SUDBURY BETTER BEGINNINGS BETTER FUTURES
JOB DESCRIPTION
In accordance with the personnel policies of Better Beginnings Better Futures, the following opportunity is being posted internally and externally for the position of Family Resource Worker. Applicants must be graduates of the Child and Youth Care, Social Work, or Early Childhood Education programs. Better Beginnings Better Futures is an equal opportunity employer and aims to select the best qualified individual for each position.
The agency is committed to selecting employees who demonstrate alignment with its mission and goals, uphold high standards of character, and possess the capacity and willingness to learn and grow. Candidates must also meet the qualifications outlined in the job description.
The agency supports a policy of internal promotion and professional development. In practice, all permanent positions will be posted. Internal and external postings may occur simultaneously, based on operational requirements.
This is a contract position, from August 25 th , 2025, to June 26 th , 2026, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, some evenings are required and one Saturday per month to work within the EarlyON Child and Family Centre.
We would like to thank everyone who applies for this position; only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Interested applicants have until 4 pm, Friday, August 18 th to submit a cover letter and a resume to Johanne Thompson, Manager of Family and Youth Programs via mail to Better Beginnings Better Futures, 450 Morin Ave, Sudbury, ON, P3C 5H6 c/o Johanne Thompson, in person or through email at johannet@betterbeginningssudbury.ca .
General job description attached
Position: Family Resource Worker
Responsible to: Manager of Family and Youth Programs
Position Summary:
The Family Resource Worker creates welcoming, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate environments for children (0–6 years) and their caregivers. Through play-based learning, group activities, and responsive support, the Facilitator promotes healthy child development and strengthens positive adult-child relationships. This role involves planning and delivering engaging programming, modeling positive interactions, and connecting families to resources and community supports in alignment with the “How Does Learning Happen?” framework.
Purpose of the Position:
1. Support Child Development:
- Create age-appropriate learning opportunities that align with “How Does Learning
Happen?”—Ontario’s pedagogical framework.
- Model positive interactions and support developmental milestones through play-based learning.
2. Strengthen Parenting Skills:
- Provide resources, workshops, and informal support to caregivers to build confidence and
knowledge with parenting.
- Offer strategies for behavior guidance, routine-building, and managing common parenting
challenges.
3. Enhance Family Well-being:
- Build trusting relationships with families, offering emotional support and referrals to relevant
community services (e.g., housing, food security, mental health, or prenatal care).
- Identify and support families who may be experiencing stress, isolation, or financial hardship.
4. Promote Social Inclusion and Community Belonging:
- Create inclusive, culturally sensitive, and non-judgmental spaces for families from diverse
backgrounds.
- Facilitate connections between families, encouraging peer support and community engagement.
5. Coordinate and Facilitate Programming:
- Plan and lead engaging playgroups, early learning activities, community outings, and parent
education sessions.
- Ensure programming is responsive to the interests and needs of the families served.
6. Act as a Bridge to Services:
- Collaborate with other community organizations, Indigenous cultural educators, and other
partners.
- Help families navigate child care systems, health care, early intervention etc.
General Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Qualifications:
- Social Worker Diploma or Degree
- Child and Youth Care Diploma or Degree
- Early Childhood Education diploma - Registered member of the College of Early Childhood
Educators of Ontario.
- Valid Standard First Aid and Level “C” CPR.
- Negative criminal records background check.
- Valid driver’s license.
Knowledge
The incumbent must have proficient knowledge in the following areas:
- Knowledge and understanding of the Ontario Early years Policy Framework and How Does
Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years (Ontario’s Early Years Policy
Framework, How Does Learning Happen, the Vision/Mission and policies of BBBF and in
compliance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and Ontario Regulation
137/15 (hereafter O. Reg. 137/15 or the Regulation).
- Knowledge of EarlyON Child and Family Centres for children and youth.
- An understanding of the Donovan/Flour Mill neighbourhoods and the Greater City of Sudbury
- Understand the issues, stereotypes and stigmas surrounding pregnant and parenting teens
- Understand the determinants of health
- Understand the issues that surround poverty
- Group facilitation
- Strong knowledge of community resources.
Skills
The incumbent must demonstrate the following skills:
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Basic counseling skills
- Basic accounting skills
- Computer skills including the ability to operate computerized accounting, spreadsheet, word-
processing, graphics and website development at a highly proficient level
- Stress management skills
- Strong time management skills
- Ability and aptitude to multi-task
- Leadership skills
Accountability
The incumbent must also demonstrate the following areas of accountability:
- Show adherence to SBBBF bi-laws, procedures and guidelines.
- Show consistently responsible behavior.
- Demonstrate reliable and responsible work.
- Keep the Program Manager and relevant others informed as to status of their respective
areas of responsibility.
- Accept advice and direction graciously from the Manager of Family and Youth Programs.
- Decisions outside of the normal area of responsibilities are to be discussed with the
appropriate authority.
- Seek supervision when questions arise or may be forthcoming.
- Inform the Manager of Family and Youth Programs of events that may be problematic and
discuss viable solutions.
- Show appropriate diligence to duties.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Able to facilitate parenting groups.
2. Schedule, prepare and plan activities within the EarlyON Child and Family Centres
3. Recruit, train and oversee student and volunteers.
4. Prepare monthly program reports, record information on and prepare reports concerning
programming, costs, numbers of participants and equipment and facility use.
5. Ensure that all programming and activities are implemented according to the policies and
procedures.
6. Be knowledgeable in parenting education and parent/child resources available within the
Greater City of Sudbury.
7. Ability to handle various difficult or crisis situations in a professional and productive
manner.
8. Understand the causes of poverty and the effects it has on families within our
community.
9. Able to work as part of a team and work independently.
Main Activities
1. Gathers information relevant to the client’s challenges, barriers, needs and risks
by process of intake, meeting with families and service providers. Assesses the
information gathered to identify family challenges, needs and risks.
2. Strong knowledge and experience with group facilitation.
3. Provide support, guidance and problem-solving to families to address issues
related to family functioning in an individual or group setting using techniques
such as active listening, conflict resolution, basic group and individual counselling
techniques as methods to resolve the identified needs and risks.
4. Provide support with community resources in regard to housing applications,
childcare processes, transitions out of homelessness, and transitions from C.A.S.
care to independent living, court support etc…
5. Provide information on and referral to other community service providers,
resources and professionals as required.
6. Provides parenting skill building to clients on issues such as parent-child
interaction, child development, and other parenting topics.
7. Networking with other professionals within the community
8. To participate in the planning of monthly calendars.
9. To participate on various committees and community meetings.
10. To have a good understanding of various social media platforms for promotional purposes.
11. Other duties as directed.
Working Conditions
Physical Demands
The Family Resource Worker may deliver programs in a variety of locations and may have to transport, lift and carry equipment and supplies that weigh approx. 30 pounds. The Family Resource Worker will have to spend long hours sitting and using office equipment and computers, which can cause muscle strain, and may also be involved in several high energy activities.
Environmental Conditions
The Family Resource Worker may have to manage several projects at one time, and may be interrupted frequently to meet the needs of youth and the organization. The Family Resource Worker may find the environment to be busy, noisy and will need excellent organizational, time and stress management skills to complete the required tasks.
Mental Demands
The Family Resource Worker deals with families who can, from time to time, be demanding and challenging. The Family Resource Worker must remain patient and committed to the activities and may have to engage in conflict resolution or crisis management at times.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent(s) of this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and activities required of the position.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 10 months
Expected hours: 35 per week
Work Location: In person