Wood’s Homes is looking for Therapeutic Caregivers/Foster Parents for our Therapeutic Foster Care Program. For this Program, we refer to our Therapeutic Caregivers/Foster Parents as Home Fire Keepers.

Locations include Grande Prairie AB, Cold Lake AB, Lac La Biche AB, Fort McMurray AB.

Program Description

Wood’s Homes Therapeutic Foster Care Program addresses the need for a culturally informed therapeutic model in which the lived experiences of Indigenous children are paramount. The Program considers cultural knowledge to be the foundation upon which family-based care is built.

The Significance of Home Fire Keepers

Home Fire Keepers is derived from the ceremonial concept of ‘tending the Home Fires.’ Tending the Home Fires reflects the aspects of building community for those who have experienced disconnection from community and culture. Our definition of Home Fire signifies a vital or creative center that keeps a feeling of connection and hope in daily life.

Culture is intrinsically embedded within our selection of Home Fire Keepers and within our efforts to collectively develop caring environments. The Home Fire Keeper will tend to the emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive development of children and youth through a cultural lens.

The sacred fire is the source to warmth, safety, and connection for a family.  The mothers and fathers focus on nurturing thoughts for their home. They treat the fire with respect and teach their children about the sacred fire.

We are taking an approach to acknowledge the care of a child as the sacred fire. The child is at the center of care and connection. The Home Fire Keeper teaches the child positive ways of being that connects them to their culture.

Using culture as treatment and culture as intervention, the Home Fire will be able to burn bright and the children will gain a felt connection to their culture within the home. The road to reclamations starts with having access to cultural knowledge and ceremonies.

Expectations

Home Fire Keepers will be fully supported by a team of youth specialist, cultural leads, and a clinician. Wood’s Homes commitment to our Home Fire Keepers is characterized by the formation of an organizational culture and caring community where Home Fire Keepers are:

• Highly valued partners and key contributors in all aspects of planning and delivery of the service as collaboration and transparency drive communication.
• Learners who strive for continuous improvement and growth.
• The center of the circle of care surrounding the child or youth with a Treatment Team united in supporting the growth and development of the child/youth.
• Responsive and relationally attuned caregivers with an understanding of trauma, healthy development, positive parenting, and quality caregiving.
• Well trained, well supported, and well-grounded in feeling safe and gaining knowledge and competence.
• Provided with knowledge, skills, proactive support, and crisis intervention 24/7 as well as regular respite.
• Supported by cultural supports including Elders, knowledge keepers, cultural allies, and community members with culturally competent response and intervention within appropriate protocols.
• Highly satisfied with the quality of support they receive, with their own sense of belonging and connection and with the positive difference, they are making.

Compensation

• Home Fire Keepers will receive tax-free daily compensation amounting to $95/child.
• Participation in training will be compensated.
• Compensatory increases based on years of service.

Requirements

• Home Fire Keepers are required to be available in their home.
• Home Fire Keepers will have previous experience caring for youth and managing challenging behaviors.
• Participation in extensive training prior to client intakes.