Indigenous Youth and Family Liaison -Elementary and Middle School

Job Summary

Working from an Indigenous Worldview and under the supervision of the Director of Family Development and Food Security as part of the Early Childhood Development team, the Indigenous Youth and Family Liaison will act as a liaison with community professionals and resources involved with supporting Indigenous students and their families within the schools, and develop working relationships to best support Indigenous students in achieving school outcome goals and objectives related to an individualized education/service plan.

This position will be with elementary and middle schools.

As an Indigenous Youth and Family Liaison, job duties include the following but are not limited to:

• Advocates and liaisons for Indigenous students and their families between home and school environments
• Provides a range of formal and informal school and community liaison services from a holistic lens
• Acts in a non-curricular/non-teaching capacity in the school and in the community while providing advocacy and liaison support services to Indigenous students and their families at their school
• Connects and collaborates with appropriate referral sources
• Includes Indigenous Youth resources in schools that are culturally safe and relevant
• Is available for support when identified as necessary by a school-based case management team or Indigenous Education Department (IED).
• Develops relationships with the IED Counsellor Consultants at each level for support and advocacy
• Develops working relationships with school staff, the IED, and the contracted agency to support advocacy for Indigenous Students and families guided by IED frameworks and 1701 audit criteria
• Provides reporting as determined by the school and VNFC requirements
• Maintains accurate case files and case management plans
• Works collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team and networks with other resources to promote holistic health and wellness within the family system and environment
• Represents the VNFC in a respectful manner at all times.
• Maintains confidentiality
• Documents and reports activity in alignment with VNFC practices and supports internal and external reporting as required
• Attends relevant professional training and meetings when directed
• Participates in staff development, staff meetings and department meetings as required
• Participates in data collection and evaluation tasks as requested

• Familiarity and experience in Indigenous Communities
• Knowledge of Indigenous culture and practices; in particular those of the current individual filling this role, or those communities previously served by this person, and some knowledge of the practice and beliefs of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Kwakwaka’wakw first peoples.
• Awareness of issues affecting Indigenous youth and communities
• Awareness of the dynamics of active and ongoing substance use, sexual abuse, family violence (including child abuse and neglect), grief, suicide, depression, healing and recovery
• Knowledge and practice of providing community-based services to Indigenous peoples using philosophies of cultural humility and cultural safety
• Experience working with Indigenous children/youth aged 6-15

• Ability to work in a team environment
• Demonstrated skills in report writing and documentation
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to independently write reports, presentations, electronic correspondence, and other forms of professional communication
• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from clients and the general public
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, and Outlook

• P…