Family Engagement Coordinator

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Kickstand’s mission is to transform the way that young people (12-25yo) in Alberta access services and to ensure that young people and their families/caregivers are being provided with evidence-based and trauma-informed health, mental health, and social services. Kickstand is founded on an integrated youth services model, which seeks to bring together a range of primary care, mental health, substance use and social services, all under one roof. Our work is predicated on intentional partnerships with the philanthropic community, research institutions and community-based, youth-serving organizations across Alberta. We hope to transform access to care by aligning existing youth services in such a way that young people and their families/caregivers can experience every door as the right door, as they navigate Alberta’s health system.

Kickstand is for young people, but we know that many young people have family members and caregivers who want to help them every step of the way. In other words, engaging and working alongside families/caregivers is a core pillar of the organization. 

SUMMARY

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Family Engagement Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that Kickstand’s Provincial Implementation Team and centres stay committed to meaningful family engagement and provide an exemplary family/caregiver experience. Working in collaboration with other team members, this position focuses on the development, implementation, delivery, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the family/caregiver experience at Kickstand, an initiative with the goal of providing young people and their families/caregivers with enhanced access to integrated health services, thereby easing transition points for youth and their caregivers. The position will develop and maintain standards by ensuring the needs and perspectives of families/caregivers are championed in the organization’s decision-making and strategic planning. The Family Engagement Coordinator will create policies, guidelines and standards of practice for family/caregiver participation at all levels of the organization.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• In close collaboration with the Communication Coordinator, ensure that Kickstand’s engagement with families/caregivers informs the Kickstand brand, and that the client experience, across the network, meets brand standards, informs communications strategies and initiatives, identifies opportunities to improve the client experience, and rolls out client experience initiatives across various program areas
• ·In close collaboration with the Kickstand Provincial Implementation Team, lead the Society to become more family/caregiver-centered, ensure staff understands the perspectives and needs of youth and their families/caregivers and support the design and implementation of internal staff training to accomplish this objective
• Provide leadership in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of family/caregiver experience measurement and feedback methods to inform organizational and local quality improvement initiatives and support innovation to improve client experience across the provincial network by ensuring families/caregivers are involved throughout
• Advocate for the needs of families/caregivers both internally (ensuring their voices are heard in the development and design of projects and initiatives) and externally (in collaboration with the Communication Coordinator, ensuring their voices are amplified and informing advocacy-related communications strategies with the goal of improving the wellness of youth and young adults), in accordance with Kickstand’s vision of transforming systems to improve access to services
• Develop and implement a structure, policies and processes that ensure the voices of families/caregivers are heard at the system, regional, and local levels, including the development and implementation of network-wide family/caregiver advisory committees and working groups and ensuring that local advisory committees and groups are supported and are operating in accordance with Kickstand’s standards
• In collaboration with various program areas, implement and measure brand experience and identify opportunities to proactively tailor services and activities to meet the needs of families/caregivers, and lead the development of brand experience tools and training programs as required, and an implementation plan for the Kickstand central office and centres
• In collaboration with the Communication Coordinator, work across communication and marketing channels to develop and launch campaigns to help enhance and improve the family/caregiver experience with Kickstand and involvement with the brand; as part of this, participate in planning meetings and developing strategies to ensure Kickstand’s research is informing communication initiatives by ensuring conference presentations and research publications are embedded in communications planning
• Analyze issues, trends, and opportunities to develop, implement, and evaluate experience strategies to improve service and achieve goals, and prioritize, co-design and implement innovative experience practices
• Drive deliberate, disciplined design and delivery of experiences to families/caregivers by ensuring staff and service providers within the Kickstand central office and across the network understand and are committed to the Kickstand brand and client experience, and by creating indicators to measure progress
• Create connections between family/caregiver experiences and advocate for the integration they require, while identifying and strategizing the removal of barriers whether technical, structural, or normative
• Championing family/caregiver perspectives in the organizational strategic planning and decision-making by developing and implementing standards and practices for family/caregiver participation at all levels of the organization including governance
• Identify opportunities and develop strategies to enhance organizational culture and communications, such as journey-mapping and orientation processes, ensuring Kickstand is a person-centered organization

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience

• Some post-secondary schooling or equivalent level of education, training, and experience in a health-related discipline, with at least one year of recent related experience in a complex healthcare environment including experience in client and community engagement, communications and project management.

• Experience working with youth and families/caregivers with lived and living experience of mental health and substance use concerns, with the healthcare system, is considered an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve with a global perspective to incorporate Kickstand’s systems and strategies when developing viable solutions to problem

• Proven ability to approach issues with client and solution-focused methods, finding creative and proactive ways to improve services

• Ability to build strong, positive relationships and effectively work with various stakeholders in a consultative and collaborative manner

• Ability to perform effectively in a complex, changing environment and lead and support change

• Ability to orient self strategically to the future by continually scanning the environment for ideas, leading practices, and emerging trends that will shape the system

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

• Demonstrated analytical, systems and critical thinking and problem-solving skills with the ability to plan, organize and prioritize work within tight timelines

• Proactively seeking to continuously learn the latest skills and research on related topics through courses, training, literature reviews, and educational opportunities

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position

Additional Information about the Role

• Compensation will depend on experience and fit for the position.

• This is a hybrid position with some required in-person meetings and flexibility to work from home.

• This role is a flexible, part-time contract role.
• This role is paid hourly up to 40 hours/month at $26/hr. 
• Some daytime availability is required.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change when required.