Family Cultural Connections Worker - 6 Month Term (Chilliwack)

“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 Indigenous 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.

Page Break

Family Cultural Connections Worker-

6-Month Term Position - Chilliwack

Base: TBD

Sto:lo Family & Community Support Team

Salary- $69,.01 to $79,.79 per annum (35 hrs. per week)
EDO Available: TBD

POSITION SUMMARY:

Please note, the length of this term may be dependent upon the return of the incumbent.

Working as part of a team, Family & Cultural Connections Workers (FCCW’s) are focused on bringing together family, extended family, community supports and Agency staff to develop plans for child safety, family and cultural connections and placement. FCCW’s combine their strong cultural knowledge with mediation and facilitation skills to create environments that build child safety and placement solutions with families, supporting and respecting cultural/traditional values and practices. FCCWs ensure that each Indigenous child in care has the best possible placement in response to their developmental and cultural needs, including their Indigenous identify and connection to their community. They operate within the parameters provided by the BC Child, Family and Community Services Act and the Indigenous Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) and use a solution focus and trauma informed practice framework in their work with children, youth, families, and communities.

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:

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Knowledge and appreciation of Indigenous culture and historical impacts effect the development of individuals and communities.
• Understanding of family systems and child development along with relevant legislation.
• Ability to practice standards set out in the B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act, and the Indigenous Operational and Practice Standards and Indicators (AOPSI) Manual.
• Diploma is preferred, however significant cultural knowledge, and a demonstrated ability to develop respectable relationships with On-Reserve Indigenous communities and equivalent personal experience may be accepted.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write concise reports for various audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate emotionally charged meetings/situations while working collaboratively with the family and community.
• Ability to form trusting, respectful and effective relationships with children, Indigenous communities, caregivers, parents, and other FVACFSS employees.
• Embeds solution-focused child welfare practices such as Signs of Safety or Appreciative Inquiry.
• Conferencing, with excellent clinical skills; gaining agreement on issues and identifying immediate steps of action for families and service providers.
• Computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Valid class 5 BC Driver’s License; reliable transportation with adequate vehicle insurance.
• Criminal Records Check required.
• Required to work flexible hours.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

Meeting Facilitation

• Effectively facilitates family group conferences, family planning meetings, and connections circles
• Prior to a meeting, meets with the social worker, family, community representative, and any other relevant parties, on a one-on-one basis to identify what the safety and permanency planning issues are, the causes of the issues, discuss potential resources, safety factors and permanency plans and obtain any other information that might be helpful to the planning meeting
• Acts as a neutral party, and asks effective questions that result in an environment of trust and openness; fostering a respectful dialogue amongst the parties

FDR/FS/TCO Focus

• Helps to identify behavioural changes that are required in order to meet the goals identified in the meeting, while ensuring that the goals are appropriate to the child’s age and level of development and realistic within the time frames available.
• Develops a comprehensive written family plan which identifies measurable goals, resources to address concerns, and what behaviors need changing;
• Reviews and assesses the progress of the family plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to enhance the effectiveness of the family plan;
• Organizes & facilitates Connections circles, to ensure each child/youth has a plan to maintain regular and meaningful contact with family, community members, their culture, and other important individuals in their lives; Reviews and assesses the progress of the plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to plan as needed

CCO Focus

• Develops a permanency plan for each child and youth under a CCO, which strives to support all four domains of permanency - cultural, physical, relational and legal.
• Organizes & facilitates Connections circles, to ensure each child/youth has a plan to maintain regular and meaningful contact with family, community members, their culture, and other important individuals in their lives; Reviews and assesses the progress of the plan on a regular basis; Brings the parties together for follow-up meetings to make changes to plan as needed
• Implements strategies to strengthen children and youth’s connection with their community and culture
• Ensures that the placement plan for all Indigenous children and youth is regularly reviewed, and that family and community members are actively engaged in conversation about permanent placement options.
• Assists Social Workers, families and communities to develop and implement appropriate re-unification plans;
• Develops a family genogram to share with the child/youth and team;
• Supports the completion of documents required for Legal permanency options; Separation of Sibs, Exceptions documents etc.

Community

• Understands Indigenous culture protocols, how to behave in the community and build relationships with the communities;
• Builds familiarity with all agencies and resources in the region.

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, work units and other agencies;
• Seeks knowledge and information when there may be uncertain of policy, practice, or procedures.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to draft concise reports for various audiences;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and facilitate emotionally charged meetings/situations while working collaboratively with the family and community;
• Conferencing, with excellent clinical skills; gaining agreement on issues and identifying immediate steps of action for families and service providers;
• Demonstrated ability to balance competing priorities and work under pressure;
• Computer skills for Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook;
• Maintain an attitude of caring, respect and optimism for their clients.
• Maintain a clear differentiation between the professional and personal self.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

FVACFSS employees are expected to be familiar with and must comply with the expectations of confidentiality as

outlined in the Agency’s Human Resources Policy Manual and other policies and operational manuals, AOPSI and the

B.C. Child, Family and Community Services Act.