Job Title: Family Support Worker

Based at: Hope Mission Red Deer - Prevention Team (#140 6660 Taylor Drive, Red Deer)

Reports to: Red Deer Program Manager

House of Work: 1-year contract. Full Time 40hrs/week, 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday. As we provide programming and services in the after-school hours, all staff must be available to work evenings and Saturdays for special events as needed. 

Hope Mission is a non-denominational Christian inner-city rescue mission based in Edmonton, Alberta. Hope Mission also has branches in Calgary, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, and 2 summer camps. 

______________________________________________________________________________________

OUR MISSION

Because of the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ, Hope Mission exists to serve the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of those in search of help, healing, and hope.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Job Summary: 

Hope Mission Red Deer’s Prevention Team provides programs for kids, youth and families in Red Deer and Central Alberta.

The Family Support Worker will provide supports and services to caregivers of the children and youth we serve to promote and support the health and well-being of families.

Clients may present with a variety of physical health concerns, mental health concerns, addictions, and social and environmental challenges that influence health and wellbeing. The Family Support Worker (FSW) will utilize Hope Mission services, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making skills to provide holistic care to individuals and families. The support worker will work together with clients to achieve their optimal physical, emotional, mental, spiritual health and well-being by assessing, coordinating, administering and evaluating the provision of suitable resources.  This will include case management, outreach, education, and health promotion.

Key Attributes:

• Leadership: Lead through serving.

• Communication: Have excellent communication and organization skills.  

• Teamwork, Collaboration, Relational:  Work alongside the outreach team on the Prevention Team and with the various departments of Hope Mission. Build therapeutic and professional relationships that are characterized by respect & value for others.  Maintain professional boundaries.

• Client & Family centered: Use capacity building and strength-based approaches that promote client participation. 

• Holistic: View health as a resource for everyday life that includes physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing. Recognize that health is influenced by circumstances, beliefs, and determinants of health.

  Trauma informed:  Utilize trauma informed practices, knowing that adverse experiences can influence health. 

• Responsible, Accountable: Demonstrate responsibility & accountability for professional and autonomous practice. Use reflexive practice.

  Evidenced based: Engage in evidence informed decision making and practice.

• Creativity: Be excited to create opportunities to meet the needs of the caregivers we serve. Have a sense of humour. Use strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Faithful, Available, and Teachable: Serve with faithfulness and excellence. Be consistent in work and willing to grow in character and skill. Be willing and ready to serve, strengthen, and uplift people in the name of Jesus Christ.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Program administration:

• Maintain/develop strategic plan and program objectives in collaboration with Red Deer Program Manager.

• Maintain/develop policies and procedures for family outreach and FSW.

• Maintain/develop systems for documentation, filing, and data collection that meets privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Program Implementation

• Assessment:

  • Work with clients and staff to assess and respond to support priorities in this context. 

  • Assess the assets and needs of clients and their community. 

  • Identify and utilize assessments that are relevant to this population and context.

• Case management/care coordination:

  • Use a client centered approach to help caregivers & families identify strengths and available resources that support health and address their needs. 

  • Develops mutually agreed upon goals, plans, and priorities for care. 

  • Empower families with the skills and knowledge necessary to support their health and wellbeing.

  • Identifies strategies for change that will make it easier for people to make healthier choices.

  • Work together to address social and environmental determinants of health.

  • Support informed decision making and respect a client’s decisions and choices.

  • Assist clients to complete documents (e.g. AISH, income support, etc.)

• Referrals:

  • Environmental Scan: Have a knowledge of available resources and services in Hope Mission and the community.

  • Support connections and/or referrals to appropriate community resources, services, and other professionals when the client is ready to receive them (to promote wellbeing, functioning, & health).

• Education/Health Promotion:

  • Work towards the goal of improving the health of families by preventing disease & promoting healthy behaviors and environments. Encourage lifestyle choices that support and promote health.

  • Use a variety of strategies and interventions to support health, including educational workshops and small group programming for caregivers.

  • Facilitate the development of social supports and relationships.

• Outreach and Special Events:

  • Meet with caregivers in an informal way to build relationships (e.g. caregiver coffee & connects).

  • Be present at children and youth events in order to meet caregivers and provide information about services & programs. 

Communication

• Ongoing communication with the children and youth outreach team, Programs Manager + Senior Manager, and Hope Mission departments.

• Establish and maintain effective communication with other agencies and stakeholders to ensure coordinated services are provided.

Administrative Duties

• Maintain up-to-date documentation and files.

• Practice in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations (e.g. child protection legislation). 

Donation Collection

• Develop partnerships with businesses and local donors to stock food hampers and clothing racks

Event planning

• Working with a team, help to plan various events throughout the year for both small groups and large gatherings. Examples include a Single Mom's group, Community Holiday Dinner.

Perform Other relevant duties as assigned by the Program Manager.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

• Ministry Experience: Relevant experience in assessment, case management, and evaluation. Experience working with caregivers with complex needs.  Experience in program development.
• Administrative Experience: Experience with Office Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Media). Understanding of privacy and confidentiality. Able to keep organized and up to date documentation and files.
• Self-Starter, Multi-tasking, Flexible: Able to manage competing priorities, activities, events, and situations. Works well under pressure and requires minimal supervision. Works with a high level of autonomy.
• Education: Completion of an accredited social work education program.
• Standard First Aid an asset.

Other Requirements:

• Being a Christian Organization, we require our employees to be in agreement with and sign the Hope Mission Statement of Faith.
• Cover letter stating why you would like to work in a Christian organization.
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada on a full-time basis.
• Able to provide Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Intervention Record Check
• A letter of reference from a ministry or church is an asset
• Adherence to Hope Mission’s Policies and Procedures.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.