Program Coordinator

About this position

Job Description - PROGRAM CO-ORDINATOR

Reporting to the Chairperson of the Rural Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Support Network Board of Directors, the Program Coordinator contributes directly to all elements of program communication and strategic planning, events, and activities. This position will play an integral role in the ongoing evolution of the Rural FASD Support Network of Eastern Ontario creating internal and external information about the program goals and helping to foster stakeholder and partner relationships along with community outreach. 

Vision, Mission, and Purpose

We recognize that the journey to finding workable solutions takes time and can be extremely challenging. However, we believe that with proper supports, individuals and families impacted by FASD can achieve success and reach their full potential.

Our goal is to help others navigate the complex challenges related to living with FASD.  Utilizing the lived experiences and expertise of peers, families, and professionals we focus on helping those affected by FASD access resources, services and information that can best support them.

Our purpose is to connect and provide caregivers and individuals impacted by FASD with appropriate local supports. These supports are in collaboration with medical professionals, community service providers, support groups, local media, researchers, educators, as well as government ministries and representatives.

The Program Coordinator will support the Rural FASD Support Network to scale up access to the necessary emotional, parental, educational and systems navigation tools and supports required for parents and caregivers of children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in rural counties of Eastern Ontario by offering weekly support groups, informational workshops, and referral services.

Priority Outcome: Supporting parents, guardians, and caregivers to effectively navigate, access, and influence systems that affect family well-being.

As Program Coordinator the following five (5) Change Commitments are essential in your role:                                                

1. Increase parent/caregiver/guardian knowledge of programs and services for FASD by providing system navigation and peer support from those with similar lived experience. As families living with FASD gain access to the appropriate programs and services, the burden and stress on parent/caregiver/guardian is lessened.
2. Increase parent/caregiver/guardian knowledge and understanding of FASD and its impacts on the brain. This includes an increased understanding of the best practices in parenting children with FASD and how to engage positively with their child to enhance the parent-child bond. Research confirms this is the single most important factor in achieving positive long-term outcomes for children with FASD.
3. Expand our reach in our rural area so rural parents of children with special needs do not need to travel great distances outside their home community to access supports and services
4. Reduce the sense of isolation and hopelessness parent/caregiver/guardian of children with FASD experience by using the peer support model of sharing our lived experiences to create an organic fellowship, compassion and a sense of hope.
5. Enhance collaboration and knowledge capacity between parent/caregiver/guardian and professionals and service providers in our rural communities to meet the needs of people with FASD through joint workshops and/or conferences

Functions: 

The Program Coordinator will provide outreach to employers, job seekers, incumbent workers, schools and community partners to achieve the change commitments. Functions and duties relating to this position may include but are not restricted to the following:

• Provide efficient and timeliness in responding to requests and getting parents/caregivers what they need quickly.
• Develop program registration and intake process for current and future membership, while focusing on relationship building and matching individualized family needs to our programs and services.
• Engage monthly 1:1 with parent/caregiver/guardian to enhance participation, determine connection possibilities and explore service opportunities in collaboration with FASD Workers.
• Improve and ease service delivery by other providers by having single place-based services improving accessibility.
• Connect caregivers within their communities to create smaller informal groups.
• Administer all program evaluations, assess data, and present results to Board of Directors quarterly and prepare reports for external organizations.
• Serve as main point of contact for the Rural FASD Support Network which includes responding to all queries and requests from researchers, health care providers, and collaborating with community organizations and committees.
• Organize multiple peer support groups, one in each of the major towns we serve so parents/caregivers can stay in their own community to get support.
• Stay informed of current FASD research to further FASD knowledge capacity and intervention strategies and to provide relevant information to general community about FASD, as well as our group membership.
• Offer and / or collaborate to coordinate more trainings and workshops to continue meeting the increasing demand for our FASD services.
• Manage daily operations, bookkeeping and administration including volunteer coordination, peer facilitators/mentors, event planning, reporting, etc.
• Organize in person and virtual promotion of Rural FASD Support Network and our services/programs.  
• Network and maintain relationships with community partners locally and regionally including diagnostic clinics in Ottawa and Kingston to promote referrals to our programs and services.
• Assist with hiring of a Program Assistant/Marketing
• Coordinate capacity building in Equity, Inclusivity, Diversity Planning for core members
• Other duties as may be required. 

Qualifications and Experience Required: 

The ideal candidate will possess the following: 

• Diploma in Social or Human Services, with relevant experience or equivalencies considered
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with individuals living with FASD.
• Lived experience with FASD would be valued as an asset.
• Knowledge and awareness of FASD best practices in achieving positive outcomes.
• Experience working with transition planning to adult services including implementation of the Ontario Quality Health Standard on Transition Planning.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize and multi-task efficiently, work and problem solve independently.
• Respect for the diversity of cultural differences and beliefs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license, with a reliable car, and appropriate insurance will be required.
• Ability to maintain computerized files and documentation in Google Suites.
• Ability to obtain a clear Vulnerable Sector Records Check is a pre-condition of employment.
• Flexibility in hours to meet family schedules including evening and weekend options.

Behavioural Competencies:

This role should demonstrate competence in some or all of the following:

• Ethical Behavior: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure that your own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the organization’s values. Demonstrated ability for high level of discretion and confidentiality
• Empathy and Compassion:  Genuinely seeks to understand and respect others’ perspectives and emotions; encouraging a culture of compassion, empathy, and support within the organization and community.
• Relationship Development: Demonstrated ability to network, and to build and maintain positive external relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Effective Communication: Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking; English proficiency. French language competency is a definite asset.
• Creativity and/or Innovation: Develop new and creative ways to improve the organization’s operations and create new opportunities.  offer new ideas and initiatives.
• Client Focus: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within set parameters.
• Teamwork Development: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, etc.
• Leadership: Positively influence others to achieve results and create positive culture.
• Decision-Making: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interest of the organization and the membership.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details.
• Planning: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create, and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Problem-Solving: Assess challenging situations to identify the cause, process relevant information, determine possible solutions, provide recommendations, and resolve problems.

Physical Demands and Conditions

• Ability to travel throughout Eastern Ontario, if required. Occasional driving as part of work duties.
• Ability to access rural areas that may include un-paved areas/roads/pathways.
• Occasional time outside in all weather conditions.
• Continuous extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking, and navigating up or down stairwells.

Benefits of working for the Rural FASD Support Network of Eastern Ontario

• Full time position with 37.5 hrs per week with competitive wages
• Wage range is between $20.00 to $25.00 per hour based on experience and qualifications.
• Opportunity to work directly with caregiver and individuals living with FASD to make a positive difference in their lives, outcomes, and our rural communities.
• Work to influence change in provincial and federal legislation to advance the needs of people impacted with FASD.

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