Family Support Community Worker in Ottawa, Ontario at Carlington Community Health Centre

Carlington Community Health Centre is a non-profit organization committed to improving health and well-being through quality health and social services for families, youth, adults, and seniors. The organization provides organizational support and advocacy assistance to local groups and values equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Carlington Community Health Centre is seeking a Family Support Resource Worker (FSRW), permanent 0.4 FTE with possibility of increase to 0.6 FTE, to work with vulnerable youth and families raising children aged 0–18. You will act as a skilled system navigator, connecting families to the community resources and support their need to thrive — including housing, transportation, food security, newcomer services, baby essentials, youth opportunities, summer camps, daycare and school registration, childcare subsidies, benefit applications, autism and disability resources, food bank access, and other community-based programs.

Carlington serves children, youth and families facing multiple, intersecting challenges. Our approach addresses the social determinants of health in a way that is culturally sensitive, respectful, holistic, grounded in attachment principles, and trauma-informed.

Key Responsibilities

Program Delivery

• Provide wrap-around family support to vulnerable families, including needs assessments, jointly identified priorities, and individualized action plans
• Manage a caseload: integrate and coordinate access to resources and information, refer families to crisis intervention supportive counselling and community programs.
• Plan and deliver programs that enhance child and family welfare based on community needs assessments.
• Actively connect families to community resources and services (housing, transportation, food security, newcomer services, baby essentials, youth opportunities, summer camps, daycare/school registration, childcare subsidies, benefit applications, autism/disability resources, food bank access, and more)
• Identify high-need families in the service area and link them to appropriate support services
• Maintain regular connections with local partners to optimize service delivery and address service gaps
• Create tools to track client engagement, outcomes, and partner satisfaction
• Develop and maintain up-to-date resource materials for families
• Conduct home visits for new and existing clients facing barriers
• Liaise with community residents, groups, agencies, and primary care practitioners to raise awareness of programs and the FSRW role

Team & Collaboration

• Participate as an active team member in staff development opportunities
• Attend staff training and organizational meetings
• Practice open communication with team members, problem-solving operational issues as they arise
• Link with other teams and workers at CCHC as required

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or Social Service Work, with extensive experience working with parents of children aged 0–18 (or an acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience)
• Community development experience is an asset
• Early childhood education and/or perinatal education experience is an asset

Experience

• 3–5 years' experience providing direct family support and community resource referrals to vulnerable families with children and youth including children with special needs
• 3–5 years' full-time experience providing supportive services to low-income, multicultural, and vulnerable families
• Experience and interest working with marginalized and diverse clientele (low-income, high-needs, newcomer, and multicultural communities) presenting complex needs
• Demonstrated ability to build trusting relationships with diverse and marginalized families

Skills & Knowledge

• Knowledge of child development and behaviour management
• Knowledge of local family/child resources, including services for children with special needs, and their referral pathways
• Understanding of complex family dynamics and issues affecting vulnerable, multi-risk parents/caregivers
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary, multicultural team environment
• Ability to establish trusting relationships with diverse families, including those with a history of trauma

Languages

• English: fluent speaking, writing, and reading
• French: fluent speaking, reading, and comprehension
• A third language relevant to our client population is an asset

Personal Suitability

• Physical ability to meet job demands: lifting, bending, sitting on the floor, standing up, and moving with children throughout program delivery

Carlington CHC welcomes applications from BIPOC communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and persons with disabilities. Carlington CHC is committed to establishing a qualified workforce that reflects the diverse population it serves and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

Carlington CHC is also committed to preventing and removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities, and invites applicants to advise us of any accessibility or accommodation needs