Location: Within your Alberta home. Edmonton and surrounding area.
Opening your home to a teenager is a life-changing commitment. This decision will shape their future and leave an imprint on you and your family forever. It requires stability, patience, and a willingness to love and care for them as if they were your own.
Opening your home to a teenager is the most meaningful commitment you can make. It is an opportunity to forever shape this young man's life. Our goal is to match a nonverbal autistic teenage male with a home that embraces him as part of the family, where they are nurtured, supported, and guided with love and compassion.
Because of the profound impact this role has on the youth and Care Family, we work hard to ensure the Independent Contractor fully understands the responsibilities, expectations, and rewards before making this commitment.
If you are ready for the joy, challenges, and responsibility this brings, please continue reading. If you are unsure, we welcome open honest conversations before moving forward, to make sure this is the right fit for your household, values, and long-term goals.
Is Your Household Ready?
- Do you have an unshared bedroom (with a legal window) for a non-verbal autistic male teenager to call their own?
- Is your family willing to embrace cultural sensitivity, 2SLGBTQIA+, and learn about Indigenous traditions?
- Do you understand, or are you willing to learn, child development, trauma, and behavioural management?
- Do you have experience or knowledge Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
- Can you provide 24/7 care and stability for a non-verbal autistic male teenager in your home?
Why Your Transparency Matters
Our goal is to match the needs of a teenage nonverbal male with autism, with the comfort, knowledge, and skills of one of our Independent Contractors.
When expectations are clear from the start, we can prevent unexpected disruptions which can be heartbreaking for the youth and your household.
Requirements and Commitment Before Applying
- 21 years of age or older - Financially stable
- Not providing any other services (forms of care) for other agencies
- Maintain proactive measures in obtaining a foster home License from Government of Alberta, which entails:
- Willingness to commit time to complete HAR/SAFE Assessment process (minimum 3 interviews taking 2-4 hours)
- 1-hour check in with HAR Assessor after above process is complete
- Completion of PRIDE Pre-Service training, GOA licensing requirement
- Takes 35 hours to complete 10 online sessions and 2 virtual check ins
- PRIDE is self-paced, but must be completed within 12 weeks (GOA policy)
- Provide 3 positive references
- Provide and pass medical clearance (physical and mental health) from applicant's known Family physician
- Canadian permanent resident (legally authorized to work in Canada)
- Proficient in both spoken and written English
- Excellent collaboration and communication skills
- Knowledge of de-escalation techniques, mental wellness practices, and effective home care processes
- CarePros Training: Therapeutic Crisis Intervention and Service Excellence
- Safety requirements:
- Must own a 4-door vehicle
- Must have a private (unshared) bedroom with a legal window available
A Day in the Life
- Provide input and support during assessments
- Complete daily documentation and progress notes in our secure online system (no paper records)
- Collaborate regularly with supervisors and case teams
- Create age-appropriate activities and opportunities for growth
- Participate in group activities and outings
- Teach life skills, personal hygiene, and daily routines
- Build therapeutic relationships through engagement and advocacy
- Support the teenager through crises using therapeutic approach
- Model socially appropriate behaviour and encourage community involvement
Behaviour Management Comparison
- Foster Care (Independent Contractor with CarePros): Behavioural challenges can be intense and unpredictable, sometimes involving aggression, withdrawal, or resistance to authority. Understanding the “why” behind the behaviour is essential, as well as tailoring responses to the teen's history and triggers.
- Daycare: Behavioural guidance often based around teaching sharing, turn-taking, and following group rules, with fewer cases of deep-rooted behavioural trauma.
What You Bring
- A deep passion for making a lasting impact on a young boy's life
- A natural ability to connect with teens
- A home environment that is safe, stable, and welcoming
- Compassion, patience, and commitment to guiding a nonverbal autistic teenage male through challenges and growth
Give yourself the space to truly consider whether you are ready to open your heart and home, and to commit to a life-changing role for both you and the teenager. If you are, we would love to hear from you.
Compliance Regulated Requirements
- An active Alberta Class 5 Driver's License
- A clean Alberta 3-year Driver's Abstract (3 years driving experience in Alberta is not required)
- A current Standard First Aid with CPR Level C (Canadian Provider, in person or blended)
- Alberta auto insurance with $2 million liability coverage
- Alberta Residential or tenants’ insurance with $1 million liability coverage
- CGL (Commercial General Liability) $2 million liability insurance coverage
- All persons 18 years and older living in the home must provide:
- Clear Criminal Record with Vulnerable Sector Check obtained within the last 4 months
- Clear Intervention Record Check obtained from Children Services within the last 4 months
The Perks
- Non-taxable income (Independent Contractor is not an employee)
- 4 days per month to take time for you (Respite days)
- Staff support care worker 4-8 hours per day
- Innovative technology to assist in your daily routine of providing care
- Cornell University TCI Training (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention)
- A collaborative and diverse organization supporting you through your journey in making an impact on the life of this young boy
NOTE: This does not serve as a comprehensive list of expectations and requirements.
We thank all applicants for applying; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
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