Cultural Support Worker - Spiritwood Homes

ROLE PURPOSE

This Cultural Support Worker will provide a proactive approach to bridging Indigenous residents and their culture by consulting with Indigenous residents to provide/connect them with a range of cultural specific supports in the community and advocating for access and rights as needed. The Cultural Support Worker will support in cultural reconnection, programming and cultural education.

This position will also develop and implement short-term, issue-specific intervention plans within program guidelines to all facility residents.

The Cultural Support Worker position is currently undergoing classification and approval with the Union. The final classification, wage rate, and applicable terms and conditions are subject to completion of this process and the applicable collective agreement. Connective reserves the right to amend or withdraw the posting should the required approval not be obtained.

40 hours per week

Monday to Friday

• Reports and is accountable to the Program Manager or their designate
• Participates as a member of the Connective services team to ensure quality and continuity of services to clients
• Participate actively in designated facility, care team and staff meetings
• Liaises with staff and volunteers of community and government agencies as required
• Liaises with Connective staff as necessary
• Liaises with VCH Staff and Recreational Therapist when needed

• Liaise with outside professionals from other agencies or government bodies as required

• Participates as a member of the Connective staff team

• Maintain confidentiality when participating in assessments, goal setting and providing progress evaluation reporting
• Navigate paths to person-centered Indigenous work with residents using culturally informed strategies.
• Assist with creating an effective and supportive connection between the Indigenous/non-Indigenous service providers and community supports and residents.
• Engage in collaborative community partnerships to promote traditional healing, cultural teachings, and practice.
• Promote understanding and respect for Indigenous culture, experience, and identity.
• Liaise with and/or support cultural activities/programming.
• Contribute to model of cultural safety for emotional vulnerability.
• Ensure Indigenous service user’s case planning is Indigenous-led and informed.
• Maintain an appropriate record and information system. Prepare annual program reports and provide accurate data when needed. Ensure that accurate program and service user records are maintained, and that confidentiality is a priority. Ensure that all pertinent registration requirements and documentation is complete.
• Reviews and evaluates residents’ progress and adjusts programs as required. Provides feedback and support to residents and/or their families.
• Provide guidance to staff to assist in dealing with events or topics in the context of cultural practices.
• Participates in team meetings as instructed by the Program Manager.
• Assists residents with daily living skills such as grooming, cooking, money management, shopping, household safety and pet care.

• Guiding and engaging families, children, youth, and community members in culture activities such as healing circles, talking circles, and smudges to promote spiritual healing in a supportive and ethical manner.
• Accompany service users in navigating social, economic, recreational, physical, vocational, and educational services.
• Foster awareness and understanding of the cultural context of trauma related addiction/mental health among Indigenous community members.
• Works directly with additional staff (i.e., Social Workers and Outreach Workers), community service and support providers, government and non-government organizations, and First Nations service providers to inform the development and implementation of individual support plans consistent with harm reduction and Connective’s philosophies and practices.
• Recognizes, analyzes, and deals with potential emergency situations such as aggressive behaviour(s) to minimize potential harm to others and/or the public.
• Accompanies and/or transports clients to activities such as appointments, shopping, or leisure activities.
• Participates in team meetings as instructed by the Program Manager.
• Other duties as subsequently negotiated.

• Supervises the activities and daily living of service users living in the designated facility while on shift, including maintaining case notes and the logbook,…