Part-Time Regional Parent Liaison position—Toronto region: Toronto and GTA

About this position

Position 

Part-time Regional Parent Liaison is being recruited for the Toronto region. Fluency in French an asset and will be given priority. 

This exciting job opportunity is optimal for people with direct lived experience with adoption, kinship, customary care and/or fostering, who have familiarity advocating for supports for their children and/or providing peer support in their community. 

Are you interested in partnering with families, service providers, children’s aid societies and First Nations, Indigenous, and Métis, child and family well-being agencies to provide support and guidance to adoptive, kin and customary care parents on their lifelong journey parenting their children? Are you passionate about family engagement and providing needed supports to parents and caregivers, reducing isolation and normalizing their experience? Do you have a strong relationship building capacity and a keen interest in ensuring permanency for children? If flexible hours and the opportunity to work with an organization committed to supporting marginalized communities are important to you, then Adopt4Life is looking for you!  

Adopt4Life 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 

Adopt4Life—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.  

We are committed to developing and maintaining a locally and culturally representative Parent2Parent Support Network for all those providing permanency to children, by offering group and individualized support for their needs. Adopt4Life 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.  

Program Director, Parent2Parent Support Network 

Position Summary 

We are looking for a dynamic, self-motivated individual with relevant lived experience with adoption, kinship, or customary care parenting, and advocating for access to services to meet child(ren)’s unique needs. The individual will deliver 1:1 peer supports via the Parent2Parent Support Network program (a peer-based model) in their region, collaborating with families and system partners to build a network of diverse and culturally appropriate resources and service providers who support families on their parenting journey.  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 

15 hours/week with remote and flexible work hours. 

Core Competencies 

• Knowledge of equity and a track record of using an anti-oppressive/anti-racist practice framework 

• Stress Management and self-care 

• Building Collaborative Relationships 

• Initiative 

• Communications 

• Teamwork 

• Planning and Organizing 

• Problem Solving 

• Empowering and Developing Others 

• Self Confidence 

• Accountability and Dependability 

• Ethics and Integrity 

Job Duties and Key Responsibilities include 

• Developing and maintaining a collaborative relationship with child welfare professionals from local Children’s Aid Societies and Indigenous Family Well-being Agencies 

• Providing support to adoptive, kinship and customary care families during all stages of the permanency process, using an anti-racist anti-oppressive framework 

• Advocating alongside parents/caregivers with schools, service providers, local CAS’, and empowering families with the tools to self-advocate 

• Maintaining accurate and timely records of activities and support provided in an organizational database 

• Helping families locate culturally appropriate services, such as therapists, medical professionals, tutors, and respite providers, for emotional and/or professional support 

• Referring families to the Ombudsman, and other adoption-affiliated or partner organizations when they are experiencing high levels of stress or are in crisis 

• Attending scheduled and ad hoc case conference meetings 

• Working cooperatively with team members including consulting with one another 

• Ongoing professional development to ensure a strong understanding of issues faced by adoptive, kinship and customary care families 

• Facilitating monthly parent support group meetings 

• Providing support to existing local support groups 

• Representing Adopt4Life at local adoption, kinship and customary care related events, including local / regional Adoption Resource Exchange 

• Planning and coordinating a variety of education, outreach and public awareness efforts; this may include identifying potential guest speakers for events, hosting webinars and/or presenting on Adopt4Life to local agencies and organizations 

• Organizing or collaborating in holding social or fundraising events for/with community parents and caregivers 

• Promoting and developing community partnerships and networks with adoption and kinship workers, public and private adoption agencies, and family well-being agencies, adoption practitioners and licensees, mental health service providers, public health, child development agencies and medical professionals 

Job Specifics 

• Above-average understanding of, and the ability to navigate, the public adoption system, including the unique characteristics of kinship and customary care 

• Knowledgeable 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: 

• Post-secondary education in Social Work, Psychology, Education, or the equivalent combination of education and/or peer and advocacy support experience  

• Lived experience as an adoptive, kinship or customary care parent/caregiver or touched by permanency arrangements in another significant way 

• Lived experience sourcing, navigating, and advocating for support services and trauma informed therapies to meet children’s needs throughout their ages and stages 

• Demonstrated understanding of anti-racism, including anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism, equity and the issues impacting these communities 

• Knowledge of the experiences of marginalized communities within the child welfare system will be considered an asset  

• Experience providing service to African Canadian, Indigenous, and other racialized children, youth, and families considered an asset 

• Experience and/or knowledge related to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), developmental trauma, and/or attachment disorders 

• Ability to participate in stakeholder groups/consultations 

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders including service providers, organizational leaders, and families 

• Communication skills both written and verbal in English, with fluency in French an asset 

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate group discussions 

• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision as well as part of a team 

• Excellent time management skills 

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing learning 

• Ability to use sound judgment and sensitivity (including cultural sensitivity) 

• Ability to abide by standards of self-care 

• Proficient with common business productivity technology and software applications, including experience/knowledge with virtual technology applications 

• Passion, integrity and energy 

Working Conditions 

Currently, and for the foreseeable future, 100% of Adopt4Life peer supports are provided virtually at this time in order to maintain safe social distancing practices for individuals and groups, due to Covid-19. This may change without notice, following the most current government and medical guidelines. 

• 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

• Gross Salary $18,159 for 15hrs per week role

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.

Recruitment and Selection Process 

Please note that only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. 

In order to be considered for a Regional Parent Liaison 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 jobs@adopt4life.com 

Note 

Adopt4Life 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. Adopt4Life prioritize hires from the communities we serve, balanced with a critical need for a diversity of marginalized experiences. 

Adopt4Life 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 Adopt4Life Accessibility Policies. Applicants can make accommodation requests for the interview or selection process known in advance by contacting the Associate Director, Erin Ingard Rau at erin(at)adopt4life(dot)com.