York Region Children’s Aid Society
Year 1 Practicum
January to May 2025
Name of Practicum Site, Unit or Program:
York Region Children’s Aid Society
Location: Kindship Services Placement
Main Office: 16915 Leslie Street (Kennedy Place) Newmarket, ON L3Y 9A1
Richmond Hill Office: 120 East Beaver Creek Road, Suite 301, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4V1
Vaughan Office: 3901 Highway 7 West, Suite 202 Woodbridge, ON L4L 8L5
Description of the practicum site and student activities:
York Region Children’s Aid Society (CAS) is a child welfare agency with a mandate to protect children and assist families to ensure children are safe and risk free from abuse and neglect. The agency provides direct intervention, including assessment, support services and other relevant services for a culturally diverse client population in York Region.
SUMMARY OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Child Youth and Family Wellbeing Student Mentor, the Kinship Services Student will work within the area of Kinship Services, and may be asked to perform any of the following responsibilities with the direct support of their Student Mentor:
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in finding loving kin and kith connections for children and youth who are receiving service from the Society.
- Help to create a lifelong support system for children and youth.
- In collaboration with your student mentor, utilize various techniques to locate kin and kith including thorough reviews of relevant case files and various databases.
- Assist with engaging with and screening identified kin and kith as possible emotional and legal permanency options for children and youth.
- Support the development of genograms.
- Support the completion of background checks.
- Participate in and help to facilitate interviews with children and youth, the referral source, caregiver(s), initially identified relatives, kin and kith, and other identified individuals.
- Support the completion of paternity testing.
- Assist with the facilitation of family network meetings.
- Maintain accurate and complete records and data related to service activity.
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
- Knowledge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices and principles, including sensitivity to Indigenous, Black, racialized, gender, and disability-related issues and their intersection(s) with other identities including socio-economic status, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, etc.
- Thorough understanding of, and ability to practice, a strength-based, anti-oppressive and culturally sensitive approach with children, youth, their parents, and extended family (kin and kith).
- Excellent interpersonal and engagement skills.
- Excellent written skills to document information in a clear, concise, and accurate manner as well as demonstrated skills in report writing.
- Excellent computer and research skills.
- Ability to utilize online genogram programs.
- Ability to complete recordings and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
- Self-Motivating and ability to work independently as well as demonstrated flexibility in working effectively in unplanned situations.
Practicum Requirements:
(Click on all the boxes that apply.)
☐ Immunizations per PHA Guidelines
☐ N95 Respirator/Mask Fitting
☐ Covid Vaccinations
☐ Influenza Vaccination (Flu shot)
☒ Police Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
☒ Driver’s License
☒ Use of Own Car
☐ Travel by public transportation between home visits, or satellite offices, or community meetings, etc.
☒ Comfort working with the population being served
☐ Comprehensive report writing and documentation
☐ Lived experience/Current member of the community being served
☐ Evening attendance
☐ Weekend attendance
☐ Changing shift attendance
☐ Language (specify in field below)
Other requirements:
A satisfactory vulnerable sector check, a class “G” driver’s license with daily access to an insured vehicle, and proof of COVID-19 vaccination (2 doses required), as per YRCAS’ Mandatory COVID-19 policy.
York Region Children’s Aid Society works in a hybrid virtual and on-site working environment.
Is this practicum in-person, remote or hybrid?
hybrid
Will this practicum involve direct work or a mix of direct and indirect?
direct
Number of practicums offered: 1
Application deadline: October 2, 2024
Do you require a resume? Or resume and cover letter?
Resume only
Accessibility Considerations:
- Will the student have access to a private space for notes or computer use? Yes
- Are there breaks between clients/patients/meetings? Yes
- Is the practicum considered fast-paced? Fast
- Is there a high noise level in the practicum? Medium
- Is the site wheelchair accessible? Yes
- What are the physical demands of the practicum? Sitting, standing, walking, driving.
If you are interested in this practicum, please send a resume to human.resources@yorkcas.org no later than 11:59PM October 2nd, 2024. Please quote job posting #2024-STU-10 Kinship Services Student. Please email miri.ben.dat@utoronto.ca to indicate that you have applied.