Practice Lead
AFCCA Program
Ontario
We’re hiring for a part-time Aggression toward Family/Caregivers in Childhood & Adolescence (AFCCA) Practice Lead
Position
We are recruiting a part-time Aggression toward Family/Caregivers in Childhood & Adolescence (AFCCA) Practice Lead. Fluency in French an asset. As well, recognizing the disproportionate number of racialized, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth in child welfare, as well as those with complex health and mental health needs, a connection to these communities will be given priority.
Hours
25 hours/week with remote and flexible work hours.
Core Competencies
This exciting job opportunity is optimal for people with direct lived experience with AFCCA, adoption, kinship, customary care and/or fostering, who have familiarity advocating for supports for their children and/or providing support in their community. If flexible hours and the opportunity to work with an organization committed to supporting marginalized communities are important to you, then Interwoven Connections is looking for you!
Interwoven Connections is committed to supporting the needs of marginalized communities and families; applicants from equity-seeking groups in Ontario are strongly encouraged to apply.
About us
Interwoven Connections—Ontario’s Association for kin, customary care, and adoptive parents and caregivers, is a community of people with lived experience that strengthens and empowers parents to achieve permanency for children so that they reach their full potential. We believe all adoptive, kinship and customary care parents and caregivers have a right to advocacy, support and guidance throughout their lifelong journey.
What unites our Board, staff, volunteers, community parents/caregivers and partners in the community is a passion and commitment to make a difference for our children and all children in need of permanency. We’re dedicated to building the capacity of adoptive, kin, and customary care parents and caregivers to advocate for their children’s unique needs, through a network of support that strengthens their family and reduces the likelihood of disruption.
Interwoven Connections works closely with local Ontario Children’s Aid Societies and Family Well-being agencies, the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, the Office of the Children’s Lawyer, and other adoption-affiliated and partner organizations.
We hold ourselves to a high standard in performing our mission. Our values reflect our identity and aspirations and guide our beliefs, principles, behaviours and decisions. These are our values:
Connection: We foster and support meaningful and authentic relationships.
Collaboration: We build connections with individuals and communities to learn and grow together.
Community: Our shared experiences unite us while our unique perspective strengthens us.
Integrity: We act with unwavering commitment to one another.
Empowerment: We amplify the unique voices of our community through our shared belief in each other.
Reports to
AFCCA Family Supports Program Director
Position Summary
The AFCCA Practice Lead supports the AFCCA team, working closely with Interwoven Connections management to enhance and promote the program. The AFCCA practice lead collaborates with the AFCCA Family Supports Program Director, team and our Marketing team on developing awareness campaigns, educational content and training. Focusing on building community and professional connections and partnerships to build capacity across our province.
Core Competencies
Empower and develop others
Build collaborative relationships
Initiative
Plan and Organize
Teamwork
Attention to details
Ability to prioritize work and perform multiple tasks
Accountability and dependability
Problem Solving
Self Confidence
Strong written and verbal communications
Ethics and integrity
Knowledge of, or experience with, the definition and measurement of equity-based outcomes, and the implementation of anti-oppressive/anti-racist practice frameworks.
Job Duties and Key Responsibilities
Professional Network
Uses in-depth knowledge of AFCCA to lead in the organizational outreach to the community and partner organizations to grow awareness of AFCCA and the specific supports available through the program. Outreach to include building and maintaining collaborative working relationships with affiliated societies, organizations and associations working with families of children with complex needs.
Builds and maintains relationships to facilitate knowledge transfer and collaborative work between Ministry funded services providers and regional services planning / service resolution tables, such as Health Nexus, Surrey Place, PLEO, PCMH, CHEO, and other organizations serving families with complex needs. The relationships and partnerships fostered for capacity building and mutual referring amongst the respective programs, leveraging and maximizing the Ministry’s investments in families and coordinated service planning.
Community Engagement
Develops scalable processes and approaches to ensure the program maximizes reach and support by providing ‘low touch’ community wide engagement, education, and support.
Works closely with marketing in planning AFCCA specific awareness and information campaigns, including recommending topics, curating content for social media posting, and sourcing guest speakers, etc.
Liaising with community stakeholders; fostering community connections.
Develops and implements strategies to increase community awareness and decrease the stigma of AFCCA on social media.
Responds to AFCCA related queries received from the Interwoven Connections website, public Facebook page and other areas.
Education (team/community/professionals)
Plans and coordinates a variety of education for the community, including to build awareness of and destigmatize AFCCA.
Works closely with the AFCCA Clinical Leads, to develop and provide training for professionals servicing families experiencing AFCCA to build province wide capacity, with an emphasis on creating deeper understanding of the needs of families, particularly parents and caregivers seeking to support their child/adolescent. Training includes supporting first responders, mental health professionals, and child welfare workers with tools and strategies to understand and support families experiencing AFCCA with shared goals of placement stability and safety in the home.
