FamilySmart® Parent in Residence

Part-Time Position at Foundry Richmond

Who We Are

FamilySmart® is a non-profit that works to enhance the experience and quality of services, support and information for children and youth with mental health challenges, and their families or the caring adults in their lives.

Position Summary

The FamilySmart Parent in Residence (PiR) is a parent and/or caring adult who has their own lived experience parenting a child, youth or young adult with a mental health challenge. Lived experience is the foundation of all of FamilySmart service offerings. When young people are struggling with their mental health, they – along with their families or the caring adults in their lives – are helped when people with lived experience come alongside them to listen, to care, to know and to understand what it’s like for them and assist them in getting quality services, information and support.

What You'll Do as a FamilySmart Parent in Residence at Foundry Richmond

As a PiR, you will draw on your own experience of parenting a youth or young adult living with a mental health challenge to offer peer support, information, system navigation, education and mentoring to other families in Richmond at Foundry - either in person, by phone or through email.

• Work on-site at Foundry as a core team member responsible for connecting with and supporting families;

• Meet with and support families during drop-in hours at Foundry Richmond;

• Listen to and assist families and other caring adults to articulate what their family needs and help focus on their strengths;

• Help families to find information and resources that might be helpful;

• Support families to work well with the professionals who are providing services to their youth/young adult;

• Support families to prepare for meetings and debrief with them, as requested;

• Host and facilitate 1 x “In the Know” – a monthly information and support opportunity for all families in Richmond;

• Work collaboratively with Foundry Richmond staff, as well as, community and hospital-based mental health teams to build relationships between families, youth, young adults and systems;

• Work closely with Foundry Richmond team to enhance the awareness of the needs of families and identify solutions to issues;

• Participate in all facets of FamilySmart Staff Growth Program

• Assist with group facilitation;

• Participate in Foundry network training and practice support, including community of practice;

• Participate in Foundry toolbox training and reporting;

• Participate in Foundry network activities/responsibilities/meetings in Richmond;

• Work with collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team to meet the goals and objectives and help facilitate family peer support meetings and activities;

• Support, promote and attend monthly Parent Advisory Council Meetings at Foundry Richmond;

• Submit monthly reports as required;

• Participate in FamilySmart team meetings and retreats.

• Attend all required training provided by Foundry and FamilySmart

• Other responsibilities as determined

Things we’ll love about you: Knowledge, skills and abilities

• You are, or have recently been, a parent or caregiver of a youth or young adult with mental health challenges

• You have strong written and interpersonal communication skills in Cantonese/Mandarin and English

• You have the ability to apply appropriate boundaries

• You can maintain confidentiality

• You know how to establish and maintain rapport with families and caregivers

• You know how to establish and maintain rapport with service providers

• You have strong relationship building skills

• You are willing to share what you know and to continue learning with and from others

• You are able to raise concerns or suggestions in a way that enables greater outcomes

• You are empathetic and compassionate towards others

• You have experience facilitating small group conversations and are comfortable with public speaking

• You practice self-care and seek or accept help when needed

• You are organized and have a strong work ethic

• You are reliable and punctual for shifts and meetings

• You have a positive attitude

• You have the ability to work with diverse populations

• Basic computer skills: experience with Microsoft Office, Adobe, Excel, Gmail

Other Requirements

• Successful candidates must pass a Criminal Record Check

• Orientation and Training period prior to starting work

Compensation and Hours

Hourly rate: $20/hour + benefits

Hours: Part-time 21 hours per week

Please send resume and cover letter to Robin Brown, Director, Human Resources at careers@familysmart.ca Subject line: Parent in Residence – Foundry Richmond

*Please note that the assessment of applicants will be made on an ongoing basis and continue until a hire is made.