Jennifer Tevelein
Kinship Adoption Worker
Designation and Experience
B.A. (Sociology) and Certificate in Criminology from the University of Windsor (1993).
I have been working with children and families in the Social Work field for over 17 years in Ontario and Alberta. I started off my career as a Child and Youth Counsellor in group homes with high-risk children and teens and recognized the need for early intervention and parenting education. After a move to Banff (I only planned on staying 6 months 15 years ago!) I became involved in the school system as a Behaviour Support Worker. After meeting my husband and making the move to Calgary, I continued my work with families in high risk-risk situations as a Child and Youth Counsellor and Family Support Worker. This led to an opportunity to supervise an in-home support (early intervention) program. As a program supervisor, I experienced a lot of growth in cultural awareness, family functioning, parenting education, risk prevention, community resources and the strength-based approach with staff and families.
What inspires you?
My kids
Motivated families who are willing to change their path and provide a new opportunity to a child; regardless of the challenges that this choice may bring
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Putting myself through University while working 3 part-time jobs
What are your Hobbies or interests?
Camping, reading, running on the treadmill and after my kids
Why should people come to Adoption by Choice?
To gain personalized support and guidance. In KAP, with smaller caseloads it is hoped that we will reduce barriers to permanency towards the finalization of a kinship adoption.
What attracted you to ABC?
I had the pleasure of working with our Director Ramone in a previous position and knew this was a great opportunity to expand and grow in the field of Social Work. I knew that I would be able to utilize the strength-based approach while moving families towards permanency in the KAP program.
The agency has given me the opportunity to work part-time which enables me to balance work and my responsibilities as a mother of two young children.
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