Employment Opportunity

Positions        Infant & Child Wellness Worker                                 Term:                   Contract

Department:      Child Welfare                                                                     Location:            Timmins, ON

Salary Range:   TBD                                                                                       Hours:                 35 Hours per week

Reports to:         Prevention Team Supervisor

Posting Date: November 4, 2024 @ 4:00 PM

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Infant & Child Wellness Worker plays a crucial role in promoting family wellness from prenatal stages through early childhood. This position is integral to the Prevention Program, which aims to reduce child welfare involvement by providing support and education to families. Key responsibilities include:

1.       Providing One-on-One Support:  Offering personalized, in-home assistance to parents and caregivers, addressing their unique needs and goals for family wellness.

2.       Facilitating Group/Community Programming:  Organizing activities and educational sessions that foster a supportive community for families with infants and toddlers.

3.       Early Intervention:  Engaging with families as early as possible to build strong foundations for children's development, thereby preventing future involvement with child welfare services.

4.       Collaboration with Child Welfare:  Working alongside families already in the child welfare system to address concerns and implement strategies for improvement.

The program's flexibility allows families to receive support for varying lengths of time based on their specific circumstances and wellness objectives. Through these efforts, the Infant & Child Wellness Program aims to enhance family resilience and child development during the critical early years.

Responsibilities of the Infant & Child Wellness Worker:

• Referral Management: Receive referrals and establish connections with families to build rapport and develop individualized Family Wellness Plans.
• In-Home Support Services: Assist families in achieving their wellness goals through practical support, including:
  • Cleaning and organizing
  • Meal planning and establishing routines.
  • Budgeting and financial management
  • Educational resources and awareness
• Therapeutic Activities: Facilitate tailored therapeutic activities and connect families with appropriate programs and resources. Provide financial assistance when needed, such as access to the baby essentials pantry and Support Services budget.
• Developmental Support: Conduct the Ages & Stages Screener (Nurturing the Seed) as necessary and assist families with Developmental Support Planning.
• Community Programming: Deliver consistent community programming focused on parenting and parent-child relationships, such as:
  • Making the Connection
  • Calm Cool Connected
  • Healthy Family Kitchen
  • Talk & Task
  • Pre/post-natal vouchers
• Educational Presentations: Facilitate awareness presentations on key topics, including:
  • Infant and early childhood mental health
  • Nutrition and screen time
  • Attachment and the importance of routines
  • Maternal and paternal mental health
  • Family bonding
• Community Collaboration: Collaborate with local resources on initiatives that promote family wellness, such as National Addiction Awareness Week and Mental Health Week.
• Language Skills: Proficiency in Cree is considered an asset.

This role is essential in fostering a supportive environment for families, promoting their overall wellness, and enhancing early childhood development.

Please submit cover letter and resume along with 3 recent work references with their email addresses and phone number to hrgeneralist@fortalbany.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.