“WHAT WE DO TOGETHER…OUR H.E.A.R.T IS OUR DIFFERENCE.”

Do you have a genuine passion in promoting the values of Indigenous culture working with and for Indigenous children, youth, and families (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) while respecting their cultural diversity?
If so, consider joining our Xyólheméylh work family. We are a fully delegated Child & Family Service Agency providing programs and services to Indigenous children, youth, and families on and off reserve within Stó:lō Territory in the Fraser Valley between Yale First Nation and Surrey BC.

Our programs and services are created and delivered with the support of our Elders Advisory Council with special attention on strengthening culture and identity, while honoring the strength of families.

• We strive to work in a holistic way to keep families together and reintegrate children back with their families and extended families.

• Our service delivery is done with an open heart and an open mind focusing on the best interest of the family while keeping children at the center.

• 
  We work to ensure children are connected to their family, and community while striving to ensure their inherent rights to heritage and identity are upheld in all we do.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Please note, the length of this term may be dependent upon the return of the incumbent.
Reporting to the Team Leader, the Family Engagement Worker (FEW) works within an integrated team environment to mitigate and monitor the immediate concerns regarding child safety as well as support the on-going well-being of families. FEWs promote positive family relationships by providing information, guidance, and modeling to families at risk, on an ongoing support basis as needed and identified by the family and their Indigenous community. Their focus is to facilitate family growth and development through the focused provision of practical “hands on” direct home support visits and community interaction.
The FEW arranges and facilitates visits between children in care and their families and provides feedback and support during these visits to help families have their children returned into their care. The FEW will work consciously and sensitively with Stó:lō culture and traditions represented in the Fraser Valley.
The FEW provides culturally appropriate and holistic services to all Indigenous families that consists of helping families and individuals develop Natural Support systems within their communities that they live in and helping build the capacity and health of the community through role modeling appropriate behavior, assisting youth and individuals to develop a strong cultural identity, and linking clients to appropriate community resources.
Xyólheméylh is proud to have an Elders Advisory Council to ensure that culture is embedded throughout the agency ensuring the goals, missions and values are upheld in a good way. Lets’emót – to be of one heart and one mind.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Two-year diploma in the Human Services field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with Indigenous children, youth, and families in a human services capacity within an Indigenous community setting is an asset.
• A sound understanding of child management techniques and effective parenting techniques.
• Knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous and Stó:lō cultural practices and traditions and how culture and historical impacts affect individuals and communities.
• Understanding of cross-cultural issues that impact Indigenous and Stó:lō people and communities.
• Knowledge of the generational impacts of Colonization, and historical child welfare practice on Indigenous people and their families, as well as the finding of the TRCC and recommendations.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships to engage families in attaining established goals.
• Ability to work collaboratively to provide service to the family with time and goal-oriented methodologies.
• Ability to work from a solution-focused, strengths-based, perspective.
• Provides services in a manner that supports and reflects positive cultural practices.
• Maintain an attitude of caring, respect and optimism for children, families and Stó:lō community members and representatives.
• Ability to build strong and positive relationships with all Stó:lō communities and other FVACFSS employees.
• Professional commitment, flexibility and good problem solving and dispute resolution skills.
• Effective written communication skills to meet recording and administrative requirements.
• Computer literacy on Microsoft Word, Excel, and other computer software applications.
• Must have a valid BC Driver’s License with no restrictions.
• Criminal Records Check required.
• Required to work flexible hours.

• Support to Social Work Planning

• Gathers information to assist the Social Worker and family in the ongoing assessment of the family’s strengths, needs, and cultural identity as related to the identified safety concerns;

• Assists children, youth, families and community members to understand various aspects of Child and Family Services to fully understand the process, as well as their rights;
• Attends and participates in collaborative meetings with the social worker and the Designated Band Representatives, Care Committees, or Matriarchs, for the development of agreements on scope, time and location for services and/or connections visits.
• Provides support and “real-time” feedback to parents on how they are addressing the identified skills required to have their children returned to their care.
• Family Development Support
• Actively engages parents, extended family members and other cultural/community supports to implement safety goals and actions that have been identified in the collaborative meeting;
• Parent Education and Skill Building
• Meets individually with the child’s parents to model (“hands on”) and educate on topics required to improve parenting and/or that address the identified protection concerns
• Administration
• Becomes familiar with and use office systems and computer systems effectively to manage their workload, filing system, and internal and external electronic communications;
• Demonstrates proficiency in case management and organizational skills to ensure complete and accurate records are kept on all files according to policy, the timely return of telephone messages, and reliability and predictability in terms of relationship with clients and the community;
• Completes monthly caseload tracking reports that indicate direct and indirect service hours, number of families served and visits, and case activity updates;
• Teamwork
• Develops and maintains a positive and participatory approach to teamwork;
• Promptly addresses issues that have an impact on cooperation, support, moral and service delivery;
• Establishes respectful and effective working relationships with other staff, the child’s caregivers, the child’s extended family, the child’s community representatives, Elders
• Seeks knowledge and information when there may be uncertainty regarding policy, practice, or procedures.