Job Description This is an exciting time for Kinark Child and Family Services! Our Autism services are expanding, and we are looking for staff to be part of this ground-breaking growth in our business.

Kinark has been a leader in the delivery of services to children and youth with autism and their families for over 20 years. In 2019, the provincial government began to redesign their service structure, resulting in changes to the Ontario Autism Program (OAP).

Kinark has introduced a benefit that gives employees in eligible roles the opportunity to work partially or fully remote if they choose to opt-in for this benefit. This role (Foundational Service Specialist) is assessed as a Roamer position requiring minimal 3 days per week in the office unless business demands require. This role is also eligible for compressed work week program. This is a temporary position with a contract length of 1 year. Job Summary The Foundational Services Specialist is to deliver foundational family services to families of children registered in the Ontario Autism Program (OAP) including parent information sessions, service navigation, as well as supporting both foundational and fee for service clinical groups. This role will also participate in the creation of new foundational services.

You may be scheduled to work evenings, weekends, split shifts, or shorter shifts of less than 7 hours per day. You will be required to work out of other Kinark sites from time to time based on operational needs. As well, you may be assigned to work in different programs and services within the Autism division of Kinark and your primary work location may be reassigned within a 50 kilometer radius based on operational needs.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide service navigation to families that require support finding appropriate services, complete funding applications or navigate the OAP.
• Offer guidance and resources to empower families to navigate the challenges associated with ASD, including accessing community services, support groups, and advocating for their child's needs.
• Develop and present information sessions for caregivers on a variety of topics such as funding and resources, OAP info, transition to adulthood, applications support.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver social time sessions for families, children, and parents.
• Collaborate with York Simcoe Autism Network partners for foundational family service presentations.
• Plan and coordinating group ABA services.
• Create materials and activities to support clients in ABA groups (e.g., visual schedules, crafts).
• Lead group sessions that support clients in reaching program goals.
• Collect data as required during ABA groups.
• Developing rapport with and providing foundational family services to caregivers and families.
• Working in collaboration with other clinicians to provide quality service to children through skill building groups.

Qualifications

• Community college diploma in a social services field.**
• Minimum of 1 year experience providing support to families through case coordination or navigating services.
• Experience providing direct service to children using Applied Behaviour Analysis would be considered an asset.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft office.
• Knowledge of Autism and Applied Behaviour Analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a small team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to maintain accurate records and documentation.