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MISSISSAUGAS OF SCUGOG ISLAND FIRST NATION

First Nation Child Welfare Representative (FNCWR)

ANTICIPATED START DATE: As Soon As Possible

REPORTS TO: Health and Social Services Manager

HOURS OF WORK: Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. including a one-hour unpaid meal break. Additional hours and/or overtime may be required per the Hours of Work and Overtime policies. Position includes a bi-weekly after hours emergency on-call rotation.

Under the direction of the Health and Social Services Manager, the First Nation Child Welfare Representative (FNCWR), a person named by the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation, will endeavor to protect the MSIFN’s interest in all child welfare and protection proceedings through legal proceedings, or hearings involving one of MSIFN’s children. Working from a holistic lens, the FNCWR is a highly motivated individual with exceptional advocacy skills, possessing critical knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act. The role of the FNCWR is to protect the collective best interest of MSIFN children and to ensure their heritage, cultural traditions and identity and rights of MSIFN members are protected and preserved in all child welfare matters. As time allows and as directed by the Health and Social Services Manager, this position will also provide support to the Cultural Coordinator to enhance the cultural programming and services at MSIFN.

DUTIES:

Key activities:

To work from a Prevention based perspective in establishing a strong foundation with the children, family and community to avert any potential child welfare matters. However, at times, the FNCWR may undertake the following range of activities, as provided for by the Child and Family Services Act (Ontario):

First Nation Representation:

· Plan, organize and deliver the Child Welfare Plans of Care by assisting the child(ren) and families as per the Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services (DBCFS) Regional Child Welfare Protocol

· Assist clients in locating and using community resources including legal, medical, financial assistance, housing, employment, health & social services, transportation, assistance with moves, day care and other referral services

First Nation Child Representative Responsibilities

Depending on the particular case, the First Nation Child Welfare Representative will undertake the following range of activities, as provided for by the Child and Family Services Act (Ontario):

· Upon receipt of formal notification (notices of alternate dispute resolution, apprehension/protection; status review, Child and Family Services Review Board Hearings, adoption and other matters), maintain full party status in hearings and child protection proceedings involving MSIFN children and determine if legal advice is necessary when consensus cannot be reached by the parties

· Provide or coordinate alternate dispute resolution to reduce the number of children in care (i.e. mediation, including Indigenous approach)

· Provide information and resources to First Nations children and families, and advocate for MSIFN and the community’s best interest in court

· Provide knowledge, awareness and promotion of MSIFN’s interest, to courts, agencies and Children’s Aid Societies, of culturally and community appropriate care options, particularly customary care arrangements

· Collaborate with other support services around prevention and care options in the best interest of the child

· Act as a key contact with First Nation communities for courts, Children’s Aid Societies and First Nations Child and Family Services Agencies

· Maintain the connection of children to their communities by working with communities, agencies and children’s aid organization in other jurisdictions and repatriate children as deemed necessary

· Ensure that MSIFN band members are fully aware of their rights

· Accompany CAS workers at all child welfare investigations into allegations of child abuse and neglect, to determine the best possible care for a child

· Attend and participate in court proceedings where eligible members are involved with matters related to child protection

· Participate in consultations and decisions related to adoptions of children as deemed appropriate

· Receive notifications and monitor Temporary Care Agreements and Voluntary Service Agreements with Children’s Aid Organizations/Societies

· Travel to meetings with CAS or court meetings

· Provide family support services

· Respond to queries related to court orders

· Conduct care/home visits to ensure the child receives culturally appropriate services and placements

· Liaise with other First Nation Child Welfare Representatives, Agencies and Legal Counsel

Case Evaluation/Development:

· Compile of all relevant case-related information and documentation

· Liaison with community service, including, but not limited to; Healthy Lifestyle Program, Addiction and Mental Health Programs and visiting professionals to assess client(s) progress and suggest alternative plans if appropriate

· Coordinate Case Management Conferences with all community services involved to monitor Client’s plan of care and progress

· Assist to help keep families together and to reunite families by providing intervention, advocacy, support and guidance.

· Assist clients to sort out options and develop plans of action while providing necessary support and assistance

Legal Responsibilities:

· Prepare, serve and file additions or amendments to the Client’s Plan of Care

· Gather evidence, prepare arguments, produce and prepare witnesses and prepare draft orders

· Prepare for and attend settlement conferences as set out by new Court Rules

· Provide oral and written presentations in court, as required

· Prepare, respond to, and process legal documents as required by the new Ontario Court Rules

Administration

· Document and maintain Child and Family Services records as per the MSIFN Privacy Policy & the Child Welfare Act

· Prepare correspondence as required for all legal proceedings

· Maintain program statistics for purposes of evaluation, research, and reporting

Financial Management

· Prepare annual financial budgets and work plans related to the program

· Prepare cheque requisitions

· Monitor costs to budget to ensure programs are operating within the approved budget and provide variance reports

· Provide quarterly/annual reports for all program funding sources within the scope of the Child Welfare Program

· Prepare funding proposals as required

Child and Family Services

· Meet with clients to assess their progress, provide support and discuss any difficulties or problems

· Assist in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment programs by tracking clients’ behavioural changes and responses to interventions

· Maintain contact with the Chief/Portfolio holder, as per the protocol, and other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients’ overall progress.

· Ensure that all efforts are made to ensure that needs of the child(ren) are being held to the highest degree through such forms as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), to represent the interests of the MSIFN in advocating for the best interests of children

· Work with MSIFN members to help recruit, assess and support an increase of customary care homes

Emergency On-Call Child Welfare Service

Respond to acute community emergencies related to Child Welfare outside of regularly scheduled work hours, on a rotational basis with identified HRC employees.

Related and other duties

· Attend regular case management and staff meetings to provide updates on the status of the program

· Maintain client files and information

· Special projects, assigned tasks and additional regular duties as required by your Supervisor

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Minimum schooling: A minimum, Post-Secondary Social Work Diploma and/or Legal Services Diploma

· Current First Aid and CPR certification

Specialization required:

· Valid driver’s license and $1M liability insurance

· CPIC acceptable to position upon conditional offer

· Knowledge and understanding of Native culture, traditions, teachings, community
dynamics

· Knowledge of legislation governing First Nations

· Knowledge of financial budgeting processes

· Computer skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, internet

· Knowledge of Privacy legislation

· Knowledge of the Child and Family Services Act and other related federal and provincial legislation

· Knowledge of the local Children’s Aid Society

· Knowledge of the local Ministry of Child and Family Services Office

· Knowledge of First Nations Child Welfare issues and developments

· Knowledge of the Family Court System

· Knowledge of case work management and prevention processes

· Knowledge of local agencies that assist families

Considered an asset:

· Social Worker or Psychology Degree

· Band Rep Training (AEI North Bay)

· Knowledge of Scugog Island First Nation programs and services

· Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

TO APPLY:

You can visit our website to complete an application online www.scugogfirstnation.com

Reference ID: FNCWR

Application deadline: 2020-12-11

Expected start date: 2020-12-11

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: From $33.66 per hour

Benefits:

Company events
Company pension
Dental care
Disability insurance
Employee assistance program
Extended health care
Flexible schedule
Life insurance
On-site gym
On-site parking
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Vision care
Wellness program
Work from home

Schedule:

8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
On call
Overtime
Weekends

Experience:

related work : 3 years (Required)

Education:

DCS / DEC (Required)

Work remotely:

Temporarily due to COVID-19

COVID-19 precaution(s):

Remote interview process
Personal protective equipment provided or required
Plastic shield at work stations
Social distancing guidelines in place
Virtual meetings
Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place

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