As a family support worker with the Youth and Family Services of the Terrace and District Community Services Society (TDCSS), Michael Carlyle works one-on-one with people aged 5-19, helping them meet their needs. short and long term. Young people come to Michael for all sorts of reasons – some are facing a crisis and need short-term support, some have been referred after problems at school, some are looking for support after noticing delays in development.
Each client has a different reason for seeking help, and Michael and the team of TDCSS Family Support Workers enjoy finding unique solutions for each individual.
“We look for the best opportunity to impact the individual in the short and long term. Each client is an individual and we look at that client’s specific needs. With five children, we can use five different methods – that’s is so important to us that we have a whole toolbox to make a positive impact every day.
It’s not just the tools that change, but also the location. Some clients may come to Youth and Family Services offices to work on their skills, some do best working inside the school, and others participate while in the community.
“We’ve met clients at school over the year, and now, in the summer, we have the opportunity to practice those skills in the community,” says Michael.
Support for the whole family
Prior to starting his work with TDCSS, Michael worked in the aquatics field, where he also empowered people to achieve their goals.
“In aquatics and in my current role, I work with young people and also with the whole family. If I am working on a skill like executive functioning with a client, I will also share this information with family or school caregivers. The goal is to have the best impact on the customer.
One of the skills Michael and other family support workers work on with clients is self-monitoring – to help clients identify their current needs and find ways to meet them. It’s a skill that support workers often use on their own, whether it’s reassessing a client’s needs and updating their plan of care or collaborating to find creative solutions.
“We have a great group of employees who work together and focus on the needs of the individual. An example would be the ability to bounce ideas off of each other. We all have individual experiences and this helps to meet the needs of the client. »
Access to youth and family services is by referral, through the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Nisga’a Family Services and Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services (NIFCS). Learn more at tdcss.ca, call (250) 635-3178, email info@tdcss.ca, follow them on Facebook or stop by the main office at 101-3219 Eby St.
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