Family Peer Support Worker

Who We Are: Foundry East Kootenay is removing barriers and increasing access to health and wellness services for young people ages 12–24 and their caregivers through a network of youth-friendly centres across British Columbia and online. By offering integrated mental health care, substance use services, physical and sexual health care, youth and family peer support and social services, Foundry makes it easier for young people to find support in their communities. Online resources and first-of-its-kind virtual care further broaden Foundry's reach.

Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child & Family Services (KKCFSS) is a non-profit Indigenous Child and Family Service Agency governed by a Board of Directors represented by ʔakisqnuk, ʔaqam, yaqan nuʔkiy (Lower Kootenay Band), yaqit ʔa·knuqⱡiʾit (Tobacco Plains Band), Shuswap Band and the Métis Nation BC. KKCFSS programs and services are available to Ktunaxa citizens, First Nations, Métis and Inuit living on and off-reserve in Ktunaxa ʔamakʔis (Traditional Territory).

KKCFSS believes in a holistic approach to providing services with some fundamental beliefs:

1. Healthy communities make healthy children.
2. Children are the future of our, and all, nations.
3. Children have the right to a safe, secure and culturally appropriate family and community experience.
4. Children have the right to grow up connected to their family, community and culture.
5. Families have the right to culturally relevant services.

The Opportunity:

Foundry East Kootenay is seeking a Family Peer Support Worker to support caregivers of youth aged 12–24. This role involves coordinating with community agencies and professionals to deliver a range of mental health services, including assessment, crisis intervention, and consultation/liaison with community agencies, schools, hospitals, and other programs.

The Family Peer Support Worker is an integral member of the Foundry care team and uses their own living or lived experience of supporting a youth or young adult who has experienced mental health or substance use challenges. The Family Peer Support Worker assists in the delivery of Foundry centre operations and offers caregivers assistance with service navigation, education and resource information, while providing individualized peer-based practical, emotional and social supports. Delivering services in alignment with Foundry’s service model, the Family Peer Support Worker promotes holistic family health and well-being by fostering the development of respectful, collaborative relationships with family members, youth and service providers.

In the Role as Family Peer Support Worker, You Will:

1. Provide a safe, welcoming and supportive culture for caregivers receiving services at the Foundry centre;
2. Provide direct on-site services to caregivers by providing support, guidance and mentorship in the areas of information, navigation, education, resources and skill development, to support and engage families as expert partners in their co-developed wellness goals;
3. Model hope and share living or lived experiences and lessons learned to support caregivers in achieving individual and family health and wellness goals;
4. Facilitate meaningful engagement and participation of families in focus groups, surveys, research, evaluation and other opportunities related to peer support to further build capacity and leadership;
5. Work collaboratively as an advocate and liaison between caregiver, youth, centre staff and community partners;
6. Support caregivers’ completion of questionnaires, applications, referral forms and other administrative tasks as necessary;
7. Collaborate with Youth Peer Support Workers at the centre to optimize the youth, young adult and family experience as it relates to the delivery of services;
8. Facilitate peer support and educational groups to promote skill development and engagement, as well as foster peer-peer connection and networking opportunities;
9. Work collaboratively with Foundry centre staff and community partners to optimize relationships between families and service providers;
10. Support the development of the Foundry peer support network on a provincial level including, but not limited to, research, evaluation and quality improvement activities and participation on select provincial working groups;
11. Participate as a team member, attending team meetings, case conferences, conference calls and other organizational activities;
12. Complete and maintain related records and documentation including statistics, progress reports, care plans and referrals; and
13. Other duties as assigned.

What You Will Bring to the Role:

1. Direct experience as a caregiver supporting a youth or young adult with mental health or substance use challenges and service navigation in local community;
2. Completion or eligible for completion of Foundry family peer support training, previous peer support experience and training an asset;
3. Ability to understand and follow a strength-based approach for sharing challenges and co-creating solutions;
4. Sound knowledge of aboriginal issues both historical and current in British Columbia and Canada;
5. Strong relationship- and rapport-building skills;
6. Empathic, caring approach, with strong active listening skills;
7. Broad knowledge of community resources and supports;
8. Knowledge and respect of the diversity of the BC population;
9. Demonstrated time management skills, accountability and reliability;
10. Excellent planning, organizational and coordination skills with ability to multi-task;
11. Strong written and verbal communication;
12. Self-starter with a positive attitude and willingness to work flexible hours;
13. Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team;
14. Basic computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint.

What You Will Receive:

1. Excellent compensation package;
2. Generous and flexible time off options unique to KKCFSS, promoting work-life family balance;
3. Education and professional development opportunities.

Apply Now! Visit https://kkcfss.org/ for more information about the Agency, and https://foundrybc.ca/eastkootenay/ to learn more about the East Kootenay Foundry.

Application Instructions:
Please submit your cover letter and resume to: https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Ktunaxa-Kinbasket-Child-&-Family-Services-1/jobs

Preference will be given to candidates of Ktunaxa or other First Nations ancestry. If you are a Ktunaxa citizen who is interested in this opportunity but do not feel you have the necessary qualifications, please contact the Ktunaxa Nation Council Education and Employment Sector.

We thank those who apply; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $26.54-$28.19 per hour

Expected hours: 21 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company car
• Company events
• Dental care
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• RRSP match
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Cranbrook, BC V1C 2S1: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 2024-12-20