Early Childhood and Family Coach

Full Time (35 hours per week)

22-016NCFRC

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Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre is an Edmonton based non-profit organization that has been supporting children and families since 1963, with a vision of Healthy Children, Healthy Families, Healthy Communities. Our programs and services are designed to strengthen and enrich families with children birth – 6 years old. Early childhood experiences are aimed at fostering optimal child development and healthy parent-child attachment.  Parent education opportunities are created to support building the capacity of families.  Family support services are provided to support families as the child’s first and most important teacher.  Information and referral is a key practice in supporting families to grow and learn within their own communities.  Programs are delivered using a holistic approach to support the social, emotional, intellectual, language, physical and creative needs of children and families in the community.  For more information, visit https://www.norwoodcentre.com.

Norwood provides the following:

• Great benefits plan
• 5 weeks of paid time off per year (1 week at Spring Break, 2 weeks at Christmas and 2 weeks vacation)
• 12 sick/personal leave days per year
• Service recognition and employee awards
• 2 staff fun/appreciation days per year
• Strong focus on employee wellness and work-life balance
• Supportive of ongoing professional development
• A compassionate team environment

The Ubuntu Children and Families program was created two years ago to deliver groundbreaking services to vulnerable children, youth, and families in Northeast Edmonton. The C5 partnership, the creators of Ubuntu (composed of Boyle Street Community Services, Bent Arrow, Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers, Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre, and Terra Centre), had a vision for a new type of cutting-edge service delivery model that could be provided by working together.

The Family Coach works with children and families to strengthen parent/child relationships.  They provide parents with the tools for healthy child development and build on the strengths of the families.  The Family Coach will foster positive relationship building with children, families, and partners.

This position requires a flexible work schedule that includes evenings to 8:15pm and weekends as scheduled to meet the needs of families. 

Norwood staff are guided by the following Team Charter: (SPIRIT)

• Support – We utilize one another’s strengths to take on challenges and opportunities using positive communication, collaboration, and compassion.
• Passion – We have the energy, attitude, and enthusiasm to be fully committed and engaged in our work with each other.
• Integrity – We are honest, trustworthy, transparent, and accountable with each other.
• Respect – We accept others without judgment and recognize that every individual is a person of value.
• Inclusivity – We celebrate diversity and welcome people of all abilities, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
• Team – We are all one group working towards improved outcomes for children and families.

If you share our values and support our mission and vision, please consider joining our team.

Reporting to the Family Coaching Manager, the Early Childhood and Family Coach is responsible for the following:

• Supporting children and families as they work towards reunification and permanency, while the children are living in another home environment
• Facilitating fully engaging activities, coaching, and environments with children ages 0 – 6 years, and their parents/caregivers during and outside of visits
• Transporting children from their current residence to a scheduled visitation location in the community or in their biological parent’s home
• Utilizing appropriate Early Childhood Development activities during transportation to build a relationship with the child/ren and support their development during the transition to and from the visits with the parent(s)/guardian(s)
• During visits the Family Coach will support the reunification process by planning and interacting with families to work towards the goals that have been set through their service team with Children’s Services and Ubuntu.
• Facilitating groups that support children and families through early childhood experiences and parent education
• Providing learning opportunities by demonstrating and modelling activities that support children’s brain development and functioning, promote attachment and healthy child development, family dynamics, self- regulation, and communication in alignment with the families’ goals and interaction preferences
• Completing documentation in accordance with agency and best practice standards
• Conducting ASQ:3 and ASQ:SE:2 developmental screens with children and families

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Degree or diploma in Human Services or Early Childhood Development
• Strong knowledge of child development and parenting skills
• Proficient in Microsoft office and database systems 
• Current First Aid in Child Care certification
• A valid class 5 non-GDL driver’s license, satisfactory driver’s abstract and access to a reliable vehicle that can accommodate multiple car seats. A minimum of 2 million liability insurance is required.
• Criminal Record Check and Child Welfare Intervention Record Check (findings will be reviewed on a case by case basis)

The following qualifications are considered an asset:

• Experience working with children and families from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Experience conducting home visits
• Experience in developing and facilitating groups
• Training in Relationship Based Practice, Early Brain Development, and Trauma Informed Practice

The starting hourly range for this role is $25.48 – $28.67 per hour ($46,373-$52,179 per year) based on a 35-hour week.

Norwood Child and Family Resource Centre values diversity and welcomes applications from First Nation, Inuit, Métis, New Canadian, racialized, differently abled and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Closing Deadline: Until Suitable Candidate is Found

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

COVID-19 vaccinations are mandatory for all Norwood staff and practicum students. Successful candidates will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination prior to their start date. If you are the successful candidate and cannot be fully vaccinated on the basis of a protected ground under human rights legislation, you may request an accommodation that will be reviewed by the agency.

Immunization against COVID-19 is the most effective means to prevent the spread of COVID-19, to protect the children and families we serve, our workers, and the public; to prevent outbreaks at the Agency; and to preserve workforce capacity. This policy strengthens work Norwood has done throughout the pandemic to keep our staff and participants safe (i.e. distancing, hand hygiene, infectious disease protocols, PPE use, masking, and staff education).