Head Start Outreach Worker/ Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) Aide

Reports to: Head Start Manager

Wage: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Job type: Permanent full-time – 7 hours per day, 35 hours per week, 9:30-5:30

Job location: 9010 West Saanich Road, North Saanich BC.

Process: email cover letter and resume to Lori Fitzgerald, CPHR at lori@pauquachin.com

Closing Date: posting will remain open until the position is filled

The Health Department:

Pauquachin First Nation's Health Team serves community members in reaching their highest state of holistic wellness through culturally supportive programs and services. We work with an “any door is the right door” mindset to help community members access supports related to any of the Social Determinants of Health.

The Opportunity:

The Head Start Outreach Worker/COHI Aide provides developmentally appropriate programming for children and families within the Pauquachin First Nation (PFN). The Head Start Outreach Worker/COHI Aide is also responsible for referring families to the appropriate services throughout the community, assisting health providers, and maintaining up to date information for families to access.

The successful Head Start Outreach Worker applicant will undergo training to perform the duties of the Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) Aide two days per month. The COHI Aide serves as the oral health champion in the community and is responsible for supporting and encouraging families in making oral health and oral care a regular part of family life, and in making healthy choices when caring for their young children.

Head Start Outreach Worker Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Incorporates the Hul’q’umi’num cultural ceremonies, tradition, customs and language into all programs where appropriate;

  • Connects with families including home visits for parents of preschool youngsters and to infants/pre-school aged children to assess their development;

  • Offers home instruction such as parents support, training and materials to enable parents to engage in effective, developmental and fun activities with their children in their own homes;

  • Conducts screenings and assessments and discusses child development and positive parenting practice with clients;

  • Develops, coordinates, and runs weekly and bi-weekly programs and drop in programs such as Baby programs or Tot programs;

  • Coordinates drop in programs with other W̱sáneć Nations and partners as required;

  • Assists with the delivery and supervision of after school programs;

  • Assembles and delivers newborn baby welcome kits;

  • Develops and delivers family workshops and technical training such as car seats training;

  • Performs the duties of the Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) Aide as required;

  • Ensures outreach program initiatives are in alignment with the needs and priorities of the community;

  • Works with the Head Start Cook to coordinate snack preparation for program attendees;

  • Networks with neighboring organizations who provide supports to PFN children and families such as Nil/Tu’O, Friendship Centres, Holy Trinity Church, Surrounded by Cedar, as well as other neighbouring communities;

  • Offers up-to-date resource materials and lists of generic services to families;

  • Provides children and families referrals to external agencies, internal services, Traditional Knowledge Holders and Healers and other culturally relevant resources;

  • Receives and responds to daily inquiries;

  • Provides daily and weekly updates to the Manager;

  • Prepares and shares program information through a variety of ways including websites, social media, brochures, community maps and newsletter submissions;

  • Documents and maintains electronic client records as per the provided document tracking forms (i.e.: EMR, incident reports, workplans);

  • Prepares funding proposals for outreach programs and initiatives;

  • Ensures client, family, and community confidentiality and privacy;

  • Maintains detailed records of all programs for reporting purposes;

  • Manages, tracks and reports on the spending of all program budgets;

  • Assists the Manager to develop the annual program budget and annual reporting;

Children’s Oral Health Initiative Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Enrolls families in the COHI program, collects and updates annual consent and medical histories, completes paperwork, make home and community visits;

  • Completes a COHI Work Plan and reviews it quarterly with the COHI provider and the Manager;

  • Schedules COHI screenings and assists the COHI provider in completing the screenings;

  • Follows all COHI protocols procedures and ensures COHI services are delivered in a timely fashion;

  • Helps coordinate referrals;

  • Supports dental professionals in delivering COHI services within the community such as

  • scheduling annual dental screenings and provide, as required, some COHI services independently such as fluoride varnish applications to children;

  • Prepares and/or gathers and submit COHI program information for the community newsletter;

  • Ensures cultural and local factors are considered in the delivery of COHI education, prevention and treatment services;

  • Works with parents and community groups to support children programs;

  • Develops, implements, monitors or facilitates COHI health related community workshops, events or information sessions for families such as health and career fairs and Elder lunches;

  • Promotes community wellness and acts as a liaison for the COHI services for the community;

  • Prepares, submits and reports on COHI programs as required by the Manager;

  • Maintains electronic and hard copy filing systems including all appropriate client records and charts;

What we require from you:

  • Certificate or Diploma in Early Childhood Development, or Family Support Worker preferred, and

  • 2 years’ experience working with children and families; or

  • A combination of related education and experience;

  • experience developing and facilitating programs preferred;

  • Experience speaking Hul’q’umi’numlLanguage, or a willingness to learn;

  • Experience creating documents with Microsoft Office programs;

  • Experience preparing funding proposals for programs and initiatives an asset

  • Experience working as a Children’s Oral Health Initiative (COHI) Aide or willingness to undergo training;

  • Valid FoodSafe Level 1 certificate an asset or willingness to undergo training;

  • Valid WHMIS certificate an asset or willingness to undergo training;

  • Clean criminal record check with Vulnerable Sector required;

  • Valid Child Safe first aid and CPR certificate as per the Child Care Licensing requirements;

  • Valid Class 5 driver’s license, reliable vehicle and a clean driver’s abstract is required;

  • Valid Class 4 driver’s license an asset.

Why work with the Pauquachin First Nation?

By working with Pauquachin First Nation you will make an impact on the lives of our members. This is an opportunity to work for the advancement of our resilient community who seek to build a healthy, self reliant and economically strong community.

We offer competitive compensation, extended health benefit and registered pension plans, and a dynamic and friendly workplace.

Preference may be given to persons of Aboriginal ancestry and/or having knowledge of the Hul’q’umi’num’ culture and traditions.