally challenging. The nature of KGCFS positions may expose incumbents to high levels of tension when dealing with issues. The tension includes a level of stress that is usually moderate with high levels occurring on occasions. The incumbent can expect there will be times when they will encounter inclement weather conditions while driving. * All employees are required to follow the KGCFS COVID-19 Policy.