External /Internal Job Posting: Family Support Worker
Part-time, fixed-term contract (16 hrs./wk.- May 1st, 2024 to September 30th, 2024)

Bargaining Unit position: Band 3

ABOUT THE STOP:

The Stop Community Food Centre is a leading-edge and nationally respected non-profit organization that has been providing innovative programs and advocacy to address problems of hunger and inequality for over 40 years (www.thestop.org). The Stop's mission is to increase access to healthy food in a manner that maintains dignity, builds health and community and challenges inequity.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Reports to our Director, Programs and Evaluations, the Family Support Worker works to enhance the health of pregnant women, babies and mothers with infants through supportive programming and home visits. This position is responsible for supporting our Healthy Beginnings perinatal program, home visits and community outreach.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support to Healthy Beginnings program:

• Support operational aspects of program: from set-up to closure
• Support Healthy Beginnings program through outreach, individual support and facilitating groups
• Conduct regular follow-up with participants
• Participate and contribute to Food, Family and Fun community kitchen

Provide personal short-term and long-term support to pregnant women and new mothers:

• Conduct intake with participants: take basic information from mothers, prioritize goal setting for the relationship, explain the program's goals, objectives and policies
• Assess participants to determine supports required
• Assist participants to locate required community resources by providing information, referrals, supportive accompaniment and follow-up
• Conduct home and community visits to support the family through the early stages of having an infant
• Provide education and support on: infant development, infant safety, family dynamics, personal support, food budgeting, etc.
• Facilitate Baby Wish List purchases and monitor Baby Wish List budget for matches
• Maintain client records, assessment notes and correspondence in a way that safeguards confidentiality
• Advocate on behalf of participants
• Provide translation and interpretation where needed (if applicable)

Administrative duties:

• Attend and participate in Family Support Program and Healthy Beginnings team meetings, and other meetings related to the Family Support Worker job description; responsibilities in team meetings can include rotation of minutes, planning and chairing as required
• Attend and participate monthly supervision and case consultation with Coordinator

• Maintain expense records and other administrative records as required

• Submit time sheets in a timely manner
• Maintain knowledge of existing policies and procedures and implement them consistently. Participate in the development of new policies and procedures as required
• Organise and manage participant files
• Compile appropriate materials for participant and staff resources
• Contribute to evaluation of programs

Other duties:

• Maintain communication with local agencies and partners
• Maintain regular communication with Program Coordinator
• Participate in ongoing training as required
• Adapt to and respond to program changes as needed; tasks as assigned by supervisor

• Participate in agency-wide special events as needed
• Represent The Stop constructively when engaging with the public, other organizations and media

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of 1-2 years experience working as Family Support Worker, or similar position
• Strong understanding of challenges faced by marginalized women and women with infants
• Demonstrated experience working with women from diverse cultural background and families experiencing poverty and discrimination
• Fluency in English and an additional language is an asset
• Knowledge of Toronto's social service sector, including food access programming, early childhood resources, women's resources, and resettlement resources
• Demonstrated skills in personal development, advocacy, referrals and group facilitation
• Flexibility and willingness to learn
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Strong written and verbal communication skills