Long Connections Coordinator, Term - Child Safety

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Vancouver, BC Full-time $74009.08-$94704.94/year

At VACFSS, we ensure that the rights, safety, well-being and spirit of Indigenous children and families are upheld, honored and protected. We strive to eliminate oppression, discrimination and marginalization within our community. We acknowledge and honor the inherent wisdom, capacity and resourcefulness of our community in designing programs and services to care for our own children and families. Accordingly, we are dedicated to planning, developing, and implementing creative and innovative Indigenous programs and services in collaboration with members of our community and other agencies.

• Engage in restorative child safety practice with Vancouver's Indigenous community!
• Use your communication, collaboration and facilitation skills to build trust-based working relationships!
• Receive a competitive salary of $74,009.08 to $94,704.94 annually PLUS a comprehensive benefits package!

Reporting to the Collaborative Practice Supervisor, the Life Long Connections Coordinator supports a strong connection for children in care to their home communities, their culture and their relations. The role assists with the opportunity for children to touch the land of their ancestry and facilitates strong connections with Nations for ceremonies such as Homecomings and Touching the Land, cultural connections and cultural plans.

The position also works in collaboration with the Social Worker, Nations, and extended family in planning for the child(ren), with an emphasis on supporting children in family home, reunification, or placement with extended family or Indigenous community. The position oversees the program’s band list, as it pertains to children in care.

• An in-depth knowledge of various First Nations and cultural groups in Canada as well as protocols associated with accessing community contacts and Elders.
• A good knowledge of First Nations service structures including Band Administration, Band Social Worker functions, Delegated Aboriginal Agencies and cultural resources in the community.
• The ability to work collaboratively with VACFSS Staff, Elders and Knowledge Keepers and a practical ability to participate in Indigenous ceremony.
• The knowledge and understanding of Restorative Indigenous Welfare practices and the ability to reframe colonial practice into this model.
• A comprehensive understanding of the Children Family Community Services Act (CFCSA) and related legislation including the Federal Act, “An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families and VACFSS program policies and their interconnectivity in practice.”
• The ability to develop genograms, family finding and cultural plans of care following related legislation and the Federal Act “An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families” and VACFSS program policies and their interconnectivity in practice.
• The skill to utilize the Integrated Case Management (ICM) and other databases and complete comprehensive file reviews.
• An ability to quickly learn new computer applications and programs, especially those related to genograms and family finding.

• Preferred Credentials:
• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Social Work or in Child & Youth Care OR…