Represents Interwoven Connections’s AFCCA Family Supports program at provincial and national events, including conferences and symposia.
Works with the P2P Team to organize / facilitate local educational events for the adoption community, including running workshops and doing speaking and training engagements related to AFCCA.
Lead in the development and provision of AFCCA focused training to Interwoven Connections staff, working closely with the AFCCA Program Director & Clinical Leads. Training to include (not exhaustive), developing trust with caregivers, evidence-based strategies, and overcoming barriers to support.
Practice Development
Responsible for facilitating and growing an active provincial AFCCA Community of Practice.
Develops best practices in research, education, and parent resources to support the provincial AFCCA community with input from the Clinical Leads.
Engages in ongoing professional development to ensure a strong understanding of issues/strategies/resources related to AFCCA including its relationship to trauma, attachment, mental health, ADHD, FASD, stigma and PTSD among family members.
Responsible for facilitating AFCCA Family Peer Support Groups, initiating and monitoring community engagement in private AFCCA online groups, co-hosting periodic Snack-and-Chat and other live webinars, bringing in-depth knowledge of the experiences of AFCCA and needs for families.
Strategic Direction and Administration
As an AFCCA subject matter expert, works closely with the AFCCA Family Supports Program Director to ensure the AFCCA program is always adapting to serve the current and emerging needs of families experiencing AFCCA.
Involved in grant writing for program funding to maintain and grow revenue streams, Ministry reporting requirements, and providing input on annual budget expenditures required for the AFCCA programs and services.
Ensures compliance with funding contracts, along with accurate and timely reporting of outcomes, and related insights, for the AFCCA program.
Plans and coordinates representation of the AFCCA program at provincial and national events, including conferences and symposia, to share and identify best practices in supporting families.
Job Specifics
Above-average understanding of, and the ability to navigate, the public adoption system, including the unique characteristics of kinship and customary care.
Knowledge of CAS adoption and family well-being protection process.
Knowledge of local and regional resources, including doctors, therapists, mental health services, programs for children and youth, community, and cultural services, etc., ideally with demonstrated adoption, kinship, or customary care competencies.
Commitment to continuous learning including attendance at ongoing, mandatory training events.
Requirements
Successful candidates will have:
In-depth knowledge and understanding of AFCCA, including safety planning and therapeutic practices, and its impact on families
Post-secondary education in social science, social work, psychology, education, business, marketing, or communications with 3+ years of work experience in a social service organization, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Previous experience leading in the design, development, and growth of a new family-centered social service program.
Lived experience related to adoption, fostering, kin or customary caregiving an asset.
Experience developing and implementing staff training, community education, and program expansion.
Experience working programmatically and collaboratively with clinicians.
Experience with grant writing, funder compliance reporting including targeted outcomes, managing a budget, and providing input to the annual program expenditure budget.
Demonstrated ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including government, funders, service providers, and organizational leaders.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal in English, with bilingualism an asset.
Cultural sensitivity and competency in working with equity-seeking groups and developing anti-racist / anti-oppressive practices.
Proficient with computers, Microsoft O365, and using a CRM database and spreadsheets for tracking and outcome reporting.
Experienced with managing competing priorities to meet time sensitive program requirements and deadlines.
Passion, integrity, energy, and a commitment to making a difference for families experiencing AFCCA.
Working Conditions
Currently, and for the foreseeable future, 100% of Interwoven Connections peer supports are provided virtually.
Interacts with families, volunteers, staff, community, government, and government funded agencies
Travel required within local CAS region with some travel outside for training or occasional staff meetings
Stressful at times when multiple families are in need of support
Overtime only as authorized
Salary and Additional Benefits
$30.22/hour
Additionally, if the employee works 20 hours or more per week, they shall become eligible for group benefits after 90 days of employment. Group benefits include the following: Life, Dependent Life, Critical Illness, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Long Term Disability, Healthcare, Dental and EAP program.
Three weeks of paid vacation, six days of personal time off, and 12 statutory holidays.
Recruitment and Selection Process
Please note that only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
In order to be considered for this position, you must include a cover letter, current resume, and three work and/or volunteer references, including one from your most recent employer with your application. We encourage all applicants to identify their strengths and experiences supporting diverse communities and using anti-racist/anti-oppressive practice in their cover letter.
Submit your application online via afcca_jobs@interwovenconnections.ca
Note
Interwoven Connections is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates from equity seeking groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference may be given to qualified candidates who have lived experience in adoption, kinship, customary care and/or foster care.Interwoven Connections prioritize hires from the communities we serve, balanced with a critical need for a diversity of marginalized experiences.
Interwoven Connections is committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided at all stages of the hiring process, as required by Interwoven Connections Accessibility Policies. Applicants can make accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Program Development Lead, Nicole Renaud at nicole@interwovenconnections.ca