Indigenous Child, Youth & Family Counsellor

Location: Pitt Meadows

Detailed Overview

Working within a framework of cultural safety and humility, trauma informed practice, and using best practices and research evidence, the Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor provides assessment, planning, treatment interventions and supports that incorporate relevant traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge and First Nations, Métis and Inuit approaches as appropriate. Practices and approaches are considerate of each child or youth’s family and community context and will facilitate a cultural connection to any child or youth that identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor supports care coordination across child, youth and family services, local service areas, and regional and provincial service. Emphasis is on reducing barriers and facilitating timely access to clinical and non-clinical service where appropriate and feasible through collaborative, respectful relationships with community professionals, traditional healers, and Elders. The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor has experience with and deep understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit history, culture, traditional healing practices, intergenerational-trauma and intergenerational-strength.

Services may be provided on an outreach basis when required to assess and/or engage with clients within their own environment and community. The Indigenous Child, Youth, and Family Counsellor may be assigned as the "most responsible clinician" to specific clients dependent on the client's primary needs. Responsibilities Performs initial screening of referrals of individuals with a focus on those who identify as First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

Referrals may be received from other health care providers, community partners, family members and caregivers of children/youth with mental health disorders and addictions issues, physicians, and other sources to determine appropriate support based on client needs, urgency of request and best practices. Provides outreach and support with and to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across the Fraser Salish Region incorporating traditional First Nations, Métis and Inuit knowledge and approaches.

Provides direct clinical services for mental health and substance use such as intake, assessment, treatment, suicide risk assessments and crisis intervention; case management, consultation/liaison with community agencies, schools, hospitals, and other programs. Provides first level intervention and support such as clinical interventions, follow-up, monitoring, and evaluating treatment outcomes. Provides referrals to external agencies, internal services and other relevant resources. Provides a consultative service to and knowledge exchange with other staff within Mental Health & Substance Use Services, as well as to external organizations such as Child and Youth Mental Health (MCFD), community agencies (both on and off reserve), and other service providers who provide services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and families.

Develops and/or delivers information sessions through determining relevant content and required handouts, conducts literature searches, plans, and coordinates seminars that increase awareness in the development of culturally appropriate assessments, planning and treatment for First Nations, Métis and Inuit children, youth and their families. Participates in program development with consideration to First Nations, Métis and Inuit child, youth, and family needs.

Plans, initiates, implements, and facilitates therapeutic and recreational group programming in a manner that is culturally safe, trauma informed and fosters healing, and continued growth and development. Maintains client records by recording information such as client assessments, charting client information via PARIS and/or other clinical information systems, preparing progress notes and reports in accordance with established standards, policies, and procedures to meet regulatory requirements, documenting for future reference and ensuring that access to and disclosure of information and records are in accordance…