Family Wellness Worker Support

Family Wellness Worker (FWW)

The primary function of the FWW is to provide social and emotional support to students and families. FWW's meet with students and parents to assess needs, identify required supports, and plan appropriate interventions. In addition to individual support, FWW's may also coordinate group programming for students and educational opportunities for parents. FWW's also play a key role in enhancing positive mental health, supporting emotional regulation, and crisis response.

How do referrals work?

Referrals to a FWW may be made by students, family, and teachers or school administration. In terms of school staff referrals, the referent will have discussed the concerns and reasons for the referral to the Family Wellness program with the family prior to making the referral to the FWW. The FWW will have a conversation with the individual referring, in order to determine the primary concerns and identify the most appropriate ways to provide support. After receiving a referral, the FWW will follow up with the family and determine if the need(s) are best met through the mandate of the program. If the family agrees to the referral, a parental consent form will be sent to the parents to sign for the FWW to meet with their child. 

A student or family can contact the FWW anytime to discuss a referral to the Family Wellness program. The FWW will discuss with the student and the family the reason for the referral and how to best support the student's social and emotional needs at school. As mentioned above, a parental consent form will be sent to the parents to sign for the FWW to meet with their child. 

It is important to note that a FWW may determine that a student’s needs may be best met through an outside agency or community support - a referral to a FWW does not automatically mean that a student will be seen individually by the FWW on an ongoing basis. A vital role of the FWW is assisting in accessing/referring to community support. 

Informed Consent:

If it is determined that a student and/or family would benefit from FWW support, the next step is to obtain the initial informed consent. Obtaining informed consent requires conversation about the reason for referral and types of services that the FWW can and cannot provide. It also involves disclosure about the following limits to confidentiality:

● For supervision purposes (consulting with Family Wellness Clinical Supervisor)

● If there is a risk of imminent danger to the child/youth, a family member, or anyone

else

● If there is disclosure of abuse or a child/youth in need of protection (as per reporting

requirements under child protection legislation)

● If there is a legal requirement to disclose

Prior to a student receiving regular services from the FWW, the legal guardian(s) must first sign a consent form. Please note that in parental separations or custody cases, the FWW will confirm which parent, or if both parents, must sign the form. Although consent is required for ongoing services, it would not be deemed unreasonable for an FWW to meet with a student once without informed consent from the guardian(s). For example: when providing support in a crisis situation, or when a student self-refers and the FWW wants to gather more information to determine if the Family Wellness Program would be a good fit.

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School-wide or classroom presentations facilitated by the FWW do NOT require consent from the student or parents/guardian. However, guardians must be contacted for permission before their child participates in any targeted educational or therapeutic groups being offered by the FWW.

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If you have further questions about the Family Wellness Worker role and responsibilities, please call the school or connect with our FWW.

Community Resources:

Here are links to some of our great community agencies.

Saffron Centre, 780-449-0900, https://www.saffroncentre.com/ 

Family and Community Services Strathcona County, 780-464-4044, https://www.strathcona.ca/council-county/administration/departments/family-and-community-services/ 

Addiction and Mental Health - Intake Services Child and Adolescent (at SP hospital), 780-342-4415, https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/findhealth/service.aspx?Id=1001856&facilityId=1046902 

Big Brothers Big Sisters, 780-424-8181, https://bbbsstrathcona.ca/ 

BGS Youth Canteen Hub, 780-416-1500, https://www.scbgc.com/programs/youth-programs/