Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Coordinator

Position: Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Coordinator

Location: Barrie, ON

Term: Full time, Fixed-term contract until March 31, 2025, with possible extension

Salary: $49,600.00 + benefits

Closing date: January 23, 2025

Who We Are
The vision of the Barrie Native Friendship Centre is to improve the quality of lives for all urban Indigenous/Metis people in the area, regardless of legal definition, by providing a gathering place which promotes unity and wholistic healing within the community at large. This is accomplished through a network of culturally based programs, services, and teachings.

Job purpose
The Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program Coordinator will ensure the effective delivery of the Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children (IHBHC) program such that the needs of the urban Indigenous families identified as high risk or at-risk who are referred to the program are met in a culturally sensitive manner. The IHBHC coordinator is funded as an initiative of the Indigenous Healing and Wellness Strategy (IHWS) with the commitment to reduce family violence and violence against Indigenous women and children, and to improve Indigenous healing, health and wellness through culturally appropriate programming and ongoing collaboration.

Duties and responsibilities

• Support families by providing one-to-one and participant-based services, ensuring that a balance of approaches is available to meet the needs of all families attending and participating in the program.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for healthy pre/post-natal development and preparation.
• Provide support and direction for urban-Indigenous individuals in the beginning stages of planning for or considering pregnancy, adoption, fostering, etc.
• Provide non-judgmental support and empower individuals to make healthy choices during pregnancy.
• Conduct home visits to further develop relationships with families and children to support their needs and to identify and meet their goals.
• Provide the best opportunities for healthy child development through home visiting, service coordination, parenting groups, cultural teachings, traditions, and referrals.
• Support families in celebrating and honoring new and young life in the Indigenous community.
• Provide wrap-around services and a strengths-based action plan for each individual direct-service user.
• Promote awareness and ensure access to the program through a variety of outreach efforts and promotional activities.
• Promote the development of protocols and referrals agreements as appropriate to meet the development needs of the Indigenous families in the community.
• Conduct strengths and needs assessments for families and develop a direct-service user action plan to meet the needs and goals of families in the program.
• Refer families to appropriate services as required and document, advocate and liaise with internal and external resources and supports.
• Participate in advocacy work for the benefit and support of the present and future children and families in the program.
• Participate in case conferences and plans of care as provided by a Children’s Aid Society (CAS), when necessary, to support and ensure the needs of children are met.
• Accurately report and ensure all program objectives are being met in accordance with agreements.
• Engage and reach out to community partners and stakeholders as it pertains to the needs of the families served and the program deliverables.
• Develop and maintain a network of health and social service providers to ensure that Indigenous families with children (prenatal – 1 year old) who are at risk of physical, mental and social problems have access to a range of prevention and early intervention services.
• Develop an inventory of services available within the community for prevention and early intervention services.
• Share information about healthy child development and pregnancy, while providing families the opportunity to learn about child(ren) behavior.
• Ensure all service activities utilize culture throughout all junctures of planning and delivery.
• Participate in training and evaluation processes to ensure continued growth and development of the IHBHC program.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.

Secondary Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain positive relationships with community agencies, businesses, and others.
• Provide leadership in community efforts to address the barriers facing CAPC/CPNP families (such as poverty, low literacy, transportation, etc.).
• Provide opportunities for healthy child development in collaboration with other BNFC programs and services.
• Advocate and raise awareness on the issues commonly experienced by CAPC/CPNP families.
• Work collaboratively with BNFC Combined Court Worker on family court matters, when necessary.
• Contribute with the team to organizational wide special projects (e.g., Community events, Day Camps, Food Baskets, etc.) when needed.
• Represent BNFC when required in committee meetings on behalf of BNFC’s Executive Director.
• Other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications

• Possess post-secondary education in Indigenous studies, social work, child and youth work or combination of the equivalent and relevant education.
• The candidate will have a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated and related work experience with families.
• Strong knowledge and awareness of Indigenous cultures and history, with particular emphasis on family violence, child welfare, the impacts of trauma, Indigenous youth engagement, and community outreach.
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with child welfare agencies in Ontario.
• Knowledge of cultural, social, and developmental stages of life for children; plus experience in the area of prenatal and postnatal care and development.
• Strong understanding of the Child and Family Services Act and Ontario Children’s Aid Societies, with particular emphasis on impact on Indigenous families.
• Satisfactory vulnerable sector check.

Competencies

• Accountability
• Approachability
• Compassion
• Integrity and trust
• Problem solving
• Decision quality
• Composure
• Managing and measuring work
• Team player

Working conditions
Specific employment conditions are specified in an employment contract with the Executive Director.

· Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector
· Valid Ontario Driver’s License, use of own insured vehicle
· CPR and AED Certificates
· Flexible work schedule including some evenings and weekends
You will normally be required to work based out of 175 Bayfield St Barrie, ON L4M 3B4. The hours of work are 9am to 5pm with possible evenings and weekends as required. You may be required to be mobile for the purposes of carrying out your job duties.

Physical requirements
Working in an office-sharing setting and working within the community. Supporting individuals and families in a community setting. Home visitations. Working with vulnerable sectors (babies, children, individuals with mental health & addictions, etc).

Application Process
Please send cover letter, resume, and three (3) written reference letters to: Email: p.russell@bnfc.ca

Hiring of Indigenous People will be given preference, as allowed under Section 24 of the Ontario Human Rights Code – Special Programs.

Please note only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $49,600.00 per year

Benefits:

• Extended health care
• On-site parking

Flexible language requirement:
French not required

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evening shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Experience:

• Indigenous community: 3 years (required)

Work Location:
In person

Application deadline:
2025-01-24
Expected start date:
2025-02-10