Job Summary

Foundry 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, primary 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.

The Family Peer Support Worker is an integral member of the Foundry care team and uses their own living or lived experience of supporting the parents of youth or young adult, and their children, who have 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.

 Responsibilities includes:

• Provides a safe, welcoming and supportive culture for caregivers receiving services at the Foundry centre;
• Provides 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;
• Models hope and shares living or lived experiences and lessons learned to support caregivers in achieving individual and family health and wellness goals;
• Facilitates 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;
• Works collaboratively as an advocate and liaison between caregiver, youth, centre staff and community partners;
• Supports caregivers’ completion of questionnaires, applications, referral forms and other administrative tasks as necessary;
• Collaborates 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;
• Facilitates peer support and educational groups to promote skill development and engagement, as well as foster peer-peer connection and networking opportunities;
• Works collaboratively with Foundry centre staff and community partners to optimize relationships between families and service providers;
• Supports 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;
• Participates as a team member, attending team meetings, case conferences, conference calls and other organizational activities;
• Completes and maintains related records and documentation including statistics, progress reports, care plans and referrals; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Direct experience as a service provider supporting parents of youth or young adults with mental health or substance use challenges, the youth and young adults within the family, and service navigation in the local community; and
• Completion or eligible for completion of Foundry family peer support training, previous peer support experience and training an asset; and
• This is a family peer support position and thus the successful applicant must be a "peer", preferably and adult with youth-aged children.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to deliver services with high degree of self-awareness, demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and work within personal and role-specific limits and boundaries;
• Capacity to use one's living or lived experience to promote positive connections with families at differing levels of engagement;
• Strong relationship- and rapport-building skills;
• Assertive communication skills with ability to respect others’ perspectives;
• Empathic, caring approach, with strong active listening skills;
• Ability to understand and follow a strength-based approach for sharing challenges and co-creating solutions;
• Ability to facilitate meetings and comfort with public speaking;
• Broad knowledge of community resources and supports;
• Knowledge and respect of the diversity of the BC population;
• Demonstrated time management skills, accountability and reliability;
• Excellent planning, organizational and coordination skills with ability to multi-task;
• Strong written and verbal communication;
• Self-starter with a positive attitude and willingness to work flexible hours;
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team; and
• Basic computer skills; experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint.

Hours

35 Hours per week Full Time Hours will be from 10am to 6pm each day.

Shifts:

DAYS, EVENINGS and WEEKENDS

• Must be willing to work a flexible schedule

Requirements:

Qualifications

Education and Knowledge

Required:

• Grade 12, plus related experience working with youth and young adults with mental health and/or substance use issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Experience working with Families of youth and young adults.

Preferred:

• Preference will be given to candidates with indigenous ancestry.
• Lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use, completion of/eligible for completion of a recognized youth peer support-training program and wiling to self-identify and share experience of recovery.
• A degree or diploma in the Human/Social Service field
• ability to work flexible hours
• knowledge of community resources
• Valid Class 5 driver’s license
• Vehicle with business insurance
• Driver’s Abstract in good standing
• First Aid Level 1

An equivalent of education and/or experience will be considered for this job.

This position is non-union.

TDCSS is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, however, only successful applicants will be contacted.

This position is open to applicants of all genders.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Permanent
Salary: 19$- 22$ per hour

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Extended health care
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends

Work remotely:

• No