Extended Job Opportunity.

Position:              Infant Wellness Worker                                                               Term:   Contract

Department:      Child Welfare                                                                            Location: Fort Albany, ON

Salary Range:   TBD                                                                                                Hours:     35 Hours per week    

Reports to: Prevention Team Supervisor                                              

Posting Date: September 5, 2025                                                                            Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Position Summary

The Infant & Child Wellness Worker is responsible for delivering programs and services that promote family wellness beginning prenatally and continuing through infancy and toddlerhood. This position focuses on supporting families in the community by fostering early child development and building strong, healthy caregiver-child relationships.

The Infant & Child Wellness Program is a key component of the broader Prevention Program, which aims to reduce the involvement of child welfare services and the number of children in care. The program achieves this by:

1. Providing support, education, and awareness to families from the earliest stages of a child’s life.
2. Helping parents and caregivers navigate and support their children through critical early developmental milestones.

In cases where families are already involved with child welfare, the Wellness Worker collaborates with caregivers to address and resolve concerns contributing to child welfare involvement.

Program Components

The Infant & Child Wellness Program provides both one-to-one family support and community-based programming, including:

• In-home services: Direct support to families in their home environment.
• Community programming: Parenting groups, wellness activities, and educational sessions.

The length of engagement with families depends on their unique needs and family wellness goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Receive and respond to referrals; connect with families and build trust.
• Develop a Family Wellness Plan tailored to the family's goals and needs.
• Provide in-home support, including:
  • Household organization and cleaning
  • Meal planning and preparation
  • Establishing daily routines
  • Budgeting and life skills
  • Parenting support and education
• Facilitate therapeutic and culturally appropriate activities for caregivers and children.
• Connect families with appropriate programs, referrals, and supports, including financial assistance where needed (e.g., baby essentials pantry, Support Services budget).
• Administer Ages & Stages Questionnaires and assist in Developmental Support Planning as needed (Nurturing the Seed approach).
• Deliver consistent, community-based parenting and wellness programming, such as:
  • Making the Connection
  • Calm Cool Connected
  • Healthy Family Kitchen
  • Talk & Task
  • Pre/Post-natal Voucher Programs
• Deliver presentations and awareness activities on:
  • Infant and early childhood mental health
  • Maternal/paternal mental health
  • Nutrition and healthy eating
  • Family bonding and attachment
  • Importance of screen time and routines
• Collaborate with local organizations and partners to promote family wellness initiatives (e.g., National Addictions Awareness Week, Mental Health Week).

Qualifications and Assets

• Bachelor of Child Development, Early Childhood Educator diploma or certificate.
• Experience or training in early childhood development, social work, community wellness, or related fields.
• Strong knowledge of parenting, child development, and culturally relevant wellness practices.
• Experience collaborating with Indigenous communities is an asset.
• Fluent in Omushkegowuk Cree is an asset.
• Effective communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid driver’s licence with clear driver’s abstract.

Interested applicants are asked to submit three references from recent supervisors, along with a cover letter, and resume, to: hrgeneralist@fortalbany.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.