Rural Support Worker - Saskatoon, Canada - The FASD Network of Saskatchewan

Description

Main Purpose of the Job:

The purpose of this job is to provide support to families and individuals living with FASD who reside in communities outside of the cities of Regina and Saskatoon.

• Provide direct support to families assisting them with creating strategies and accommodations for their home, school and work environments.
• Support families to access existing services and/or tailor services to meet the needs of individuals with FASD and their families.
• Support individuals with FASD and their families to recognize themselves as safe, supported, valued, and contributing members of the community.
• Facilitate support networks in and around the province of Saskatchewan as funding allows.
• Work to increase awareness and understanding in the community of the impact of FASD on persons with the disability and their families.
• Create awareness about FASD and provide resources in rural communities in SK.

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide information and support to individuals with FASD, families, and support persons throughout the province via communication methods including electronic, telephone, video calls, conference calls and, when possible, in person meetings.
• Provide oneonone support to families affected by FASD in several areas such as:
• Developing support plans
• Providing education around FASD

- assisting families to facilitate respite
- attending meetings and appointments with families to enhance the understanding of both service providers and clients
- becoming a part of multidisciplinary teams in education, justice, health, and addictions sectors to assist families or individual members
- meeting with employers

• Implementing appropriate strategies and accommodations that will increase the chances for success in the home, community, school or workplace.
• Make referrals to service providers (ie: occupational therapists, counselors, addictions groups, etc.) Support Professionals will have the ability to provide information on FASD to these groups to meet the needs of the client and the community itself.
• Provide behavioral consultation and outreach strategies including home visits when necessary or beneficial. For example, providing practical strategies like creating visual charts, task lists, use of timers and other reminders.
• Assist families in accessing current services such as the CDS, mentorship programs, and appropriate educational and employment supports. (Knowledge of regional resources and the most effective approaches to access such supports is vital.)
• Support the facilitation of learning among parents (birth, adoptive, foster, grandparents, and extended families) through creative approaches (role modeling, demonstrating). This includes connecting families to training opportunities and provincial events provided by the FASD Network of Saskatchewan.
• Assist families in accessing the assessment and diagnostic services available. Work with families to understand assessment documents and support them through the process.
• Promote Caregiver Support Meetings and FASD Network events within Saskatchewan communities and provide ongoing support in the facilitation of the support groups across the province.
• Engaging with regional community professionals to educate them about the Network.
• Providing information and advocacy on behalf of families to ensure appropriate service provision within community areas
• Creating partnerships with local mentors and other support professionals working to provide guidance and strategies that are FASDspecific
• Once a relationship has been established, work with the community to provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers in the area to meet.
• Developing and maintaining a network of referrals and community connections.
• Ensuring the completion of necessary documentation and statistics.

Additional Duties

• Contribute to board reports, annual reports and other documents as directed by the Management Team.
• When requested, deliver educational presentations and group training on behalf of the Network.

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Other related duties as assigned

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as the position requires.
• Travel will be expected, including overnights.
• Must have access to a vehicle and be willing to use the vehicle for job purposes, including client transportation where necessary.
• Must be able to acquire additional liability insurance on vehicle to transport clients

Qualifications

• Related education such as Social Work in an asset
• 12 years' experience working with families who have a member living with a cognitive disability is an asset
• Knowledge of FASD, its affects, and strategies in behavior management is desired.
• Ability to use independent judgment in routine and nonroutine situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and other staff members.
• Including the use of all video call software.
• Ability to plan, organize and/or prioritize daily activities